How to polish shoes
Reading time: 4 min | Last updated: 11 December 2025
Your favourite pair of shoes might need a little extra attention after a busy week. Polishing your shoes not only helps them look great but also extends their lifespan! With the right care, your shoes will stay comfortable and looking fabulous on your feet. So, by investing just a few minutes a week, your shoes will continue to look top-notch! Let’s learn how to polish shoes in this blog.
Polishing your shoes
Polishing your shoes is more than just a quick clean – it’s key to extending both the lifespan and comfort of your footwear. Whether you’ve got a pair of leather boots or a lovely set of suede sneakers, regular care prevents wear and tear, keeping your shoes in prime condition.
A good polish protects the material from dirt, moisture, and damage, making your shoes look better and last longer. With the right products and a little attention, you’ll be giving your shoes the care they deserve, ensuring you step out with confidence.
Polishing suede shoes
Suede shoes are a beautiful choice, but they require a bit more care than leather. Fortunately, maintaining them isn’t too complicated. The most important thing? Keep them away from water, as it can cause stains.
For a quick refresh, use a special suede brush to remove dirt. Stubborn stains? Use a suede cleaner or our Suede + Nubuck Box. Want to know exactly how to polish suede shoes? Check out our blog on how to clean suede shoes for detailed instructions.
Polishing leather shoes
Polishing leather shoes works a bit differently than suede. Leather shoes benefit from regular care to keep the material supple and to prevent cracking or drying out.
Start by removing dust and dirt with a damp cloth. Then use a good shoe polish to protect the leather. Bonus: the polish gives a beautiful, natural shine. How about our Carbon Gold Tube? This cream nourishes and protects your gorgeous leather shoes.
For more in-depth guidance on caring for leather shoes, have a look at our blog on how to clean leather shoes.
How to polish shoes
Perhaps the most important question on this page: how should you polish your shoes? If you’re going to take the time, you obviously want the best results. Polishing shoes may seem easy, but using the right technique and order is essential. We’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide for you:
- Clean your shoes: Always start by removing dirt or dust with a soft (old) cloth or brush.
- Apply shoe polish: Use a clean cloth or brush to apply a thin layer of shoe polish.
- Polish the surface: Use small, circular motions to rub the polish into the material. Make sure to cover every surface.
- Let the shoes dry: Allow the shoes time to let the polish soak in and dry.
- Buff the shoes: Use a clean brush or cloth to buff the shoes and restore their shine.
By following these steps, you can ensure your shoes not only look great but stay in top shape. And to keep their shape as best as possible, it’s important to store them properly.
Polishing white shoes
White shoes… It seems like they get dirty just by looking at them! They can be quite the challenge when it comes to upkeep – stains show up so quickly. A quick polish every week is really the best approach.
With a little attention, you can get your white shoes looking like new again. Using a special cleaner for white shoes (like our Sneaker White) works wonders, or you can mix water and baking soda for a more natural solution.
Looking for more tips on cleaning white shoes? Check out our blog on how to clean white shoes.
How often should you polish your shoes?
Maintaining your shoes is not just about appearances, but also comfort. Our advice: polish your shoes every 2-3 weeks, depending on how often you wear them. You’ll be able to spot if your shoes have stains or if the leather looks a bit dry. An extra polish in between won’t hurt either!
And don’t forget the insoles! If you notice that your insoles are worn out, it’s time to replace them. Replacing your insoles can greatly extend the life of your shoes and give your feet that fresh feeling again. It can also significantly improve comfort. Find our insoles here.
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These shoes are of excellent quality. With proper care, they'll stay beautiful for a long time – sustainable for the planet and smart for your wallet. Our maintenance tips: