Caring for leather shoes is essential, especially during the autumn-winter period. It may seem like a simple procedure, but it turns out that most of us make mistakes with it that the shoes will not forgive. That is why they deteriorate quickly. Learn how to properly polish your shoes to keep them looking like new for years to come.

  • Applying additional layers of polish blocks the shoe leather and prevents it from absorbing nutrients. This is a common mistake.
  • After polishing, shoes should be buffed with a brush to remove excess product.
  • Start polishing from the toe of the shoe, then cover the middle, sides, heel, sides of the heel and the sole.

In addition to shoe cleaning, shoe polishing is also mandatory maintenance. It is especially necessary in autumn and winter, when footwear is most exposed to dirt and moisture, as well as the harmful effects of salt spilled on streets and sidewalks.

The role of the shoe cream is not only to refresh the appearance of the shoes, but above all to protect them. Unfortunately, this mechanism does not work if we make basic mistakes when polishing shoes. We will discuss them below.

The key polishing mistake: layering on top of each other

This is a fundamental error. Most of us simply apply another layer of polish, foam or cream to our shoes. This subsequently blocks the skin and does not allow it to absorb any substances, which shoe preparations should provide. As a result, even the best and most expensive shoe cosmetics will not have a protective or nourishing effect on your shoes. They only dry out the leather and create a lacquered layer on it that damages the shoes instead of helping them. This creates cracks and fissures on the skin.

To prevent this, we should start every second or third polishing by washing off the previous layers of shoe cosmetics. You do this with shoe polish or soap. After this operation, the leather of the shoe will open and will be able to absorb the moisturizing and nourishing substances from the creams and pastes.

No polishing

The second mistake we make is after the polishing itself. We usually finish it in the phase of applying the product. Meanwhile, after about 15 minutes, we should polish the shoes with a brush to remove excess polish, cream or foam. This will prevent a dried crust from forming on our shoes, which can promote their damage.

In addition, after polishing with a brush, it is worth wiping the shoes with a soft cotton cloth to make them look even more beautiful. Thanks to such care, our shoes will not only look better, but will also be more resistant to damage, so they will last longer.

How to properly polish shoes?

Mistakes can easily be made even during the polishing itself. It is recommended to follow a certain order. Always start from the toe of the shoe. Then polish the product on the middle and sides of the shoe and finally on the heel. The sides of the heel and the sole should also be polished.

If you find that the leather of the shoes is dry, rub it with baby oil overnight and wipe off the excess with a cloth the next day.

Do you have microfiber towels? If you make this mistake, you better throw them in the trash immediately