How to Clean and Polish Patent Leather Shoes

Patent leather shoes always look their best when they are cleaned and polished to a high shine. Whether it is the shiny black required by the military, the sparkling ebony of a little girl's tap shoes, or the sophisticated sable of a woman's high heels, keeping your patent leather fresh ensures good presentation and style!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patent Leather Cleaner
• Patent Leather Polish
• Mild Soap
• Mineral or Vegetable Oil
• Soft Cloth

1. DETERMINE TYPE:
   
   Genuine patent leather is leather which has been coated with a glossy shine. Synthetic "patent leather" is man-made material which is also treated to a glossy finish. Determine the type of material your shoes are made of to ensure the best shoecare. The two types of patent leather require similar cleaning techniques with a few key differences.

2. CLEAN:
   
   Patent leather footware can be freshened with professional patent leather cleaners such as the Lincoln and Kiwi brands. Also, you can use a readily available home cleaner consisting of soap and water. Synthetic Patent Leather can tolerate alternative options. Consistent cleaning will keep your shoes well-conditioned.
   
   ***************Wipe all dirt and debris from the surface of the shoes with a damp cloth. This will ensure the best shine.
   
   ***************Use a commercial cleaner or mild soap to wipe the interior and exterior of the shoes. Saddle soap may also be used in a small amount. Don't over saturate shoes.
   
   ***************Erase scuff marks on genuine patent leather with a dry eraser. Do not rub too hard, or you could mar the finish of the shoes. Try acetone nail polish or glass cleaner such as Windex to remove scuff marks from synthetic shoes.
   
   ***************Completely dry the shoes with a soft cloth or flannel shoe shine cloth. Avoid the use of cloth with a rough texture, as this could permanently scratch the patent leather.

3. POLISH:
   
   Use a new, completely dry cloth to shine the shoes using a patent leather polish. Shoe polishes come in several types, with the most common being creams and waxes. When using professional polishes, be certain to choose the proper formulation for patent leather such as the Urad or Esquire brands. An alternative method is to polish with a mineral or vegetable oil. Massage product into patent leather in a circular motion until lightly covered. Wipe excess product away then buff shoes to a high gloss. Your patent leather should shine!

4. STEP OUT IN STYLE:
   
   After cleaning and polishing your patent leather shoes, you will want to pay attention to the fine details:
   
   ***************Change shoe laces if they are worn or frayed.
   
   ***************Fluff up bows and ribbons with a clothing iron on the steam setting, a curling iron on a low setting, or a warm, damp cloth (Maintain all safety precautions while using appliances).
   
   ***************Polish the heels of your shoes with heel and edge shoe dressing.

Tips & Warnings

• Your local shoe repair shop or cobbler will have professional grade shoe cleaners and polishes for sale. Products can also be found at online retailers specializing in footware and shoecare.
• Ladies, experiment with different colors of patent leather such as red and hot pink!
• Test spot in an inconspicuous area before using any products.
• Avoid using petroleum jelly based products to clean and polish your patent leather shoes. If you choose to use it, initially your shoes will look nice. Nonetheless, soon after the shoes will become dusty and dingy looking!

[starlet67]

on 5/10/2009 Good tip about the mineral oil!