While Lar is out and about in Edinburgh exploring castle ruins and city farmers markets, I’m at home. . . shining my shoes. . . on my deck. . . still wrapped with Christmas lights from last year (no point in taking them down now – Christmas is just around the corner!). I lead an exciting life.
While I’d much rather be visiting the Scottish countryside, I do get a lot of pleasure in taking care of my clothing. Somehow shining my shoes is cathartic; it feels go to do something that prolongs the life of an item when so many products these days aren’t made to last.
I’m no expert, so I’m not sure if I shine my shoes correctly, but it gets the job done. So, without further ado, here’s how I go about taking care of my shoes.
Tools: Horse hair shoe shine brush, can of Kiwi Regular Shoe Polish in black, applicator sponge, shine cloth and SureHold SureFlex adhesive. Everything except the adhesive (more on that later) is from a shoe shine kit that I’ve had for ages. All these items are available online or at your local drugstore.
First up, I brush off any excess dirt. If my heels are really caked in mud I’ll use a toothbrush with soap and water to clean them. When I asked Troy to take these photos the other day I was feeling way too lazy to use soap and water, so you only get a pic of me dry brushing:
Next, apply the polish. I dab my applicator sponge in the polish and then move along the shoe in circular motions, making sure to cover all of the scuff marks.
I love how the polish packaging is so still old-school. I rue the day Kiwi decides to make their tins out of plastic!
Last step: take a shine cloth and buff in the polish. If you want some extra shine, you can sprinkle on a little bit of water and buff a little bit more. Or you can go really crazy and add another layer of polish and buff again! I usually just stick with one application of polish and a little bit of water.
Now for some satisfying before and after shots:
Ah. So much better, no?
But we’re not done yet! I have two more shoe care tips I want to share.
Tip 1: Buy a tube of SureHold SureFlex adhesive. I hate, hate, hate that feeling when your inside sole detaches from the bottom interior of the shoe and starts bunching up right under your heel. Eventually all of my favorite pair of shoes suffer from this because I tend to over-wear shoes I love. So a few years ago I did some research – and by research I mean I Googled “best glue for inside of shoe” – and discovered this SureHold stuff. I was so concerned that any glue I used inside the shoe would make the sole too stiff and make it even more uncomfortable, but this stuff works like a charm. The inside sole becomes as good as new!
Tip Two: If you don’t want your boots to get slouchy and don’t feel like buying expensive boot shapers or making your own, just use a rolled up magazine. I’ve had these Frye boots for over two years and whenever I’m not wearing them I’ve used the same rolled up issues of Yoga Journal inside each boot. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
So there you have it! Now you’re all shoe shining experts!
Next post: polishing silver! I’m kidding. . . mostly.
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Dearest Lar,
I bet you don’t have to shine your Hunter boots – those things are indestructible. If it rained more here, I would absolutely buy a pair. Now, on the issue of ethical clothing, I like the idea of purchasing vegan shoes and purses, but they never seem to last nearly as long as leather products. I wish there was a shoe shining equivalent for non-leather items.
I had so much fun at the Lady Foot Locker/Under Armour event last weekend – even though I’m completely out of shape. It would have been even more fun if you could have come with me. The icing on the cake was that every blogger at the event got a pair of Under Armour shoes – the ones I’m wearing in the top photo and below:
Photo via Lady Foot Locker
I’m hoping there will be some fun blogger events when you come into town for the holidays. I’m so tired of saying, “Hey, I’m Cath, one half of the AsianCajuns.”
Love, Cath xoxo
can i hire you to shine my shoes???????????????
Hahaha! Honestly, if I had the time, I would say YES!!!
Kitcath, I LOVE this!!! I think you must have gotten all of Dad’s take-care-of-things genes because I don’t own polish and really want to buy a shoe shine kit now. And two more things:
1) Matt and I were watching season six of West Wing the other night and Josh talks to Senator Alan Alda (forget his name in the show) and the whole time Alan is buffing his shoes! I was telling Matt “my dad and Cath do that!” Were you watching telepathically?
2) Special Agent Cooper would be proud. Wish I could send you pie and coffee for your efforts.
Love your new work out shoesies as well, but I’m so glad that I wasn’t at the Lady Foot Locker event — I would have disgraced you with my out-of-shapeness. I can walk up hills fast, but that’s it. Anything on a flat plane leaves me knackered.
Oh and as for vegan shoes, I totally understand! I’ve just been reading about the leather industry (horrible standards), but at the same time a lot of the vegan materials aren’t great for the environment. It’s all a muddle and so hard to be ethical. But taking care of what you own (even if it’s leather) is a HUGE step in the right direction we all need to go. Must go find a shoe shine kit this weekend 🙂
LOVE YOU!!!
xoxox,
Lar
I’m sure you’ve seen the Poirot where he is shining his shoes and telling Hastings how to do it. But, Hasting is day dreaming about some girl and Poirot gets infuriated. Hahaha. Ah, we love TV too much.
I’m so excited that you’re getting into Twin Peaks. What a wonderfully weird show! Like I told you, the first season is so great, you’ll have to watch the second season no matter how many times I tell you it sucks. It’s all part of the Twin Peaks experience.
Love you!!! – Cath
Dang it! I just started the second season, but I’ll console myself with pie (or at least a gluten-free macaron) at the end.
And I love that Poirot! What is it about finicky, yet finessed investigators that is so watchable/delightful?
Hey Cath,
Where in Atlanta did you buy your Frye boots?? I’m currently on the quest of finding the perfect black boot and Frye keeps calling my name.but not at the price they are online!
Hi Ariel (this is actually Lar 😉
Cath and I both had to save up for our Fryes because they are so darned expensive! I bought my first pair at Eviva (in Decatur, but closed a few years ago). The black boots Cath has in this post were bought online at Shopbop using their free shipping. A few times a year they have sales, and I’ve seen better deals on boots then. That said, I know they are still pricey.
Squash Blossom in Decatur usually carries Fryes too. During the spring, their winter shoes are usually on sale.
Hope that helps!
Thanks Lar!! I MAY just cave and get some.they will last for years so I should think of it as an investment *looks at my college student bank account* . and it’ll be an excuse to finally go to Squash Blossom =)
Hey, I went through a similar ritual with all of my shoes at the beginning of fall, except instead of polishing them I cleaned and sprayed them. Totally agree about the feeling of satisfaction and catharsis at the end.
OMG, I so needed this post. I hate getting rid of shoes. I hold on to them forever, and these are great tips.
I also really want those Aldo shoes. Hmmm, how old are they?
great tips!!! and the shoes all look almost brand new! good job!
For reals, it’s vital to know how to keep your boots looking lovely! Not to mention waterproof. At least if you live in Michigan. Also: brilliant idea about keeping the boots’ shape! Who has boot shapers, anyway? English lords, probably.
zomg, you are super dedicated, Cath. When I was in elementary school, I had to wear leather shoes, and I had 2-3 pairs that I had to clean and shine myself every week. I think that’s why I’ve avoided buying leather shoes hahaha.
♥ laura
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Catherine, thanks so much for the great tips. I have one pair of shoes which I love to wear during the winter but last year the sole detached. I’m definitely purchasing the adhesive.