New Delhi, June 27 (IANS): Humidity can ruin your leather shoes but regular polishing and storing them properly can make them last longer, says an expert.

Jitender Upadhyay, expert at lifestyle brand Cobblerz, has shared tips on how to keep leather shoes new as ever:

* Brush your shoes: During the monsoon, damp mud has a tendency to stick to the shoes. When it dries, the mud hardens and forms a clump on them. In such cases, a brush is the only way to remove the mud.

* Polish shoes regularly: Invest in good quality polish. It does not make sense to compromise on the quality of your shoe polish as it not only makes your shoe shine, but also protects it from moisture.

* Dry the insides of leather shoes: If your feet sweat a lot, you will have to increase the frequency of the drying sessions. Place a sheet of tissue paper or a paper napkin within the shoe and leave it for a few minutes. Repeat the process to dry out the shoe completely. After this, sprinkle some talcum powder to absorb any lingering moisture. During the rains, drying sessions can be carried out two or three times a week.

* Storage tips for leather shoes: Don't put your shoes away as soon as you take them off. Switch on the ceiling fan and keep the shoes under them for a few hours to air them out. Else your shoes will start smelling. Stuff shoes with newspaper to retain their shape and prevent them from bending or creasing. In addition, keep the shoes in a cloth shoe cover before putting them in the box.

* Fungus treatment for leather shoes: Take an old toothbrush and some soap solution and use the brush to scrub away the fungus. Ensure that you brush even the smallest crevices to remove all traces. After brushing, keep the shoes under the fan to dry. A better option to dry them completely would be to keep them outside in the sunlight.