There is nothing worse than going out on the street well dressed but with dirty or stained shoes. The feeling that we transmit is probably not the most positive, and we may be providing a careless image and, even, not very clean or serious. And it’s not enough just to clean them, it’s also very important to know how to care for them and keep them in good condition. In this sense, how is it possible to get shiny shoes all the time? Discover a simple routine that will be of great help to you.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The essentials you will need every time you want to have shiny shoes
While when it comes to cleaning leather, a durable material but extremely sensitive to dirt, water and heat, it is necessary to have a leather (or toothbrush) brush, a little water, mild soap Without abrasives and some cream, to clean any shoe it is essential to have a series of tools or basic elements. Take note:
- Bitumen. There are two types of shoe polish that you can choose from, cream or wax. Choosing between one or the other will depend directly on the type of finish you want. For example, a cream shoe polish will provide a lesser amount of shine, but will help hydrate the leather as it absorbs. However, cream shoe polish could also affect the color of the leather. On the other hand, the wax bitumen will provide a greater layer of shine, covering the marks and also applying a protective layer. Of course, it is necessary to match the enamel or bitumen with the color of the material of the shoe that we want to treat, as close as possible.
- Polishing cloth. Using a soft polishing cloth is critical to making your shoes shine. The ideal? Try to use a specific cloth specially designed for cleaning shoes. But if it is not possible, you can choose to use an old t-shirt.
- Clean cloth. In addition to the shoe polishing cloth, it is also essential to use a clean cloth to clean the shoe of dirt, and to also clean excess shoe polish.
- Horsehair polishing brush. Horsehair brushes are the best for brushing the shoe, as they have been designed to achieve a good shine. In addition, they are resistant but soft enough not to scratch the body, helping to lift the fibers of it.
- Edging brush. It is a type of brush, somewhat smaller, that will help remove dirt and is extremely useful for applying bitumen in areas where access is much more difficult.
- A cup of water. Believe it or not, it is especially suitable for achieving a truly brilliant finish.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
How to make shoes really shine? Step by step
1. Take off the laces
Remove the shoelaces. This is a fundamental step, which on many occasions -perhaps due to haste- we tend to forget. Remove them and put them in a safe place.
2. Stuff the shoe
To help make cleaning your shoe much easier and easier, you can insert a bit of paper into the toe of the shoe. In this way you will ensure that the surface to be worked on always remains firm.
3. Clean dust and dirt
Use a dry brush to remove both dust and dirt from the shoes. You can use the edging brush and a bit of water to get into the small spaces, but always make sure to allow the leather to dry completely before moving on to the next stitch. Scrub the trim with your small brush of any dirt or grime.
4. Apply shoe polish
In the polishing cloth add a little bitumen or enamel, and always do it on the surface of the shoe with circular movements. This will help create friction that will slightly melt the wax, allowing it to spread much more evenly. If necessary, add more bitumen. Continue until the shoe has a waxy matte look.
5. Continue through the rest of the shoe
Do not forget some equally important areas, such as the heel and any other place that we easily tend to neglect. Let the polish dry for 10 minutes.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
6. shine the shoe
With the help of the horsehair brush, polish the entire shoe. It is necessary to do it with quick movements, from side to side. Soon you’ll start to see how glitter appears.
7. Cleaning
With the help of a clean cloth, remove excess wax. You must do it with patience in each part of the shoe, in order to achieve a good result. Before proceeding to the next step, you must wait at least 10 minutes.
8. Sculpt the shine
With a little water you could get an even brighter finish. To start, use your finger to place a drop of water on the shoe. Then, with the polishing cloth, rub a small amount of polish into the drop of water, in quick, small circles. Repeat this process around the entire shoe.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
9. Dry and reattach the laces
After finishing the process, let the shoes dry on their own for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, once they’re completely dry, push the laces back into place.
