Shoe covers are a dime a dozen these days, right? You can buy the cheapest silicone rubber galoshes at a big box online retailer for less than you would pay for a decent meal. You could also spend a bit more on a high-quality pair from a company like GC Tech. One way or the other, shoe covers are out there for anyone who wants them.
The whole point of wearing shoe covers is to protect your shoes against weather, dirt, debris. That being the case, they will not do you much good if you don't utilize them properly. Here are five things you should never do with shoe covers, if you want them to perform as expected:
1. Leave Them at Home
This first one seems like a no-brainer, but we are all guilty of doing it. Whether it is shoe covers, an umbrella, or a raincoat, we leave home assuming that we won't need them. It's not until we find ourselves walking in the rain that we realize just how wrong we were.
If there is any chance of inclement weather whatsoever, take your shoe covers with you. They will not do you any good at home. To make things more convenient, make sure your next pair comes with a carrying bag. That will make taking them with you a bit easier.
2. Rip Them Off Carelessly
If you are like most people, you take the time to put on your shoe covers properly. You want the right fit. You want them to completely cover your shoes. So, you go slowly and make sure you do it right. But why just rip them off when you reach your destination? Being careless about removing shoe covers is a good way to damage them. Take your time and go slowly, just like you did when you put them on.
3. Leave Them in Direct Sunlight
Most of your cheaper shoe covers are little more than a thin layer of silicone rubber. But even more expensive shoe covers, like the ones that GC Tech make, have rubber soles. In both cases, leaving them in direct sunlight for an extended amount of time can damage the rubber. The ultraviolet rays from the sun gradually break down silicone rubber. So, the more often you leave shoe covers in direct sunlight, the more quickly they will wear out.
4. Leave Them in a Carrying Bag Wet
A carrying bag is a fantastic accessory for shoe covers. However, wet shoe covers should never be left in a carrying bag for an extended amount of time. Why? Because doing so promotes mold and algae growth.
By all means put your wet shoe covers in the carrying bag when you reach your destination. But when you get home, take them out of the bag and let them dry out. It shouldn't take long. You would dry out an umbrella or raincoat, so why not do the same for your shoe covers?
5. Clean Them with Harsh Chemicals
Waterproof shoe covers are pretty resilient. They are made to be. However, they are not impervious to all sorts of chemicals. Do yourself and your shoe covers a favor and do not use harsh cleaning products on them. If you ever feel a need to clean your shoe covers, use a gentle detergent and some warm water.
Shoe covers are a great asset if you do any amount of walking outside in bad weather. Take care of your shoe covers by avoiding the five things mentioned in this post. They should last a fairly long time.
