How Do I Make Homemade Shoe Polish?

Homemade shoe polish cleans and shines leather shoes as effectively as commercial brands.

Leather shoes require periodic polishing to maintain their shine and protect against wear. Traditional shoe polishes contain chemicals that are toxic if ingested and can be harmful to the environment if improperly disposed of. In contrast, homemade shoe polish is completely nontoxic and safe around children and pets. Homemade shoe polish requires only a few ingredients from the grocery store to make and will stay fresh for up to one year.

Instructions

1. Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil into a small container with a tightly fitting lid. Used baby food or peanut butter jars work well for this purpose.

2. Add a one or two drops of your favorite essential oils to the jar. Peppermint or sweet orange oil leave a particularly pleasant smell, but any essential oil will work.

3. Strain the lemon juice to remove any pith or seeds. Add five drops of lemon juice to the jar.

4. Screw the lid tightly onto the jar and shake vigorously to combine.

5. Apply a small amount of the mixture to a clean, dry rag to buff. Store unused polish in the refrigerator.

References

• Mother Nature Network; Shine Those Shoes Naturally; Chris Baskind; April 2010