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Shoe shine and lace refresh

by MASTER

Restore the appearance of scuffed dress shoes and clean or replace dirty laces before wearing them to work or an event.

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What's inside

Shoe shine and lace refresh

Restore the appearance of scuffed dress shoes and clean or replace dirty laces before wearing them to work or an event.

⏱ 30 min★ Medium
Target

A pair of leather or synthetic shoes have a dull finish, visible scuff marks, dirt on the soles, and laces that are stained or frayed.

Obstacle

Scuffs hold embedded dirt in creases and around the welt so polish can sit unevenly, and the laces are stained or frayed so they won't look tidy after a simple wipe.

Expectation

Shoes will show an even polished finish with reduced scuffs, clean soles, and laces that are either cleaned or replaced, neatly threaded and tied.

Materials
  • • Shoe polish (wax or cream, matching color or neutral) — 1 tin
  • • Leather cleaner or mild saddle soap — 1 bar
  • • Leather conditioner — 1 bottle
  • • Replacement laces — 1 pair
  • • Paper towels — 4 sheet
Tools
  • • Horsehair polishing brush — 1
  • • Soft cotton polishing cloths — 2
  • • Stiff brush or old toothbrush — 1
  • • Shoe trees or crumpled paper — 1
  • • Small applicator brush or dauber — 1
Steps
  1. 01
    Prepare and remove laces
    Untie and remove laces, insert shoe trees or crumpled paper, wipe off loose dirt from uppers and soles with a damp cloth and use the stiff brush on welts and treads to remove embedded grit.
    ⏱ 6 min
  2. 02
    Clean leather and treat scuffs
    Apply leather cleaner to a cloth or toothbrush, work into scuffed areas and seams with small circular motions, then wipe away residue and let leather sit for a minute before applying conditioner to any dry spots.
    ⏱ 6 min
  3. 03
    Apply polish
    Use the applicator brush or a cloth to spread a thin, even coat of polish across the toe, vamp, and heel, concentrating on scuffs and seams; allow polish to set for a few minutes.
    ⏱ 6 min
  4. 04
    Buff to a shine
    Use the horsehair brush to briskly buff the polish in long strokes and the clean cloth for circular polishing on the toe and heel until a consistent sheen appears.
    ⏱ 6 min
  5. 05
    Refresh or replace laces and final inspection
    Hand-wash laces in mild soap and air-dry or replace with new laces, re-lace the shoes neatly, tie them, and inspect for missed spots, touching up any remaining scuffs.
    ⏱ 6 min