3 Ways To Shine Shoes - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Personal Care and Style
• Footwear
• Shoes
• Care of Shoes

How to Shine Shoes Download Article Keep your dress shoes or leather boots looking like new Co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim

Last Updated: July 24, 2025

Download Article

• Simple Polish and Shine
|
• Spit Shine
|
• Fire Shine
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim. Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN. This article has been viewed 903,712 times.

Well-shined shoes are an essential accessory to any sharp outfit, and will make a good impression when you walk into a room. There are several methods of shining shoes -- from a simple buffing with a chamois cloth, to military-style spit shining, to dare-devilish fire shining. Read below to find out which method appeals to you.

Easy Shoe Shining Steps

• Lay out a newspaper to prepare a work surface. Get your shoes, polish, a cloth, a polishing brush, and a horsehair shoe brush.
• Clean your shoes with the dampened cloth to remove dirt.
• Apply the shoe polish in circular motions with the polishing brush, one shoe at a time.
• Remove excess polish with the brush and buff with the cloth.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Simple Polish and Shine

Download Article

1. 1 Gather your shoe shining supplies. Properly shining your shoes will require certain supplies, which you can purchase altogether in a specialized shoe shining kit or you can piece together individually. The non-negotiable you will need include a tin of shoe polish, a horsehair shoe brush and a soft cloth.
   • Tins of shoe polish are available in a variety of colors, from browns to blacks to neutrals. Try to get a polish that's as close to the original color as possible.
   • Polishes are also available in both wax and cream varieties; cream polishes feed the leather and make it more supple, whereas wax polishes make the shoes more water resistant. If possible, get a tin of each and alternate between the two with every second polish.
   • The soft cloth can be a specialized buffing cloth, such as a chamois or "shammy", or just an old t-shirt.
   • Optional extras include a polishing brush (used to apply the polish), a toothbrush or some cotton buds, sole dressing and a leather cleaner and conditioner.
2. 2 Prepare your work space. It is important to prepare your work space so you can avoid getting shoe polish on any furniture or flooring. Shoe polish can be extremely difficult to remove, so you don't want it anywhere but on your shoes.
   • Lay down some newspaper or old paper bags on the floor or work surface and grab a cushion or pull up a comfortable chair -- shoe shining can take some time.
   • If you're planning on doing a very thorough job on your shoes, it is probably best to remove the laces before you polish. This way you can easily get at the tongue.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Clean the shoes to remove any dirt. Before you begin polishing, rub down the surface of each shoe with your horsehair brush or a dampened cloth to remove any dirt, dust, salt or other debris.[1] This is important, because if any debris is left on the surface of the shoes it might scratch the shoes as you polish.
   • Leave the shoes to dry completely before moving on the next stage.
   • If the shoes are very dirty or worn out looking, you may want to clean them more thoroughly using a leather cleaner and conditioner before polishing.
4. 4 Apply the shoe polish. Using an old t-shirt or polishing brush apply an even layer of polish to the surface of the first shoe. Use a circular motion to really work the polish into every part of the shoe. Pay extra attention to the toe and heel, which may need an extra layer of polish as these areas tend to get the most wear.
   • If you are using an old t-shirt or cloth for this step, try to wrap the cloth tightly around your hand and use your index and middle finger to work the polish into the shoe.
   • You may also want to shine the section of the sole between the heel and toe which doesn't touch the ground, as this may be visible as you walk.
   • Use a toothbrush or cotton bud to work the polish into hard-to-reach areas, such as the edges of the upper and the crevices in the vamp.
   • Once you have finished polishing the first shoe, set it aside on the newspaper and begin the same process with the second shoe. Allow each shoe to dry for about 15 minutes before moving onto the next step.
5. 5 Remove the excess polish with a shoeshine brush. Once the polish is dry, you can begin to remove the excess with your horsehair shoeshine brush. Brush the entire shoe vigorously, using short, even strokes. Remember that the movement should come from your wrist, not your elbow.
   • This step is necessary to remove the extra polish, while the heat generated from the quick strokes helps the rest of the polish to sink in.
   • While an old t-shirt or cloth can be used for most of the steps in the shoe shining process, a proper shine brush is necessary for this particular step, and cannot be replaced by anything else.
   • Make sure to use a different brush for each color of polish. Otherwise you run the risk of adding the previous color to the current shoe. Especially when the previous polish is darker than the current.
   • You may want to use a clean cotton bud or toothbrush or cotton bud again at this point to remove any extra polish from cracks and crevices.
6. 6 Buff the shoes with a cloth. The final step in the polishing and shining process is to take an old (clean) t-shirt or chamois cloth and buff the shoes until you achieve a high shine. Use a brisk side-to-side motion for buffing -- this may be easier to do using a shine butler or while actually wearing the shoe.
   • Some people advise breathing onto the toe of the shoe (like you would do to fog a mirror) before buffing to add extra shine.[2]
   • If you like, you can also apply a sole dressing to the outside edges of the sole to give them a nice shine, but this is completely optional.
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Spit Shine

Download Article

1. 1 Prep the shoes and apply the first layer of polish. The first steps involved in spit shining shoes are the same as above. First, you will need to clean the shoes with a damp cloth or horsehair brush to remove any dirt and debris. Then you will apply the first layer of polish using a cloth or polishing brush, using small circular motions to really work the polish into the leather.
   • Allow the polish to dry for about 15 minutes before moving on to the next step.
2. 2 Dip a cloth or cotton ball into water. Spit shining involves using a damp cloth or cotton ball to apply successive layers of polish. If using a cloth, make sure to wrap it tightly around your hand, with the index and middle fingers covered by the material. Dip your cloth-covered fingers or a cotton ball into a dish of of water until wet but not dripping.
   • The water is used to prevent the polish from sticking to the cloth and encourage it to stay on the shoes instead.
   • Some people prefer to use rubbing alcohol instead of water.
3. 3 Buff the shoes. Pick up a shoe and begin buffing the first layer of dried polish using the damp cloth or cotton ball. Work slowly, using small circular motions to really work the polish into the shoe. Spit shining is all about finesse, not speed.
   • Work from the toe to the heel, doing one side of the shoe at a time.
   • Move onto the second shoe once the first has developed a nice even shine.
4. 4 Dip the cloth into water again and apply a second layer of polish. When you have finished buffing and the shoes are completely dry, dip the cloth or cotton ball into the water again and wring out until just damp. Use this dampened material to apply a second light layer of polish to the surface of the shoes, using the same thorough technique as before.
   • After this second polish, you should begin to see a hazy shine developing on the surface of the shoe.[3]
5. 5 Continue to apply additional light layers of polish to the shoes with a wet cloth, until you achieve the desired shine. The surface of the shoes should be perfectly smooth and even, with a glass-like shine.
   • It is very important that you apply multiple light layers as opposed to just one or two thick layers -- this allows each successive layer to build on the previous one, giving spit shined shoes their mirror-like finish.
   • If you like, you can use a chamois or an old t-shirt to give the shoes one final buff before wearing, though this may be unnecessary.
Advertisement

Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Fire Shine

Download Article

1. 1 Clean the shoes. Before fire shining your shoes, you will need to remove any dirt or debris using a damp cloth or horsehair brush. This will prevent the surface of the shoes from becoming scratched while polishing. Some people will also use a technique known as "stripping" before doing a fire shine, which basically involves removing any previous coatings of polish from the shoes. To strip your shoes:
   • Apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol to each shoe and work it into the surfaces using a cotton cloth. You should notice previous layers of polish rubbing off onto the cloth.
   • It may take some time to complete this process and get the surface of the shoes evenly stripped, but it will be worth it for shoes so shiny you'll be able to see your reflection in them!
2. 2 Ignite the shoe polish with a lighter. Now comes the fun part. Open your can of shoe polish (most regular brands of shoe polish will work fine) and hold it upside down, over a cigarette lighter. Turn on the lighter and allow the surface of the polish to catch fire. Quickly turn it right side up so none of the melting polish drips onto the floor.[4]
   • Allow the polish to burn for a couple of seconds, then extinguish the flame by blowing it out or carefully replacing the lid.
   • When you reopen the tin, the surface of the polish should be melted and gooey.
   • Be extremely careful when using this method of shoe shining. Fire is dangerous and can cause burns. It may be best to wear a glove while doing this, and have a bucket of water close by in case of emergencies.
3. 3 Apply the melted polish to the shoes with a dampened cloth. Wrap an old t-shirt around your hands and dip it into a cup of warm water until wet but not dripping. Dip this wet cloth into the melted polish and start applying it to the shoes, using small circular motions.
   • Take your time and try to really work the polish into the shoes in a smooth, even layer. Don't forget to work the polish into any hard-to-reach cracks or crevices.
   • If you need more polish, or if the cloth becomes too dry, dip it in the water and polish again.
4. 4 Continue to apply light layers of polish until the shoes begin to shine. Depending on the shoes, you may need to add multiple layers of polish to achieve the desired shine. Use the same technique each time, dipping the damp cloth into the melted polish and working it evenly into the shoes.
   • Remember that it's better to use multiple light layers of polish than one or two thick ones.
   • Make sure that you let each additional layer of polish dry completely before moving onto the next. Shoe shining requires a lot of patience.
5. 5 Heat the surface of the shoes with a lighter or hair dryer. This step is completely optional, but will really help to add shine to your shoes. Take your lighter (or hairdryer set to high heat) and run the flame over the entire surface of the shoe.
   • The flame should never actually touch the shoe, but should be close enough to allow the polish to melt.
   • Never hold the flame over one spot, or it will burn the leather. Keep it moving constantly, as if spray painting. Stop once the polish has melted slightly and the surface of the shoes look wet.[4]
   • Set the shoes aside for 15 to 20 minutes until the melted polish has dried.
6. 6 Apply a final layer of polish. You can now apply one final layer of polish, using the same technique as before. Your shoes should be extremely shiny by now, almost glass-like in appearance. If you want, you can use a chamois or any clean, lint-free cloth to give the shoes one last buff.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question What advice do you have for removing oil from leather, suede and canvas shoes? Rio Jongsae Kim Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN. Rio Jongsae Kim Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist Expert Answer You can add cornstarch or baby powder to cover the oil stain and leave them for a couple of hours. Cornstarch/baby powder will absorb most of the oil stain. Wipe it off with a shoe brush and wet rag to remove the excess cornstarch/baby powder. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0
• Question What is the best way to clean a shoe like leather Sperrys? Rio Jongsae Kim Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN. Rio Jongsae Kim Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist Expert Answer Brush the shoes to remove dust first, and then apply leather cleaner with a horsehair brush. Wipe off the dirty foam with wet rag and air dry them for a couple of hours. Apply leather conditioner to protect the surface of the leather from stains. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
• Question How can I shine shoes without polish? Community Answer To make your shoes shine without polish, you can use water or a dry cotton. But remember if you clean with water; your shoes might get damaged. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 26

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

• Polishes build up on leather (and may cause a haze to develop) so it is best to occasionally use a saddle soap and leather conditioner to clean the leather. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 2
• Don't use a brush on your shoe. It is bad for the leather. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 6
• Shoe polishes contain alcohol. Leather is no different than your skin. If you put alcohol on it, the alcohol will dry it out and continual use will lead to cracking. There is more alcohol in liquid and hard waxes than in cream polishes, so use accordingly. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3

Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• The basic shoe shining technique is effective for basic dress shoes, but for a real "hard" or "military" shine, using a brush and buffing cloth will actually make your shoes worse. A hard shine can only be achieved by spit-shining (more often water than spit as spit is bad for the polish) or fire shining. Thanks Helpful 21 Not Helpful 6
• Shoe polish is messy, so put down some newspaper to protect the surface under your shoe shining effort. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 8

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

• Liquid or wax polish
• Brush
• Soft cloth
• Storage box for supplies

You Might Also Like

How toPolish Shoes How toSpit Shine Boots How to Clean Dress Shoes (And Keep Them Looking Like New) How toUse Shoe Cream How toRepair Scuffed Leather Shoes How toPolish Boots How toPolish Brown Shoes How toRemove Wrong Shoe Polish How toGive Your Parade Shoes That Mirror Finish How toRemove Dark Scuffs From Shoes How toMaintain Leather Shoes How to Clean the Soles of Shoes with Expert Tips How toRepair Scratches on Leather Shoes How toClean Leather Shoes Advertisement

References

1. ↑ Rio Jongsae Kim. Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist. Expert Interview
2. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/11/08/shoe-shining-guide/
3. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/07/29/how-to-get-the-best-shoe-shine/
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://voices.yahoo.com/how-fire-shine-shoes-4857162.html?cat=25

About This Article

Co-authored by: Rio Jongsae Kim Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist This article was co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim. Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN. This article has been viewed 903,712 times. 11 votes - 91% Co-authors: 42 Updated: July 24, 2025 Views: 903,712 Categories: Featured Articles | Care of Shoes Article SummaryX

To shine a pair of shoes, cover your work surface with newspaper or paper bags and remove the laces from your shoes. Wipe down the surface of the shoes with a horsehair brush or a dampened cloth to remove any dirt or debris, but make sure you let them dry completely before moving on. Apply your shoe polish with an old t-shirt or a polishing brush with a circular motion, and work the polish into every part of the shoe. Pay extra attention to the toe and heel, which often get the most wear. Remove the extra polish with a shoeshine brush and buff the shoes with a cloth. If you want to learn how to shine and buff your shoes with water, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish German Italian French Chinese Russian Indonesian Dutch Czech Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 903,712 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Gregory Cole

  Feb 9, 2017

  "Answered my question better than any other site."

Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Rio Jongsae Kim Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist Co-authors: 42 Updated: July 24, 2025 Views: 903,712 91% of readers found this article helpful. 11 votes - 91% Click a star to add your vote

Gregory Cole

Feb 9, 2017

"Answered my question better than any other site." Share yours!

Quizzes & Games

What Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizDo I Smell Bad QuizTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizTake QuizWhat Color Should I Paint My Nails QuizTake QuizWhat’s My Perfect Hair Care Routine?Take Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toPolish ShoesHow toSpit Shine BootsHow to Clean Dress Shoes (And Keep Them Looking Like New)How toUse Shoe Cream

Trending Articles

Mental Illness TestType A B C D Personality TestCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizAm I Autistic QuizDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NameHow toPractice Kissing

Watch Articles

Amazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForHow toDevelop Listening SkillsHow toNot Lose Your GirlfriendHow to Draw an OwlHow toTreat AllergiesHow toIntroduce Friends to Other Friends

Trending Articles

5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your ShapeWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Depression Test for TeensSCP Fight Simulator: Who Will Win?How toKiss Passionately

Quizzes & Games

What's My Clothing Style Quiz (For Men)Take QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizMy Shoe + My Year GeneratorGenerateWhat Should I Wear Today QuizTake QuizWhat's My Hate Language QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Reality Check Do I Need QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Personal Care and Style
• Footwear
• Shoes
• Care of Shoes

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --500