There's nothing like stepping out in a squeaky clean pair of shoes and making a great first impression both at the office and after hours. Call it superficial if you like, but the reality is that shoes are one of the first things people notice when meeting you for the first time -- and trust me, you will be judged on your shoes.
Do you want people to think you're sloppy, unprofessional or even careless? I didn't think so. That said, take the extra time to make sure your shoes look clean and properly shined at all times.
Shining your shoes is a task that will take less than 30 minutes each time, and if you break down the cost of a good shoeshine kit and compare it to the number of times you'll be shining your shoes, you'll see that it's completely worth it in the long run.
A complete shoeshine kit costs anywhere between $25 and $60 depending on the brand and quality of the shoe polish and brushes. Keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for -- a first-rate shoeshine kit is sure to be long-lasting.
A typical shoeshine kit includes:
A shoeshine and polish brush
Shine or buffing cloths (aka chamois or chammy)
A shoehorn
Standard brown and black polish
An all-purpose leather cleaner and conditioner
If you're on a tight budget, there's no need to worry because you can save some money by purchasing each component separately and making your own shoeshine kit. All you'll need are two brushes and some polish, and you can even replace the chamois with a cotton cloth, old T-shirt, socks, or dishrags, which serve the same purpose.
For best results, use cotton swabs or a toothbrush to shine those hard-to-reach spots on your shoes.
Your shoes will be as good as new after these 5 steps
Step 1: Prevention
Better safe than sorry. Take the time to cover your work area with an old rag or newspapers in order to prevent polish stains on your floor. Also, try to be careful throughout your shine job.
Step 2: Start on a clean slate
Before smearing polish all over, make sure your shoes are free of dust and debris. Use a shoeshine brush or a wet cloth to carefully clean away the dust and grime. Wipe off any excess debris with your dry chamois or cotton cloth; just be careful not to scratch the leather.
Step 3: Polish
Once your shoes are clean and dry, apply a sufficient amount of polish with your shoe polish brush. Spread it evenly throughout the shoe. For hard-to-reach areas, use a cotton swab or toothbrush. Wait 15 to 20 minutes for the polish to dry.
Step 4: Back to work
Once your shoe is completely dry, use the shoeshine brush to meticulously wipe off the polish. Again, use a clean cotton swab or toothbrush for those hard-to-reach spots.
Step 5: The finishing touch
Keep in mind that each and every step of the shoeshine process is important. However, they are all rendered useless if your buff job is subpar. Use a clean, lint-free shine cloth or chamois to give your shoes the shine they deserve. That's all there is to it.
So remember to keep your shoes shining if you want to be stylin'.
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