Make sure to polish the welts of your shoes. To do so, dip a welt brush or toothbrush into the polish. Apply the polish to your boot using small, circular motions, when able to. This brush will also come in handy when you are ready to polish the heel and other small areas. [10] X Research source Cover your work area with newspapers or a towel. Polishing your boots can be a messy ordeal. Make sure to take the proper precautions before applying your polish and save yourself the potential frustration of dealing with a stained kitchen table. [4] X Research source verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Do not worry if there is an increase in friction between your finger and your boot along with a matted or cloudy texture. This only means that the wax is beginning to harden and you will want to continue shaping it into a smooth layer.

The Best Shoe Polish | Reviews, Ratings, Comparisons The Best Shoe Polish | Reviews, Ratings, Comparisons

Remove the laces from your boots to access their entire surface. Having easy access to the entire surface of your boots is important for creating an even shine. To create a sturdier space to work on, you can insert shoe trees into your boots.Allow your boots to sit for another 10 minutes. Before continuing, you need to make sure that your boots are completely dry. Even if you decide not to buff or shine them, they must be dry before you wear them. [15] X Research source Make sure you are only using clean parts of the rag. If you don’t feel that you have enough clean area left on your rag, grab a new one. https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-leather-shoes-and-care-for-leather-boots/#how-to-care-for-leather-boots-and-shoes Add a small amount of wax to the damp cloth on your fingertip. The smaller amount of wax you use here, the better. Using too much wax will take too long to dry and will not dry evenly.

Tried and Tested: Wax Polishes | Blog - Cadet Direct Tried and Tested: Wax Polishes | Blog - Cadet Direct

Use a small, circular motion to apply your polish. Begin applying the polish to one small area, such as the toe of your boot, at a time. This will ensure that you are not missing any scuffs or scrapes that could possibly be overlooked. Continue to use small, circular motions as you apply polish to the remaining area of your boot, re-saturating your cloth with polish as needed. [8] X Research source Use a cream or wax based polish. These will provide better nourishment and coloring for your boots. Wax based polishes have a higher concentration of hard wax that will create a better shine. Because of the stronger concentration of wax, this type of polish will help you protect your boots from liquids, scratches, and scuffs. [5] X Research source Allow your polish to dry for at least 10 minutes. Once you have completely covered your boot with your polish, allow the polish to dry completely before moving on. [11] X Research source Don't scrub your boot harshly—this should be a very gentle process. [13] X Expert Source Penny Simmons

Dip one corner of a clean, lint-free rag into your polish. Begin by only submerging one corner of the cloth into your polish at a time. Ensure that the corner gets fully saturated before you start applying the polish to your boots. [7] X Research source Repeat the steps as needed to remove tougher stains. For deeper stains or wear, repeat the previous process. Your ideal finished boot will have a waxy or matte finish to it. [16] X Research source

Parade Gloss Polish | KIWI® Products KIWI® Parade Gloss Polish | KIWI® Products

For oil-tanned leather, use an oil or conditioner for polishing. Simply use a clean cloth, dab it into the oil or conditioner, and lightly spread it thoroughly across your boot. Oil-tanned leather will have been treated with oil to help make the boots more resistant to various types of weather. [6] X Research source Only apply a very thin layer of the polish to your shoes—if you put on too much, it's just going to sit on the surface of the leather, and it's not going to soak in. [9] X Expert Source Penny Simmons Place 1-2 drops of warm water onto a cotton cloth. Wrap a clean piece of a cotton cloth securely around your index finger, molding it as close to the outline of your finger as you can. Add the water to the tip of the cloth on your finger.Reapply the wax until you achieve your desired level of shine. Even when reapplying the wax, make sure to follow the previous steps exactly. Applying too much wax will create a hard surface that will not result in a shiny finish. Wipe your boot with the clean parts of your rag. This will remove any extra wax or cream that may be left on the surface. Removing any excess cream or wax will help your boots dry evenly, preventing areas of buildup. [14] X Research source Don’t use your favorite bathroom or kitchen towels to cover the area as some polishes can leave a permanent stain. Use saddle soap if your boots need a deeper clean. Dip a damp cloth in saddle soap and rub that into your shoes. If you don't have any saddle soap, use just a little baby shampoo mixed with a small amount of water. Either way, make sure not to saturate your shoe when you're cleaning it, as that will damage the leather. [3] X Expert Source Penny Simmons