Salt stains on shoes

From Lucky Magazine, december 2005:

Q: How do I remove salt stains from my shoes?

A: While several companies make chemical salt-stain removers, we like this trick best: Dip a soft cloth into a small dish of distilled white vinegar and wipe off the white residue - this will work in any leather boot or shoe apart from suede. Just be sure to spot-test first!

Removing Pilling from Silk Evening Bag

From Lucky Magazine, november 2005:

Q: How do I remove the pilling from my silk evening bag without damaging it?

A: A simple battery-operated pill remover will work, but the best way is to pull the fabric taut over a curved surface and cut the pills off with nail scissors. To keep it from happening again. don't let it rub against metal accessories (like a belt) and store it in a cloth cover.

Cleaning Espadrilles

From Lucky Magazine, august 2005:

Q: How should I clean my espadrilles?

A: Carlos Mesquita, owner of Shoe Service Plus (Manolo Blahnik's favorite New York repair shop), recommends using a non-chemical shoe cleaner like Gonzo - or a quarter-size amount of shampoo mixed with a bit of water. Scrub the shoes with a sponge so the material doesn't fray, then dab with a paper towel and set them out to dry.

Cleaning Patent Leather

From Lucky Magazine, october 2007:

Accessories designer Melanie Dizon explains her impossibly simple technique.

• You'll need: A couple of cotton pads and a bottle of standard-issue nail polish remover.
• How it's done: Immediately after wear, just spot-clean surface stains by lightly rubbing with a cotton pad doused in nail polish remover. Air-dry for about five minutes, then store the item in a cool place. N.B.: Patent easily absorbs colors from other leather pieces, so wrap bags in tissue paper and keep shoes in their own box.