How To: Polish shoes

Learn how to polish shoes.

You don't have to know how to get them Army-regulation shiny, but you should have some basic training.

You Will Need

* Newspaper
* A shoe brush
* Clean rags
* Shoe polish that matches your shoes
* And a lighter or matches
* A mild cleanser, like saddle soap
* And a shoebox
* Newspaper
* A shoe brush
* Clean rags
* Shoe polish that matches your shoes
* And a lighter or matches
* A mild cleanser, like saddle soap
* And a shoebox

Step 1. Put down newspaper

Put down some newspaper where you are going to work.

Step 2. Brush away dirt

Take out the laces and use the shoe brush to remove any dirt from the exterior of your shoes.

Step 3. Wipe shoes down

Wipe down your shoes with a damp clean cloth to make sure they're clean.

Step 4. Open the polish

Open a canister of shoe polish.

Step 5. Ready the rag

Wrap a clean rag around your index and middle fingers, making sure that the rag is tight against the pads of your fingertips.

Step 6. Apply polish

Dip your rag-covered fingertips into the shoe polish and apply them to your shoe with a circular motion, about one to two inches in diameter.

Step 7. Spit

Spit on your shoe where you've just applied polish.

Step 8. Rub

Rub the polish into your shoe with your rag-coated fingers, moving them in a circular motion.

Step 9. Watch the swirls

As you rub the polish, you will notice "swirls" appearing in the polished areas.

Step 10. Apply, wet, and rub the polish on all the other leather areas, until the whole shoe has had a layer of polish applied.

Step 11. Add more layers

Add more layers of polish to your shoe, each time using less polish, until your shoes are mirror shiny.

Step 12. Brush lightly

Brush the shoe very lightly with the shoe brush to bring out the best shine.

Step 13. Let them dry

Re-lace the shoes and let them dry in a cool room or a sho