Learning how to shine your shoes is an important step for any fashionable gentleman. Little details can have a big impact on your outfit, and knowing how to polish your shoes is a simple way to add an extra touch that makes you look more put-together. Polishing shoes is a very easy process, and the results can be quite impressive, especially if you’re looking to revitalize a well-worn pair.
1. Gather Your Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tin of shoe polish that matches the color of your shoes as closely as possible
- Shoeshine applicator brush
- Horsehair shining brush
- Cleaning rag
- Shine cloth
- Cotton balls
- Newspaper or old towels
2. Prepare Your Workspace
As you learn how to shine your shoes, you’ll quickly discover shoe polish can stain you and your surroundings very easily. Place newspapers, old towels, or any other sort of material down, and put on some old clothes. Even if you’re cautious, it’s easy to make a mess!
3. Clean Any Dirt and Debris
Before you start the process of learning how to polish your shoes, you’ll want to make sure they’re clean. How you accomplish this step is up to you, but a damp rag should do the trick. Just make sure they’re dry before proceeding to the next step.
4. Polish the Shoes
Use your shoe shine applicator brush to apply polish over the entire surface of the shoes. Over time, you’ll learn how to shine your shoes most effectively, but start by using just a small amount of polish until you get a feel for the appropriate amount. Make sure the whole shoe is covered with a very light film, and don’t forget to work the brush in any crevices.
5. Brush the Shoes
After the polish has had 15-20 minutes to sit, take your horsehair shoeshine brush and brush the entire shoe, quickly and firmly. The goal is to remove all of the polish except for the remnants that give the shoe its lustrous shine.
6. Shine the Heels and Toes
While learning how to shine your shoes, you’ll start to get a feel for how much shininess you want. One quick pass can be appropriate if you just want to clean up your shoes, or you can spend some time on them if you want to see your reflection in them. Either way, it’s customary to spend a little extra time on the heels and toes.
Get a cotton ball or shine cloth moist, and wring it out so it’s barely damp. Polish the toes and heels repeatedly in a circular motion until the desired outcome is reached.
Shop Classy Footwear at Just Men’s Shoes
Now that you know how to polish your shoes, why not treat yourself to a new pair of dress shoes or boots? After all, once you know how to shine your shoes, you can really add a sleek, sophisticated look to your attire. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us to speak with one of our in-house experts. Complete your look with dapper shoes, available for less at Just Men’s Shoes!
