odds & ends item from JUNE-AUGUST 2010
How to Polish Your Shoes
When others form opinions about us, they first do so based on our appearance. While one’s conduct and manners are certainly important, most people immediately notice how we look. As a young person in God’s Church, you should strive to have a look of quality.
A key aspect is footwear. Though it is easy to think of shoes as an unimportant part of one’s wardrobe, many will actually notice your shoes first! It is important to keep your shoes in good condition and to polish them regularly.
Below is a primer on how to keep leather shoes in the best shape possible. While some points only apply to men, ladies can also employ certain tips to clean their shoes:
• First, remove the laces and wipe off any dirt or debris. You can use a damp cotton or linen cloth to wipe down the shoe’s surface.
• Next, use a toothbrush (or consider purchasing a “welt brush”) to clean the area where the sole meets the upper leather of the shoe.
Source: Canstockphoto.com
• “Edge dressing” can be used to renew the color of the edge of the heel and sole of your shoes. This should only be applied after the shoe is clean. Be careful not to get edge dressing on the rest of the shoe.
• Once the edge dressing has dried, apply shoe polish in a circular motion with a cotton cloth.
• After the polish dries (this will take about five minutes), buff the shoe with a horsehair brush.
Source: Canstockphoto.com
• Then, buff the heel and the toe with a non-abrasive cloth to bring out the shine.
• For an even brighter shine, you can add a little water to your polishing cloth and apply an additional coat of polish before repeating the previous two steps.
For shoes made of synthetic material, it is best to simply use water and a washcloth to clean them. If you do have leather shoes, you can usually find all the materials you will need to polish them at your local department store for a low cost.
To store your shoes, it is a good idea to purchase “shoe trees.” These help remove moisture and maintain the shoe’s shape. These are available for both men and women.
Additionally, to greatly reduce wear and tear on men’s shoes, consider purchasing rubber galoshes to wear during snow or rain. Likewise, ladies may wish to wear boots and then change into their formal footwear upon stepping indoors.