Whether you are getting ready to attend a big event or business meeting or you just like to look your best at all times, proper shoe shining can definitely elevate your status and appearance. After all, no one wants to look like they just trudged through a mud run or left their good shoes to waste away in the closet for the past decade.
Luckily, even if your shoes need some serious TLC, there is an easy fix that doesn’t require going to a shop or shelling out the big bucks to revamp their appearance and wear. Shoe shining can easily be done from home with the right products and techniques.
Here at FootFitter, we want to ensure that you look and feel your best, so we made it easy for you. We compiled a guide to choosing the right products for your shoe shining needs and how to use them.
Choosing your polish
The first step is choosing the consistency and finish of your shoe polish. When it comes to shoe shining, you can choose from creams, waxes or liquids to achieve your intended look. Liquid polishes are great for shoe shining, but if you’re looking for more protection from the environment like water, scuffs and scratches, waxes and creams are more effective.
If you’re looking for shoe shining that will revamp leather and deliver protection choose:
FootFitter Premium Shoe Cream Polish
In addition to shining your shoes, this polish includes a waterproof coating that will increase the longevity and quality of your shoes.
The creamy consistency is also perfect for revamping and renewing older leather shoes and deeply penetrating scratches and scuffs to conceal them.
Moreover, this American product also comes in black, white, brown and neutral so it is suited for any shoe style.
Picking the right tools for application
Once you have the polish you are going to use in hand, it’s time to get the tools necessary for applying it. That means investing in a good shoe shining brush and a soft cloth.
Horsehair Shoe Shine Brush
A brush with horsehair bristles is most effective because of its gentle approach to leather. Using a brush when shoe shining is helpful because it allows you to penetrate the leather more deeply with polish. It also works well at removing excess debris on shoes and distributing polish evenly before buffing.
FootFitter Signature Jumbo Shoe Shine Brush
This brush is made for comfort with an ergonomically-curved wooden handle and tapered finger grooves for grip.
Microfiber Cloth
However, you shouldn’t count out the importance of a soft microfiber cloth when it comes to shoe shining. A microfiber cloth is perfect at building up the heat necessary to deliver a mirror-like finish to your leather when working in polish with a buffing motion.
FootFitter Ultrasoft Microfiber Cleaning and Conditioning Shoe Shine Cloth
Our ultrasoft microfiber cloth is ideal for cleaning your footwear and for applying shoe cream to your leather shoes. Because it’s so soft, you don’t have to worry about scratching your shoes.
FootFitter Traditional Buffing Shoe Shine Microfiber Cloth
This lint-resistant, low-pile microfiber cloth and extended length make buffing polish clean and simple.
How to polish your shoes
Before you start shoe polishing, be aware that it can be a messy job. Choose a work station suitable for moving around and managing polish. Using newspaper or old t-shirts can help keep your surface tidy.
1. Wipe away any excess dirt and debris clogging the leather using your brush.
It is important to start with the cleanest surface possible. Often your shoes will have slight dirt or debris from the last time you wore them. Sweep away any excess materials so you can apply the polish as evenly as possible.
2. Apply the shoe shining polish with a brush in circular motions.
Use your brush to dip into the polish and apply it with medium pressure evenly across your shoe. The areas around the toe and heel will commonly see the most wear and tear and may require some extra attention.
Less is more. Start with a small amount of polish on your brush and build it up as necessary to keep it manageable and the most effective. Brush off excess polish so you maintain an even layer.
3. Wait five minutes for the product to soak in before buffing in vigorously with your cloth.
After five minutes, the products mentioned above will dry and be ready for buffing. Don’t be afraid to put some muscle behind your buffing efforts. The easiest way to do this is to spread your towel across your shoe and move it back and forth in a side to side motion.
Following these suggestions and steps will lead your leather back to looking luxurious. Now all you’ll have to worry about is which event should be graced with your presence.
