Make those boots last!

They are here. Beautiful, stylish, gotta have 'em boots are popping up in shoe department displays  everywhere you look! They are quietly waiting to be placed on your feet. You try them on, you walk in them, you fall in love them then you say I want them. Alas, a purchase is made! Now how exactly do you take care of your new boots?

Boots are an investment and like a car, you need to maintain them in order to have them for seasons to come. Boots should be conditioned at least every week or two depending on wear to remove outdoor elements along with scratches and scuffs. When looking for a conditioner, look for one that conditions as well as seals from water and scratches. Regular use will reduce buildup and for those with existing boots, rubbing the conditioner into the leather can restore life back to your boots and buff out old scratches.

 

When you are not wearing your boots, opt for a set of cedar boot trees in lieu of stuffing with plastic or paper. The cedar wood will absorb moisture quickly and freshen the insides of your boots. Simply insert the cedar boot trees into each boot and store away until the next use. When you store your boots, make sure you keep them away from a heat register. Heat will dry out the boot resulting in cracks and damage to the leather. 

Do you live in an area or travel to where salt is used to treat icy walkways and streets? The dreaded salt stain is actually easily removed. Try the vinegar and water solution to prevent salt stains from setttling into the leather. Take one part vinegar with two parts water and mix. Apply the solution with a soft cloth then allow to dry. Condition the boots and you are ready to go!

For those who travel and pack boots in luggage, consider boot bags to prevent scraps and marks. Boot bags will cover the entire boot. They are washable and will last for many travels.

 

Boots are a great addition to your fall and winter footwear collection. Visit the Healthy Steps store and try on our 2013 boot collection. These boots were made for walking with the perfect mix of style!

How clean is your locker room?

If you have a membership to your local Y, Rec Center or Health Club, frequenting the locker room is no surprise – but what heads home with you after your work out can be a surprise.  While your locker room may look clean with some having onsite maintenance crews cleaning throughout the day, is there any guarantee yourself from infection? The answer is no however there are a lot of ways to reduce the chance of infection. Here are a few tips to consider:

1.     Never….ever…ever walk barefoot in the locker room or anywhere in the club for that matter.  From walking to, being in and walking out of the shower, never allow yourself to be barefoot.  Have a pair of flip flops that are non-slip and are antimicrobial. We recommend the Tide sandal by Vionic (formerly known as Orthaheel).

2.     Use an antimicrobial body wash and a disposable loofah and disposable razors for one time use.

3.     Always use a clean towel whether your club provides towels or you bring your own and by the way, letting your towel dry then using it again does not cut it.

4.     Start the workout with clean socks then change into a fresh clean pair of socks after you finish. It’s tempting to wrap up the workout, grab your items and head out to run a couple of errands. What you are allowing by not changing your socks is a buildup of bacteria in your shoes. This compounded by heat you have a festival of infection just waiting to happen.

5.     Have a cold or nagging cough? Consider at home workouts until your bug is gone. Spreading germs amongst fellow club members just isn’t cool.

Enjoy your health club and dedicate yourself to focused workouts. With a little common sense and awareness, you can be happily healthy as you work on your goal!