How to properly shine leather shoes

Things you need:-

For regular leather shoes, the following items are the best:- 

• Shoe cleaning brush to remove loose dirt & to get dirt off
• Cotton pad and soft brush
• Shoe polish to shine your shoes and to enhance colour
• Shoe protector spray to protect your shoes against dirt and rain
• Soft cloth

Instructions to clean your leather shoes at home:-

Spread  of newspaper or a towel on the surface you will be working on for an easy clean-up and to avoid possible damage. :

1. Remove the laces from your shoes (if any)

Removing the laces prevents getting water or polish on them but,sometimes, they might need a wash as well.

 If they’re dirty, make sure to wash (place them in a mesh bag and wash  ) them or replace.

2. Brush off dirt and debris

Dirt can weak the fibers of your leather footwear which causes (irreparable) cracks, so make sure to use a cleaning shoe brush to remove any loose dirt, mud or salt of the shoe’s leather surfaces. 

 Brushing off dirt whenever you’ve worn them, will make it easier to buff and polish your leather shoes later on. 

Gently rub the brush against the surface of the shoes to remove stuck-on debris.

 Do not rub too hard as it might damage the leather.

 To be thorough, run the brush along the seam and soles of your shoes.

3. Remove tough stains with a clean cloth and soap

Make a soap solution and wipe the exterior surfaces of the leather shoe. Use a clean cloth, rubbing it in small circles onto the shoe . You can also use it to remove dirt between grooves.

 Be careful not get the leather too wet. It is better to repeat the process with less water and soap instead of using too much at once.

When dealing with tough stains or scuff marks, dab onto them. If they’re still not removed, start to gently rub the stain with a bit of pressure.

4.Wipe off soap

Once all the stains are removed, clean away the soap  with a dry cloth and wait for polishing until they’re dry enough to start polishing. Dry your shoes by letting them sit in a cool room. Avoid placing your shoes near a heater as the heat could cause discoloration or cracking 

This might take 30 minutes – an hour.

 In addition you can also put shoe stretchers into your leather shoes so their shape will easier be maintained. 

5. Use polish and rub them in with a shoe brush

Use a clear or similar colored polish and a clean, soft cloth to apply the polish in a circular motion across the entire shoe. 

This will protect the leather shoe from stains, nourish it and enhance the colour (careful around stitching that may be a different colour)

Tip: test the polish on forehand on an inconspicuous area to make sure it does not cause discoloration. 

Wipe excess polish away with another clean cloth and avoid applying shoe polish to the non-leather parts of your shoes

6. Shine the shoes

When you’re finished, let the polish soak for a couple of minutes. Afterwards, take a new clean soft cloth or a buffing brush to properly shine the shoe with short but steady swipes.

7. Let the shoes dry

Let your shoes and boots dry in the open air. Be careful not to place them in the sun for too long as well (or a heater) as this causes discoloration or cracks into the leather.

8. Spray in with protector spray

When your leather shoes are clean and shining, spray them in with a good protector spray at a distance from 30 cm. This treatment will make your shoes soft, supple and waterproof.

 Remember…

Cleaning and polishing your leather shoes is really simple. 

There’s just one key element that sometimes can be tricky: timing. 

If you want to expand their life, it is  best  to clean your leather shoes immediately when they get soiled.

 Only then you’ll avoid lasting dirt and stains.

Other quick tips:

*Remove salt stains with a mixture of water and vinegar. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Dip a clean cloth in the liquid and gently rub the surface of your shoes. Wipe them again with another clean, damp cloth.

*Tackle oil and grease stains with talcum powder. If you have a tough oil or grease stain on your leather shoes, cover it with an absorbent powder like talcum powder.

 Leave for 2-3 hours to absorb the oil. 

Carefully remove the powder with a soft brush.

• You can also use corn starch to absorb oil stains, but you should leave it on for 7-8 hours to fully absorb the oil.

*Spot clean your shoes with baby wipes. 

If you are on the road and your leather shoes get scuffed or dirty, use a baby wipe to clean them. Baby wipes are gentle enough that they will not harm the leather. 

The moisturizing properties of baby wipes will also help to condition your leather

Cleaning patent shoes would come next. see ya