Shoe-Shine Sundays (Your shoes will thank you)

I already told you how important it is to take proper care of your proper clothes. Well guess what, your kicks need care too (unless they are, literally, Kix, then eat them. With milk. Which is caring in it’s own, milky way). I especially felt this was important to mention after yesterday’s post regarding buying shoes on eBay, because it doesn’t matter how good of condition those new used shoes come in if you dont take proper care of them going forward. The two most important things: shoe trees, and regular polishing. As someone who, until a month or two ago, had never had or done either of these things, this can seem a bit daunting at first, but really, I’m not here to tell you how to do these things, but rather to insist that it’s SO EASY. And kind of fun. Shoe trees are a piece of cake. Grab a pair of unfinished cedar trees with a full heel (you only need one, and you can get them for about $12.00 at Nordstrom Rack), and you’re good to go. Simply put them in your shoes right after you take them off. There’s no need to store them in shoe trees, it’s really just important to use them for about the first hour after wearing. This allows the leather to dry in its natural shape instead of shrinking, creasing, etc. as the moisture comes out. If the shoes are particularly wet, stuff them with newspaper first. DO NOT try to dry your shoes near heat, as it will cause the leather to crack.

Polishing is really just as easy, and just as cheap. You can get all the supplies at your local Target or Walmart or shoe store or anywhere really, but if you’re lazy like me, you can order quality brushes and polishes (Kiwi!) at AllenEdmonds.com (free shipping!) for around $5 a brush. Pick a day on a weekend, spread out some newspapers, pull up the you-tube instructional video of your choice, and get to polishing! You’d be surprised how easy it really is, and like I said it’s kinda fun. There’s a definite sense of satisfaction when you’re all done and holding a shiny-new pair of shoes in your hands. By the second time I did it, it only took my about 15 minutes. And if that’s really all too much for you, you can get shoe shines all over the place, and they only cost a couple dollars. Just make sure to shine and condition your shoes once a week if you are wearing them regularly (I shine mine while I watch the Walking Dead every week. Zombies and shoe shine….aaaahhhh, smells like a Sunday)!

I’m no expert, so I won’t give you a shoe-shine walkthrough, but take this as encouragement that, with all the resources out there, shining your own shoes really is something anyone can do and feel good about. If you have any questions, though, I will be more than happy to (attempt to) answer! Shine away, my friends.