by Dan Blade

Created on: March 28, 2010

Keeping shoes and boots looking sharp important if you always want to look your best when you  go to work or just head out of the house. However many kinds of shoes and boots do need to be shined regularly in order to look good.

Rather than pay for a professional shoeshine, why not shine your own shoes and boots?

The process isn't that hard once you have the right equipment and know-how. The process can be a little time consuming, but on the plus side, you can catch up on your favorite TV show or listen to some music while giving the shine.

Here's a run-down of the equipment and know-how you'll need to get those shoes and boots shined:

Equipment:

It is important to have the right materials on hand to shine your shoes or boots. To prepare for the shine, you'll need the following items:

*Small drop cloth (old towel) something you will not mind getting stained.

*Shoe polish (almost any brand of show polish will do, but if you want a high gloss shine you may want to search for them specifically)

*Soft rags (old fashion non padded cloth diapers work really well)

*A  shining cloth

*A dish of water

Set up and Technique:

*Place the drop cloth down over your work area.

*Open the shoe polish can and prepare dish of water (you can use the top of the shoe polish, this dish will get polish on it so no fine china please)

*Place a finger or two into a soft cloth and wrap around hand so it stays in place.

*Wet the soft cloth then rub the shoe polish until it is soft and a layer sticks.

*With a small circular motion, no bigger than a quarter apply polish to the shoe or boot.  Move about half a quarter diameter after few circles and continue until the entire shoe or boot is covered with shoe polish

Hint: the more polish, the smaller the circular and the more circular, the more of a shine you will get.

*Next take a clean cloth and wipe around your finger(s), the wet cloth and repeat (without the shoe polish).  This will start to take the polish off and give it a shine.

*The next set is to take another soft cloth and rub down the shoe or boot to clear off any remaining polish.

*Finally (sort of) is to rub down the shoe or boot with a shining cloth. This will give the shoe or boot a nice shine for work.

Added benefit is that layers of polish will help make your shoe or book water resistance, which will mean dryer feet.  And dry feet are happy feet.

When you need to look professional or just want to look your best from your head to your feet, the finest way to complete your attire is a set of highly polished shoes or boots.

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