How To Shine Your Shoes
How often do you really look at a man’s shoes?
Well, they’ll be under scrutiny in your wedding photos for years to come. As you’ll recall, this often overlooked but nonetheless essential bit of grooming was central to the plot of The Shawshank Redemption. There were other elements to the plot, yes.
The point is, a great shoe shine will make you feel good – just ask Johnny Cash. Better yet, ask the shoe shine experts of Cherry Blossom for some great tips on how to achieve that mirror shine. And so we did.
1. You can’t polish a turd. Or a dirty shoe.
It is most important that you start with perfectly clean shoes. Do this buy wiping the shoes with damp cloth, then spray with a foam cleaner, ensuring you give the surface an even coverage. Use a soft cloth or brush to work the foam in to any solid areas of built-up dirt. Wait ten seconds and wipe with a clean cloth.
2. Do not tumble dry.
These are your wedding shoes, not your trainers, so no washing or drying them in a pillow case. Allow the shoes to dry at room temperature.
3. Sponge blob round shoes.
What? Oh yeah, now we get to the actual polish. You may have seen soldiers spitting on their boots, but you might want to use a cream polish. Using a sponge, sparingly spread the cream all over the shoe. If using a tube with a sponge applicator, don’t squeeze the tube. Work the sponge in a circular motion over the entire surface of the shoe. Always make sure you work the cream into all the crevices and cracks in the leather. (No risqué marital bed tips from Staggered this week – Ed.)
4. Buffy the chamois leather.
Yes, the terrible puns are necessary. Leave your shoes to dry for three minutes, then take a traditional soft haired shoe brush and buff the shoes in a left-to-right motion, removing any excess polish.
5. Dig your escape tunnel behind a poster of Raquel Welch.
Wait, this was “How To Shine Your Shoes” wasn’t it, “How To Escape The Reception” is next week. The rest is just common sense: stick to footpaths, watch your step, and if you decide to buff the shoes with your trouser leg during the photos, be sure your suit isn’t hired, or a pale colour.
If you’re looking for great results you might wish to try Cherry Blossom Premium’s new ‘Universal cleaner and Cherry Blossom Premium leather cream. Leather cream nourishes and protects, works deep into the leather leaving a longer lasting effect and is suitable for all colours.
Available from Debenhams nationwide or online at www.cherryblossom.co.uk
Related Posts:
Leave your response!