Office Leather Shoes Care

mr1974

Hi all

I've just bought a couple of pair of office leather shoes from Clark. Really nice and I must admit that they are much better than my £200+ Hugo boss pair.:cool:

Question on shoes care products. The shop assistant was really keen on flogging onto me all kind of shoe care products... And I was really tempted to buy them, as I am starting to trust this Clarks brand to much.

but before I get too corrupted I thought I'd ask my fellow moneysavers what they think. What's the way to go with office leather shoe care?
Keet it cheap and good value for money! :T

Many thanks for any comments.
MR1974

hilstep2000

Cherry Blossom polish is the best I reckon. Available from the supermarket. You need to buy some shoe brushes as well. Work the polish in with a duster/rag, then brush them hard working it in really well. Takes a bit of elbow grease, but you should have really good polished shoesw. Do this at least once a week and your shoes should last for ages!

ragz_2

Thanks for this, I just bought leather boots and am too scared to wear them until I know how to look after them!

rowsew

Also, wiping clean every evening, and letting them air off from being worn. I recommend the Cherry Blossom polish too. I used to use Kiwi, but can't find it very often. Good bristle brushes for the final shine really make a difference, and if you're walking in the rain a lot, a squirt of waterproofing spray seems to help too. I walk everywhere, all my shoes are leather and I've been looking after them since I was taught how to back in dark ages at my grammar school (when they still taught useful stuff!). If you look after them properly they should last you a good long time. I'll be teaching my small ones how to do their school shoes soon, when I am prepared for the polish on the floor, cupboards and children scenario!

Corpsebride86

Banana Skins, because Bananas contain potassium, which is also a key ingredient in shoe polish.

To polish your shoes, all you need to do is eat the banana, rub the banana peeling on your shoes, buff with a soft cloth, and then sit back and admire your shoe polishing job.

I use shoe polish as well but inbetween polishes use Banana skin :rotfl:

brings them up to a lovely shine the only thing is you need to give them a good buff to make sure you wipe off any pulpy bits other wise this will go sticky:p

Austin_Allegro

Use a good quality shoe polish from a tin - kiwi, cherry blossom etc, supermarket own brands are ok too. Don't bother with sprays or things with sponges, they are a waste of money.

Use two brushes, one for 'on' and one for 'off' - (one to apply the polish and work it in, and one to brush it off with). You only need a small amount of polish. Work it in well, including into the welt (the stitching between the shoe and the upper) and, if you have leather soles, polish the bit between the sole and heel that doesn't get walked on, as it helps the sole last longer (supposedly).

Finally buff with a soft cloth or duster. For a really good shine you can 'bull' them army-style (dip a bit of wet cotton wool in polish and work it gently in circles until you get a high shine.

I always let my shoes rest a day as well; if you wear the same shoes every day I think they probably don't last as long as having two pairs which you alternate, because they need to dry out.

Rainy-Days

Ideally if you can wear the shoes on alternate days that will be beneficial to them and let the leather 'breathe' as well. You still perspire in your shoes everyday so it's a good idea.

I tend to Kiwi polish as well although I also found a really good shoe polish with real beeswax and also carnuba in when we were in Northumberland at a place where they make their own products.

Also keep an eye on your heels as well and when they get low take them to the cobblers for re-heeling. I bought a pair of Next leather shoes in the sale about 12 years ago now. I have had them re-heeled so many times I have lost count. I use them allot for work but also keep them clean. It does make sense to look after your things but don't get swayed into buying expensive products when a trip to Wilkinsons to buy cheap brushes and reasonably proced shoe polish is all you need. I also use old dusters as well to put polish off.

Austin_Allegro

What about getting segs/Blakeys (little metal things you put on the heels and toes of your shoes to prevent wear).

I used to have some of these and they are great for preventing wear on heels and soles, though they do make you sound like a tap dancer when you're walking. I would imagine they might make short work of laminate floors too...

mr1974

Austin_Allegro wrote: »

Use a good quality shoe polish from a tin - kiwi, cherry blossom etc, supermarket own brands are ok too. Don't bother with sprays or things with sponges, they are a waste of money.

Use two brushes, one for 'on' and one for 'off' - (one to apply the polish and work it in, and one to brush it off with). You only need a small amount of polish. Work it in well, including into the welt (the stitching between the shoe and the upper) and, if you have leather soles, polish the bit between the sole and heel that doesn't get walked on, as it helps the sole last longer (supposedly).

Finally buff with a soft cloth or duster. For a really good shine you can 'bull' them army-style (dip a bit of wet cotton wool in polish and work it gently in circles until you get a high shine.

I always let my shoes rest a day as well; if you wear the same shoes every day I think they probably don't last as long as having two pairs which you alternate, because they need to dry out.

I went to have a look at this priceless thread on leather shoes care today, and I would like to ask whether this tin I found at home is any good:
"Kiwi PARADE GLOSS
Premium Shoe polish
DARK TAN"

The main reason I am asking is because of the special variety - I understand the Kiwi brand is good, but I'm not sure about this particular tin.

I would like to polish these boots: http://goo.gl/J64hRY

I went on amazon to check for Cherry Blossom tins and there are so many. Apart from the obvious ones to exclude (because of the colour) any particular recommendation?

Edit: I have found the following in poundland - obviously I'm keen on them, being only a £1:
http://goo.gl/qq5Puc
http://goo.gl/uvRWH7

Regards
MR

Cannyquine

I'd use the £1 tin of cherry blossom polish rather than the sponge!

Seakay

Kiwi Parade Gloss is great for a high shine. You put the polish on with a (very slightly) damp cloth and then use a brush to take off and a duster for final polish. They will gleam!