How to Polish Shoes in 5 Steps

Let's chat about the underrated art of polishing a shoe—because who doesn't love a good shoe shine? Not only does polishing your shoes keep them looking sharp, but it also prolongs their lifespan. You’ll need to have the right tools of the trade and have your buffing techniques down pat to create the ultimate shine. Let's dive into the world of shoe care and how you can keep your footwear looking fresh and fabulous.

What You’ll Need: A Shoe Shine Kit

Polishing a shoe properly requires more than just elbow grease. You’ll need all the right gear to get the brightest shoe shine possible. This means getting a shoe shine kit. Your kit should have shoe brushes, polish, cloths, and perhaps shoe cleaner and conditioner.

Your basic kit will include the following:

Shoe Polish

Shoe polish is the hero of the story when it comes to good shoe care. It gives your footwear a high shine and keeps them in tip-top shape. There’s an array of polish shades and formulations to choose from - it's like a shoe makeover in a tin. From nourishing leather to adding a glossy shine, shoe polish is your secret weapon for keeping your shoes looking dapper and dazzling.

Leather cleaner

Leather shoe cleaners delicately lift dirt and grime to reveal the natural beauty of your shoes. Refreshing, revitalising, and utterly essential.

Leather conditioner

Leather shoe conditioners nourish and protect your shoes. With their rich formulations, they hydrate and soften leather, preventing cracks and extending the lifespan of your shoes. Think of them as a spa day for your footwear—pure luxury in a bottle.

soft cloth

A soft cotton cloth helps to gently buff away excess polish and bring out that coveted shoe shine. They’re also useful for conditioning. An old T-shirt will do, but you can also buy soft cloths made for shoe polishing.

Polishing brush

Yes, you’ll also need a polishing brush if you want to do things by the book. A shoe polishing brush acts like a magic wand, working wonders to distribute polish evenly and buff shoes to a high shine.

Shoe brush

The humble shoe brush is the worker bee of shoe care, whisking away dirt and grime to reveal the beauty of your footwear. Opt for a horsehair brush, as the coarse bristles allow for the best shoe cleaning.

Shoe polish

Shoe polish is the hero of the story when it comes to good shoe care. It gives your footwear a high shine and keeps them in tip-top shape. There’s an array of polish shades and formulations to choose from - it's like a shoe makeover in a tin. From nourishing leather to adding a glossy shine, shoe polish is your secret weapon for keeping your shoes looking dapper and dazzling.

Leather cleaner

Leather shoe cleaners are like gentle therapists for your footwear, delicately lifting dirt and grime to reveal the natural beauty of your shoes. Refreshing, revitalising, and utterly essential.

Leather conditioner

Leather shoe conditioners nourish and protect your shoes. With their rich formulations, they hydrate and soften leather, preventing cracks and extending the lifespan of your shoes. Think of them as a spa day for your footwear—pure luxury in a bottle.

Shoe brush

The humble shoe brush is the worker bee of shoe care, whisking away dirt and grime to reveal the beauty of your footwear. Opt for a horsehair brush, as the coarse bristles allow for the best shoe cleaning.

Polishing brush

Yes, you’ll also need a polishing brush if you want to do things by the book. A shoe polishing brush acts like a magic wand, working wonders to distribute polish evenly and buff shoes to a high shine.

Shoe Brush

A soft cotton cloth helps to gently buff away excess polish and bring out that coveted shoe shine. They’re also useful for conditioning. An old T-shirt will do, but you can also buy soft cloths made for shoe polishing.

How to Polish Your Shoes in 5 Simple Steps

Now that you’ve got your kit ready, it’s time we teach you the moves. From prepping your shoes to applying your products and buffing, we’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide.

1. Prep your shoes

Polishing a shoe well starts with preparation. First, remove your shoe trees if you’ve been using them to keep your shoes in shape. Then, you’ll want to remove the laces so you can get stuck in. You can then take your shoe brush and remove any dirt. You can also use shoe cleaner to deep-clean your shoes before you treat and polish them.

2. Use leather conditioner

Before applying polish, many people like to use a leather conditioner or a colored creme. These products act like moisturiser, keeping shoe leather supple, soft, and crack-free. Put a little conditioner on first using a soft cloth. Leave it to sink in for about 10 minutes, then buff it with your polishing brush. You can then use the color creme if you want to restore your leather’s hue. These cremes also have moisturising effects.
Note: before you use a new product on your leather, test a small area to see how it responds.

3. Apply the shoe polish

When applying polish, first check you’re using the right shade. Match it as closely as you can to your shoe's original hue. When in doubt, go neutral. Then, put on a thin, even layer of polish, using circular motions with your soft cloth. Too much polish leaves a heavy residue and is more challenging to buff, so go easy. When all the leather has polish, leave it on for a couple of hours or overnight. You can buff right away if you’re in a rush, but leaving the polish to settle gives you a better shine.

4. Shine your shoes

After applying polish, grab a polishing brush or cloth and rub the leather lightly and quickly in circular motions to bring out that glorious shine. It's like waking your shoes up with a good morning stretch.

5. Finishing touches & maintenance

When you’ve achieved a high shine on your shoes, it’s time to put them back together and work on maintenance. Put your laces back in, or replace them with new ones if the old ones look worn. To keep your shined shoes glossy for longer, you can apply a layer of shoe wax or give them a spritz with a shoe spray. Remember to also replace your shoe trees.

shoe polishing faqs

Why is it important to polish shoes?

Polishing shoes isn't just about aesthetics—it's also about caring for your footwear and making them last longer. Regular polishing protects leather from wear and tear, keeping it supple and preventing cracks. Plus, it adds a polished finish that enhances your overall look. Polished shoes also reflect attention to detail and personal pride, leaving a lasting impression.

Can I polish nubuck leather or suede shoes?

While traditional shoe polish isn't suitable for nubuck leather or suede shoes, specialised products like suede brushes or erasers can help maintain their appearance. Use a gentle brush or eraser to remove dirt and stains, then finish with a protective spray designed for suede or nubuck.

How often should I polish my shoes?

It’s essential to polish your shoes regularly to keep them looking smart. Depending on how often you wear them and the conditions they're exposed to, aim to polish your shoes every 1-2 weeks. However, give them a quick wipe down after each wear to remove any dirt and dust.

Shoe Care Products

Knowing how to polish shoes includes being aware of the right products to use to care for and shine shoes. Shoe care products are crucial for keeping your footwear looking its best. Cleaners, conditioners, polishes, and waterproofing sprays all help keep your shoes in great shape, ensuring they last longer and stay looking swish. So, invest in quality shoe care products and step out with confidence.