How to Make a Shoe Cleaning Solution

Keep your shoes shining with a simple homemade shoe cleaning polish.

Well-maintained shoes add polish to anyone's wardrobe, showing off the wearer's fastidiousness and attention to detail. Keeping your shoes clean also extends their life, but store-bought shoe polishes and cleaners take a toll on the wallet and the environment alike. Sidestep these products with your own homemade shoe cleaning solutions. In contrast to store-bought options, homemade shoe cleaning solutions are less toxic and easier on the environment.

Things You'll Need

• Pot or microwave safe container with cover
• Oven or microwave
• Stirring spoon
• 4 oz. beeswax
• ½ cup liquid soap
• ¼ cup linseed oil
• ¼ cup turpentine
• Or:
• Small covered container
• ½ cup olive, walnut or vegetable oil
• Lemon juice

Instructions

Beeswax Solution

1. Heat 1/2 pt. of water in a pot on the stove top or in the microwave using a microwave-safe container. Heat it until the water is hot, but not boiling.

2. 

   Melt down a beeswax candle to save resources.

   Add 4 oz. of beeswax to the hot water.

3. Stir the beeswax into the water, allowing it to melt further. Mix 1/2 cup of liquid soap into the beeswax and water.

4. Allow the mixture to cool.

5. Add 1/4 cup of linseed oil and 1/4 cup of turpentine to the solution and stir thoroughly.

6. Store the solution in a covered container at room temperature.

Olive Oil Solution

1. 

   Olive oil works especially well on leather shoes.

   Pour 1/2 cup of olive oil into a container. Substitute walnut or vegetable oil, if olive oil is not available.

2. Add a few drops of lemon juice.

3. Stir the mixture thoroughly.

4. Cover with a lid and store at room temperature.

Tips & Warnings

• In a pinch, rub leather shoes with the inside of a banana peel and buff them with a paper towel.

• Petroleum jelly serves as a polish for leather shoes, preventing them from cracking and drying.

• Don't apply homemade shoe cleaning solutions to suede or nubuck shoes.

References

• SoulShine Beeswax: Beeswax Recipes
• Earth Easy: Non-toxic Home Cleaning and Care
• "Yes!" Magazine: Green Living Tips

Resources

• Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia Guide to Less Toxic Products: Household Cleaners