Leather shoes can make all the difference to any man’s outfit. All too often, you can make all the right choices when it comes to putting your outfit together, but if your shoes are scruffy or even worse, dirty, it can bring the entire look down. Polishing your leather shoes will not only make your outfits look amazingly finished off, but it’s also a great way to keep them in better condition and make sure that they last for as long as possible.
Why Shine Your Leather Shoes?
Leather shoes are a stylish addition to any outfit and every man should own at least one or two pairs of them. Another reason to go for leather shoes is that with the right care and maintenance, they can last a really long time. Cleaning and polishing your shoes will keep them in perfect condition for longer and make sure that they are always looking fantastic, no matter what you decide to wear them with.
What Do You Need to Clean and Shine Leather Shoes?
To get started with cleaning and shining your shoes, you’re going to need some essentials. These are:
- Small brush: You can get a specially designed brush or use an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the edge strip of the shoe and apply polish in those harder-to-reach places.
- Horsehair brush: These are used to brush the surface of the skin. Horsehair is soft, allowing you to clean the shoe without damaging or scratching it.
- Polishing Cloth: A flannel is a good option, or you can use an old T-shirt if you prefer.
- Clean Cloth or Rag: Use this to clean dirt off the shoe and wipe any excess polish away.
- Shoe Polish: You can either use a clear polish or a coloured polish on your shoes. Saphir shoe polish is a great option to go with. A coloured polish will not only shine the shoe but also help to fix any minor damage to the leather.
Cleaning and Polishing
To start with, remove the laces and insert supports into the shoe to keep their shape and prevent wrinkles. Use your horsehair brush to sweep away any dirt on the surface, especially on the seams. Then, apply a small amount of polish to your cloth and use a circular motion to wipe it on the surface of the shoe until it begins shining. It’s best to apply the polish in multiple thin layers to restore the moisture of the folds, rather than applying a lot of polish in one go. Finally, apply the polish with a small brush to the heel and piping. Allow it to dry for around ten minutes. To finish, use a small amount of clean water to make the fabric slightly moist, and apply a thin, even layer of shoe wax before polishing and shining the shoes in a circular motion. Let your shoes dry, then put the laces back on.
With regular cleaning and polishing, you can achieve a suave, shiny look for your leather shoes and keep them in great condition for longer.
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