How to Get Peeling Shoe Polish Off

Peeling polish can ruin the look of your shoes.

A regular shoeshine can make you feel supremely confident in your favorite pair of dress shoes. However, some polishes can begin to peel and flake off if not applied correctly. Premature exposure to moisture or dirt can also cause polishes to degrade rapidly. In this case, the best choice is to remove the peeling polish and start fresh with a new application. So long as the polish has not had a chance to penetrate your shoes too deeply, it is simple to remove with household products.

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers
• Mild detergent
• Soft towel
• Polishing brush

Instructions

1. Peel away large segments of polish using a pair of tweezers. Once dry, polish tends to flake off in large sections.

2. Make a mixture of mild detergent and warm water. Mix until the solution is sudsy. Saturate a soft towel with the solution and wring out the excess.

3. Wipe down your shoes with the towel using long, straight passes and gentle pressure. Moisten the towel as needed and continue wiping until most of the polish has been lifted.

4. Allow your shoes to air dry completely overnight. Buff the shoes with a polishing brush to restore their shine.

Tips & Warnings

• Reapply polish using a soft, damp sponge. Slight moisture helps the polish go on evenly and penetrate the shoe's material without peeling or flaking.

• Never use abrasive chemicals to remove shoe polish, as this may damage the material.