To help your little ones look spick and span when they head to school, you may be considering giving their leather school shoes a polish. However, it's all too easy to grab the wrong shoe polish in the rush of everyday life, especially when you're juggling work, school runs and everything in between.
If this happens, though, there’s no need to panic or worry about finding a replacement pair. With the right steps, you can remove the polish and restore your child’s shoes to their former condition.
Accidentally using the wrong colour of shoe polish can be frustrating, but don’t worry! It’s easier to fix than you might think as long as you act quickly. Simply follow the steps below to remove any unwanted polish.
1. Gather your supplies
Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need within arm’s reach. You’ll need four or five soft cloths, mild soap or saddle soap, warm water and a soft-bristled brush. For more stubborn areas of polish, you may want to also grab a little white vinegar.
2. Remove shoelaces
If your child’s shoes have shoelaces, it’s a good idea to remove these before you start cleaning. This not only prevents the laces from getting stained or soaked during cleaning but also allows you to access the tongue and other hidden areas where polish might have spread.
3. Wipe off any excess polish
Start by using a dry, soft cloth to gently wipe the shoe’s surface. The goal here is to lift as much of the excess polish as possible without pushing it further into the material. Make sure not to rub too hard as this could cause further damage - a gentle buffing motion should be enough. You may be able to remove some of the polish immediately this way, especially if it hasn’t had time to fully set.
4. Dampen the shoes
Before applying soap, it’s helpful to lightly dampen the shoes. Use a fresh cloth and wet it slightly before gently wiping down the surface of each shoe. It’s important not to get the shoes too wet, though, as over-saturation can damage materials like leather.
5. Clean with soap and water
Saddle soap works well to clean different types of leather but if you don’t have this to hand, any mild soap should do the job. Start by rubbing your wet cloth on the soap to get a lather. You can then scrub the affected areas using small, circular motions. The soap will help break down the remaining polish while being gentle enough to avoid damaging the shoe.
Top tip! For more stubborn spots, especially in hard-to-reach areas like seams or stitching, you can use a soft-bristled brush to gently loosen and lift the polish.
6. Rinse and dry
After scrubbing the shoes, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any soapy residue. Once the shoes are wiped clean, allow them to air dry naturally. Avoid using heat when drying as this can warp or crack the shoe’s material.
7. If needed, remove any remaining stains
If you’ve completed the steps above and find there are still some stubborn polish stains on the shoe, you can use a small amount of white vinegar. Apply a tiny bit to a soft cloth and gently rub the area.
Top tip! Before using this method on large stains, try it on a small, inconspicuous area of the shoe first to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage to the shoe.
8. Polish again
Once the shoes are completely dry, it’s time to reapply the correct colour of shoe polish, whether that’s black, navy or another colour. Apply a small amount evenly over the shoe then use a soft cloth to buff the polish in circular motions, which helps to smooth out the application and bring out a clean, polished finish.
To make the process of polishing shoes easier, especially if your little ones have multiple pairs in different colours, it’s worth considering neutral shoe polish. This versatile product typically comes in a creamy or waxy form and works to rejuvenate the leather, enhancing its natural appearance without altering its original colour.
Using neutral shoe polish can be a significant money saver. Instead of buying several polishes to match every shoe colour, you can opt for a single jar of neutral polish. Not only does it make polishing multiple pairs of shoes that much easier, it also reduces the likelihood of using the wrong colour polish on your children’s footwear.
Author: Click, published 16-10-2024.
