How to Shine Shoes

How to Shine Shoes thumbnail
Shine Shoes

Tired of having your shoes look worn-out a few hours after you've bought them? Want to keep your shoes looking as good as new? Fear not-- with a few handy supplies, and by following these steps, you can learn the easy way to shine them like a pro. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Old Cotton Children's T-shirts
  • Shoe Shining/cleaning Kits
  • Shokeepers
  • Leather Cleaning Kits
  • Leather Conditioners
  • Leather Protection Sprays
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean dust and dirt from the surface of your shoes or boots with a shoeshine brush or damp cloth.

    • 2

      Select a can of wax or creme shoe polish that matches the leather you want to polish.

    • 3

      Use a shoe polish brush to apply a conservative amount of polish to the surface of the leather. Brush in circular motions until the leather has a dull coating. Get into tight spots using an old toothbrush.

    • 4

      Wait 15 minutes while the polish dries.

    • 5

      Brush shoes or boots with a shoeshine brush.

    • 6

      Buff to a gleaming shine with a clean cotton cloth, such as an old sweat sock or T-shirt.

Tips & Warnings

  • If you're in doubt about how to do the best job for your shoes, talk to a shoemaker, who will usually explain the process for no charge.

  • Don't polish suede, roughout or patent leather.

  • "Instant" or "EZ" shoe polishes generally do not last and can harm shoe leather.

  • Don't try to use black polish to change the color of brown leather. If you want to do this, hire a professional shoemaker to dye the shoes.

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Comments

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  • gurkhas Aug 21, 2010
    Being a Gurkhah we have to be the best and polishing your parade shoes/ boots you simply use the same method with the cotton wool and warm water and polish but after about 40-50 coats just simply add some salt to the water and polish and it works! aswell when polishing your bayonette use salt aswell to keep it gleam!

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