How to Maintain and Shine Your Shoes

1. Remove your laces and stuff the shoes with a shoe tree to maintain the shape.

2. Clean dust and dirt from the surface of your shoes or boots with a shoeshine brush or cloth.

3. Select a can of wax or cream shoe polish that matches the leather you want to polish.

4. Use a shoe polish brush to apply a conservative amount of polish to the surface of the leather. Brush in circular motions until the leather has a dull coating. Get into tight spots using an old toothbrush.

5. Wait 15 minutes while the polish dries.

6. Brush shoes or boots with a shoeshine brush.

7. Buff to a gleaming shine with a clean cotton cloth, such as an old sweat sock or T-shirt.‍‍

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Tips and Warnings:

• If you're in doubt about how to do the best job for your shoes, talk to a shoemaker, who will usually explain the process for no charge.
• Don't polish suede, roughout, or patent leather. "Instant" or "EZ" shoe polishes generally do not last and can harm shoe leather.
• Don't try to use black polish to change the color of brown leather. If you want to do this, hire a professional shoemaker to dye the shoes.