You might be wondering if new shoes need polishing and maintenance. Generally, any shoe with a leather upper can be polished, including leather dress shoes, leather rain boots, loafers, Oxford work shoes, and brogues.
If your shoes have a fabric upper, you don't need shoe polish. In fact, shoe polish will likely damage the fabric. So, the material of your shoes largely determines how you should care for them.
What Can You Use to Polish Shoes? – Essential Shoe Polishing Supplies
The good news is, you probably already have most, if not all, of the necessary supplies at home. So you can almost get started right away. Here's what you'll need for proper leather shoe care:
Shoe brush: You can use a horsehair brush, a synthetic brush, or any long-bristled soft brush. Is a brush absolutely necessary for polishing shoes? Not necessarily; an old toothbrush will also work if you don't have a shoe brush.
Shoe polish: You can use paste, wax, or liquid shoe polish. If you're using paste or wax polish, you'll also need a polishing cloth.
Shoe buffer: This isn't essential, but it can help you achieve a brilliant shine. A shoe buffer is a soft cloth that attaches to your power drill (don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds).
Step-by-Step Guide to Polishing Shoes
Remove the laces and stuff the shoes
Before cleaning and polishing your shoes, you should do some preparation. This includes removing the laces. This ensures that the laces don't get stained with shoe polish – they don't need polishing.
Next, simply stuff the shoes. Stuff some paper into the toe of the shoe. This will provide a flat surface for polishing, making the job easier.
Remove dirt and debris
The first step is to remove any dirt or debris from your shoes. The easiest way to do this is with a shoe brush and water. If you don't have a shoe brush, an old toothbrush will also work, but make sure the toothbrush is clean!
First, brush the shoe in a circular motion to remove dirt. Then, turn the shoe over and repeat the process on the other side. Pay special attention to the edges of the shoe, brushing away any dirt that has accumulated there.
If your shoes are particularly dirty, you may need to use a shoe cleaner before polishing. You can use shoe polish spray or a shoe polish cleaning kit. Be sure to carefully read the instructions on the shoe polish before use.
Make sure there is no dirt residue on the shoes – it will scratch the leather when you polish it. Finally, wipe them with a clean, dry cloth.
Let the shoes dry.
If you have removed dirt and debris from your shoes with water or liquid cleaner, do not apply shoe polish immediately. Let the shoes dry first before proceeding to the next step.
Apply polish.
Now that the shoes are clean, you can start polishing them. If you are using shoe polish or shoe wax, you will need a polishing cloth. If you don't have a polishing cloth, you can use an old T-shirt or cotton cloth instead.
Apply the shoe polish to the polishing cloth and then rub the shoes in a circular motion. Make sure to polish the entire shoe, including the heel and toe.
After applying the shoe polish, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the polish to penetrate the leather.
If you are using liquid shoe polish, you can apply it directly to the shoes with a cloth or brush. Be sure to read the instructions on the shoe polish before use.
Pro tip: Use a cotton swab or toothbrush to apply polish to small, hard-to-reach areas such as the tongue.
Applying shoe polish
One thing you need to understand when learning to polish shoes is layering. If you want to apply several layers of shoe polish to your shoes, you need patience. After applying one layer, wait for it to dry completely. Once dry, apply the next layer. You can repeat this process until you achieve your desired color. Remember – several thin layers of shoe polish are better than one thick layer.
After applying the shoe polish, you can start polishing the shoes. This step is not mandatory, but it helps to enhance the shine of the shoes. If you don't have a polishing machine, you can also use a soft cloth to buff them.
Attach the shoe polishing attachment to a power drill and set the drill to the lowest speed. Place the polishing attachment against the shoe and move it in a circular motion. Be sure to polish the entire shoe, including the heel and toe. Once polishing is complete, turn off the drill and remove the polishing attachment.
You can skip this step if you want. Your shoes will still look good, just not as shiny. Clean with a shoe brush
After polishing your shoes, you can remove any excess shoe polish. The easiest way to do this is with a shoe brush. Brush the shoes in a circular motion until all the excess polish is removed. You can also use a clean cloth to wipe away the excess polish.
Let the shoes dry and re-lace them.
Almost done! Now that you've applied all the necessary coats and polished your shoes, it's time to let them dry. Once the boots are shiny and dry, you can re-lace them.
How to make the shine last longer
To make the shine last longer, it's best to apply shoe polish or shoe wax. This helps create a protective layer between the shoes and dust and debris. Be sure to carefully read the instructions on the shoe polish or shoe wax before use.
Pro tip: Using a shoe polish spray can extend the life of your shoe polish. Simply spray it on after cleaning and polishing your shoes.