- Categories
- Personal Care and Style
- Footwear
- Shoes
- Care of Shoes
Download Article
Co-authored byPenny Simmons
Last Updated: June 18, 2024Approved
Download Article
- Gathering the Right Materials |
- Applying the Polish |
- Shining the Shoes |
- Video |
- |
- Tips |
- Warnings
A good shoe polishing technique will not only make your shoes look great, it will also extend their life. Learning how to polish your own shoes will give you a great sense of satisfaction and save you a lot of money over the years. Shoe polishing is very easy to do, once you have the right materials and a little patience.
How do you buff shoes?
Use a soft cloth to buff your shoes, moving it quickly from side to side to give your shoes a good shine. Alternatively, try the spit-shine method, which involves spritzing the first polish layer with water, rubbing it into the shoe, and adding more polish with a cloth dipped in warm water.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Gathering the Right Materials
Download Article
1
Choose your polish. Shoe polishes are available in wax, cream and liquid forms. Waxes and creams are heavier and will feed the leather and protect the shoes from water damage. Liquid polishes are good for a quick and easy shine. Shoe polishes are available in a variety of colors -- you can buy specific shades to match the shoes you wish to polish, or you can buy a neutral polish which will work on a variety of shoe colors.[1]
2
Decide whether to use a polishing brush or an old t-shirt. You have a couple of options when it comes to applying your polish. Most people just use an old cotton t-shirt or other soft rag, however it is also possible to get specific polishing brushes with stiff, short bristles. These brushes are included in most shoe polishing kits, which you may choose to invest in. You will also need an old toothbrush or some q-tips to works the polish into hard-to-reach areas.
Advertisement
3
Get your hands on a horsehair brush. A good horsehair shoe shining brush is the one essential tool you need to properly polish your shoes. It has longer, softer bristles than the polishing brush described above. It is used to brush excess polish from the shoes and to really work the remaining polish into the leather.[2]
4
Find a soft, lint-free cloth. If you want to add a shiny finish to your polished shoes, you will need to get your hands on a chamois, which is a type of soft leather cloth. Alternatively, you can use any soft, lint-free cloth, such as an old cotton t-shirt.
5
Cover your work space with newspaper. Polishing shoes is a messy job, so protect your floor and furniture by laying down some old newspaper on your work area. You could also use brown paper bags.[3]
Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Applying the Polish
Download Article
1
Clean the shoes. Before you begin polishing, it is important that you first clean your shoes to remove any built up dirt, salt or dust.[4] Otherwise the dirt could get trapped beneath the polish or scratch the surface of the shoes. Brush the shoe vigorously with your horsehair brush to remove any debris.[5]
- Alternatively, use a dampened cloth to wipe all around the surface of the shoe. Just leave the shoes to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
- At this point, you may also want to remove the laces from your shoes. This will give you easier access to the tongue of the shoe and will prevent any polish from getting on the laces.
- You can also clean your shoes with saddle soap or baby shampoo mixed with a little bit of water. Don't soak your shoes in the process, though![6]
2
Apply the polish using small circular motions. Dip the old t-shirt or polishing brush into your chosen polish and work it into the surface of the shoe, using small circular motions. Apply a medium pressure and make sure to coat the surface evenly, paying special attention to the toe and heel which get the most wear.[7]
- The easiest way to use an old t-shirt is to wrap the material tightly around your index and middle fingers and use them to work the polish into the shoes.
- Use a toothbrush or q-tip to work the polish into the hard-to-reach places, such as the edge of the upper and the cracks in the tongue.
- You may also want to apply polish to the sole of each shoe, in the space between the toe and heel which doesn't touch the ground.
- Try to apply the polish in a really thin layer.[8]
3
Allow the polish to dry and add additional layers, if necessary. Once you have applied polish to the first shoe, set it aside on the newspaper and begin working on the second shoe. Each shoe will require about 15 to 20 minutes drying time.[9]
See Also10 Startling Ways to Remove Foot Odor from Shoes10 Startling Ways to Remove Foot Odor from Shoes- If you feel like your shoes require another layer of polish, apply this second layer using the same technique as above.
- Remember to use the minimum amount of polish necessary to cover the shoe. It is better to build-up multiple light layers than apply a single thick layer.
4
Brush off the excess polish. Once any additional layers of polish have dried, grab your horsehair brush and remove the excess polish using short, quick strokes. Don't be afraid to put some elbow grease into it -- the heat generated from the vigorous brush strokes helps the polish to sink into the leather.
- Most of the movement involved in these strokes should come from your wrist. Keep the rest of your arm stationary while your wrist quickly flicks the brush back and forth.
- Make sure to evenly brush the surface of both shoes. When you are done, the shoes should have an even finish with a slight shine. If super shiny shoes are not your thing, you can stop here.
Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Shining the Shoes
Download Article
1
Buff the shoes with a soft cloth. The easiest way to add shine to your shoes is to use a soft cloth -- such as a chamois or an old cotton t-shirt -- to buff the shoes. Place one hand on either end of the cloth and work it across the shoe in a brisk side-to side motion.
- Some people like to breath on the shoe (as if fogging a mirror) before buffing to increase shine.
- If you like, you can place the first shoe on a shoe butler (or on your foot) to make this process easier.
2
Use the spit-shine method. Spit shining is a method used in the military to achieve a hard shine. After you have applied the first layer of polish, spray a little water onto the shoes and work it into the surface of the shoe. Then dip the cloth in warm water and use it to apply a second layer of polish.[10]
- Keep repeating this process until you achieve the desired level of shine. Just make sure that you let each layer of polish dry fully before applying the next.
- Spit shining can be done using a soft cloth or a number of cotton balls.
3
Try fire shining. Fire shining is a fun, if slightly dangerous, method of shining shoes. It involves lighting the shoe polish on fire for a couple of seconds, until it becomes melted and gooey. This melted polish is then applied to the shoes using the same technique as spit shining.
- Once you have applied several layers of the melted polish, you can take the fire play once step further by using your lighter to evenly heat the polish on the surface of the shoe, until it melts and achieves a wet look.
- Do not let the flame actually touch the shoe and move the lighter constantly, as if spray painting. Once the polish has evenly melted, allow it to dry.
- Apply one final layer of polish, then buff the shoes with a soft cloth to achieve a high-glass shine.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
Question
How should I remove old polish from my shoes?
Community Answer
Applying acetone will strip the polish without harming the leather, just be sure to use a leather conditioner once the polish is removed.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 22Helpful 38
Question
How long should it take me to shine my boots?
Community Answer
If you are attempting a high gloss, long lasting shine, it will take about an hour, as there are many steps and the polish must be allowed to dry in between coats.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 20Helpful 38
Question
How do I clean black suede on golf shoes?
Community Answer
Use a hard bristle brush and a suede eraser. Brush it in one direction first and then use the suede eraser. You may also use a pencil eraser. Shampooing the suede also helps.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 15Helpful 26
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Always polish new shoes as soon as you get them; even though they may be new; it helps break the shoe in, while treating and protecting it against future use.
Thanks
Helpful49Not Helpful9
The key is not to put too much polish on the shoe, but build the polish/shine up in thin layers; this is called the "fat-on-lean” process.
Thanks
Helpful23Not Helpful14
If you get a scratch on your shoes, you can try melting polish in it. Heat the polish until it runs and pour a little to the scratch. Polish, let dry, repeat. It is hard to get it to hold, but if somebody has a tip on how to accomplish that, let others know. However, it is easily better than a scratch.
Thanks
Helpful24Not Helpful15
Show More Tips
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- You can use Doctor Phenyl, which is black, to remove old polish from leather shoes. Just put some phenyl on a soft cotton cloth and rub your shoes thoroughly to remove old polish. You can do this 2 times if you're not satisfied the first time. Then, put your shoes under a fan to dry for about 20-30 minutes before directly applying polish.
- If your shoes have laces, remove them before you start polishing. This keeps polish from getting on the laces and later onto your fingers as you lace up your shoes. It also will allow you to occasionally apply some polish or cream to the tongue of the shoe, which can sometimes get overlooked.
- Wear gloves during the entire process—this will help because wax is difficult to get out of your skin.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
Be very careful with the lighter or matches; don't burn the shoe as it will be non-repairable.
Thanks
Helpful22Not Helpful10
Advertisement
You Might Also Like
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzC2GY-AAA0
- ↑ https://blog.loake.com/shoe-care/how-to-polish-fine-leather-shoes/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzC2GY-AAA0
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ https://blog.loake.com/shoe-care/how-to-polish-fine-leather-shoes/
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8UmPvKiao4
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8UmPvKiao4
More References (1)
About This Article
Co-authored by:
Penny Simmons
Shoe Care Specialist
This article was co-authored by Penny Simmons. Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company has been featured in Best of The City - Toronto Life, Saturday Night Magazine, National Post, Globe & Mail, and Toronto Star. This article has been viewed 1,619,233 times.
54 votes - 82%
Co-authors: 43
Updated: June 18, 2024
Views:1,619,233
Categories: Care of Shoes
Article SummaryX
If you want to polish a pair of shoes, make sure you carefully match the color of the polish, or choose a neutral polish. Clean the shoes with a horsehair brush, or wipe them down a dampened cloth, but be sure to let the shoes dry completely if you do this. Apply the polish to the shoes in a circular motion using an old t-shirt or a polishing brush. Pay special attention to the heel and the toe, which get the most wear. Allow the polish to dry and add additional layers, if necessary, then brush off the excess polish. If you want to learn how to shine your shoes when you're finished polishing them, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
In other languages
Spanish
German
Portuguese
French
Chinese
Russian
Dutch
Indonesian
Arabic
Hindi
Korean
Thai
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,619,233 times.
Reader Success Stories
Dales Subramoney
Aug 25, 2018
"They key was not to put too much polish on, also make sure you leave to dry before applying next coat."
More reader storiesHide reader stories
Did this article help you?
Advertisement