How to achieve a perfect shoeshine

Posted October 15, 2018

If you’re looking to get the most from your footwear, a little upkeep goes a long way. Regular maintenance will add years to the life of your shoes and boots, erasing the effects of water damage, cracking, and daily scuffs and scratches. To keep your kicks in fighting form, here’s a step-by-step guide to shine your shoes, whether you’re sitting down for a comprehensive shine, or running out the door.

Cover your work area with a clean cloth; remove laces from shoes.
Insert shoe tree to stretch leather and smooth the surface.
Use a large horsehair brush to dust away dirt and a small brush to clean detail areas.
Add a dab of leather cleaner to cloth; apply evenly to prepare pores for shoe cream.
Using a fresh cloth, apply shoe cream evenly; gently rub using circular motions.
Use a pig hair brush to create friction and work pigment into pores.
Apply shoe polish to seal cream. Use a soft horsehair brush to create friction and blend polish into shoe to protect finish and restore shine.
Use a chamois polishing glove to buff shoe in a circular motion until desired gloss is attained.
Wet a cotton cloth and smooth polish to equalize the shine.
If your climate is rainy or snowy, spray new shoes with a stain protector before the first wear.