leather shoes

How to Polish Shoes to a Mirror Shine?

February 8, 2020 by Annet

Polishing shoes was once a skill that lots of people learned. At some point, it became far more common to have shoes professionally polished, especially for men. Even if you are financially able to hire someone to polish your shoes, it’s still a talent you should master. In fact, you can learn how to polish shoes to a mirror shine and then share that knowledge with others. Why does it matter? Because there’s nothing like walking into a room with leather shoes that have a mirror shine. It will set you apart from the crowd.

Using the Right Tools to Polish Shoes

Learning how to polish shoes to a mirror shine starts with making sure you have the tools of the trade. For starters, you’ll need polishing cloths made of cotton chamois. This is partly how you’ll get amazing results. The next thing you’ll need is a horsehair bristle shoeshine brush. You can’t skimp in this area because you simply won’t see the same results. With this type of brush, you’ll have a better chance of achieving an amazing sheen. Keep in mind that the bristles should be 100% horsehair. There are different size brushes and you can choose the one that feels comfortable.

When it comes to the products used to polish your shoes, leather conditioner should be near the top of your list. Many believe good technique is more important than the products used. Others believe a good conditioner is a game changer. If you truly want a mirror shine, choose a quality conditioner and develop a good technique. The next product on your list should be a shoe polish that’s cream-based. Why? Because it does a great job at camouflaging imperfections and scuffs. To some degree, there is trial and error when it comes to polishing shoes because cream-based shoe polish is often the great option, but wax-based shoe polish is also an important tool of the trade.

Preparing Your Shoes

Before you begin the process of actually polishing your shoes, you’ll need to make sure you prepare them. This includes finding a comfortable place to sit and using the cloth to eliminate any dust or dirt that’s on your shoes. You may need to use a damp cloth to get rid of debris on your shoes. After wiping your shoes, set them aside to fully dry. You should be able to look at the shoes and see that they’re completely clean.

Once your shoes are clean, now it’s time to add conditioner followed directly by polish. The key is making sure you don’t use too much polish. The areas of your shoe that are particularly worn should receive a greater amount of conditioner. After applying the conditioner and the polish to your shoes, you’ll have to let them sit for short amount of time so that both products can set in. By the time you add conditioner and polish to the second shoe, the first one will be ready to polish. You’ll then use your horsehair bristle brush to start the polishing process.

How to Polish Shoes to Obtain a Mirror Shine

Although you are essentially done with polishing your shoes, there’s one more step required to achieve a mirror shine. That step is working in an additional dab of polish into each shoe. This is a tiny amount that’s placed onto the cloth and worked into the shoes in a circular motion. The cloth should be slightly damp. It’s actually the small circular motion that will yield a high shine. You’ll know when you get there because it will be the best shine you’ve ever achieved.

How to Clean Used Shoes?

February 6, 2020 by Annet

Everyone wears shoes and at some point they need to be cleaned, especially if you have purchased shoes that are already used. The information below will teach you how to clean used shoes with ease. From sneakers to flip flops, you can clean them up in very little time.

Tips on How to Clean Your Used Shoes

White Sneakers

White sneakers are a popular fashion trend and they have been for a long time. Despite the fact that they often get dirty, men and women of all ages wear white shoes. To clean a pair of used white sneakers, you’ll need white vinegar or nail polish remover. You’ll also need gloves, a toothbrush and a handful of cotton balls. Put either nail polish remover or white vinegar on a cotton ball and scrub areas that have scratches or marks. You can use the toothbrush to scrub large sections that are dirty. Complete the process by rinsing the areas cleaned using warm water.

Leather Shoes

The way you clean leather shoes is different from how you should clean other types of shoes. Leather shoes require you to remove particles with a solution that’s not as strong as what’s used for other materials. You can start by diluting white vinegar with water in equal parts. You’ll need a soft towel that will be used to eliminate any stains. If there are scuff marks on the shoes, use pure baking soda and a damp towel to buff them out.

Suede Shoes

Suede shoes can be cleaned using a scrub brush with medium bristles. No solution is required and the scrub brush should go back and forth with pressure to eliminate stains. If this brushing technique does not eliminate stains, consider using an eraser or a nail file to buff them out. As a spot treatment, you can use rubbing alcohol or white vinegar to lighten or eliminate spots altogether. When learning how to clean used shoes that are suede, take your time and do a little bit at a time until you develop a good technique.

Running Shoes

Since they’re often worn during rigorous activity, used running shoes tend to have a lot of dirt on them. You can start the process of removing that dirt by scrubbing them with a toothbrush. Once you have removed the dirt, create a solution that includes a tablespoon of laundry detergent and two cups of warm water. This solution can be used on mesh, rubber and fabric. It’s best to avoid using it on leather. After cleaning the shoes, use a soft towel or sponge to wipe them down. You should remove the shoe laces before you get started and wash them with a load of clothes. If the method provided for cleaning the shoes does not work, consider putting both shoes into the washing machine on a delicate and short cycle.

Flip Flops

Used flip flops can be cleaned by simply putting them under warm water and then using a little bit of baking soda and a toothbrush to scrub off the dirt. Depending on the durability of the flip flops, you might be able to put them in the washing machine. If you choose this option, use cold water and a delicate setting.

Patent Leather Shoes

Patent leather shoes are quite easy to clean. You can start with a cotton ball and petroleum jelly. By rubbing the petroleum jelly onto any areas where marks exist, you’ll likely eliminate the marks. If that doesn’t work, consider using glass cleaner.

After learning how to clean used shoes, you can take advantage of great deals and fill your closet with your favorite shoe styles.

How to Soften Leather Shoes?

February 6, 2020 by Annet

Leather shoes are among the most expensive shoes in the world, and it’s for a good reason. We all know they look elegant, but there are practical advantages to leather shoes as well. The leather material has a naturally cooling effect on your feet, meaning that you can wear leather in very warm temperatures and never break a sweat. Once leather shoes are broke in and mold to your feet, they’re comfortable, but before then, things can be a challenge. If you’re suffering right now from blisters or other leather shoe related problems, pay attention. There are natural ways on how to soften leather shoes to prevent foot aches and blisters.

Tips on How to Soften Leather Shoes

How can you keep leather shoes from harming your feet before they’re completely broke in?

Using Oil to Soften Leather Shoes

The first recommended way to soften leather shoes is to use some type of oil that’s suitable for leather. It’ll loosen the leathery materials and make your shoes more comfortable.

1. Oil softens leather shoes

You’ll need to clean your leather shoes very well before beginning this process. Never apply oil to leather shoes before you’ve thoroughly cleaned the shoes. You can clean leather shoes with just a lightly dampened cloth.

2. Grab your oil

The first question will be which kind of oil. People report terrific results with coconut oil, saddle soap, and mink oil, among many others. If you’re confused as to which kind of oil might be best, just try one of those three most commonly used oils and see your results. Eventually you’ll find your perfect oil for your leather shoes.

Use rubbing alcohol

A second popular way to soften leather is to use plain old rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is an indispensable household item, one that most of us wouldn’t live without, but there are people who don’t know just how great it is for softening leather shoes.

1. Grab plain rubbing alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is what you’re looking for. The kind of alcohol that you drink doesn’t work.

2. Use a cotton ball

Saturate a cotton ball in some rubbing alcohol and get to softening those leather shoes. Your shoes will need about 30 minutes to dry after this treatment. Remember to remove your laces if you’re going to reach every little crevice of your leather shoes. Tongues can be hard to reach if the laces are kept in, and this can really affect your results.

3. Apply Vaseline

After your shoes are dry, use a brush to apply Vaseline to your leather shoes. You need just a thin layer! Don’t go overboard with it.

4. Touch your shoes and test them out

If you’re comfortable with the level of softness, then you’re done! If the leather is more inflexible than you’d like, you can repeat this process starting with the rubbing alcohol until you reach the desired level of softness.

Try it Out

Everyone has a different level of comfort they’re seeking for their leather shoes. Some folks don’t react badly at all to leather shoes and never develop blisters or experience discomfort. Other people find that their leather shoes drastically cause problems with their feet. If you’re one of those people, please give the techniques in this brief overview a try. Softening your leather shoes should relieve a lot of the foot pain or blisters you’re experiencing from weather leather shoes. Leather shoes, especially new ones, frequently cause this kind of reaction, so you’re not alone. Thankfully, people just like you find a lot of relief in applying the aforementioned techniques, and by using these strategies, you can be the next lucky person with an elegant, soft pair of leather shoes.