Regardless of the cost or quality, knowing how to polish leather shoes at home is a must if you own a pair. With regular shoe polish application, you can keep them looking fresh. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started.
Jump Ahead
- Polishing Leather Shoes – The Essential Prep
- Polishing Leather Shoes – How-To
- Polishing Leather Shoes – Maintenance
- Resources
Polishing Leather Shoes – The Essential Prep
Before you begin, cover your work surface with newspaper or an old towel.
If your shoes have laces, remove them before cleaning and polishing your shoes.
Clean your leather shoes with a soft, damp cloth before polishing. Removing the dirt, dust, and debris attached to your shoes during daily use is essential. You can also use a shoe brush to clean your shoes. One made out of horsehair would be a good choice.
Polishing Leather Shoes – How-To
Apply a quality shoe polish or shoe cream from a reputable brand. The color of the polish should match that of the shoes you are polishing. Apply the polish lightly with the cloth wrapped around your fingertips to avoid unnecessary scratches on the leather. Some shoe polish brands come in convenient dispensers that do not require a separate cloth for its application.
When the polish dries, buff your shoes with another piece of cloth, such as an old T-shirt. Use different parts of the cloth to polish different pairs of shoes so that the colors do not contaminate each other.
Buff your shoes again, but spray them with water this time.
Polishing Leather Shoes – Maintenance
To maintain the luster of the polish, you can spray on or apply stain repellants or shoe protectors.
Store your shoes in a shoebox when they are not in use. You may also use a shoe bag for this. Stuff crumpled paper into the shoes to maintain their shape. Investing in shoetrees is also a good idea.
Resources
- Kiwi Shoe Care Products – “How to Polish Your Leather Shoes.”
- GQ Magazine Online – “How to Shine Your Shoes (The Right Way).”
