Keep your shoes and standards high with smartness and shine!
Shoes are not just for walks; clean and shiny shoes represent your attitude and style. And to achieve this embodiment, shoe polish plays a significant role.
But most of the shoe polish on the market uses chemicals that can harm both your skin and the shoe’s skin. Moreover, you do not always have shoe polish nearby. So, will you wear your murky shoes, or are there any shoe alternatives easily available?
Yes, plenty of products are nearby and in every household that you can use as shoe polish alternatives. You can use olive oil, beeswax, coconut oil, etc., to make your shoes perfect. Moreover, these alternatives are safe for your skin and your shoes, and you can make them easily using home items.
To know more about these and many other things, read this article right now!
What is Shoe Polish Made off?
The purpose of shoe polish (also known as boot polish), typically a waxy paste or cream, is to waterproof, shine, and recover the look of leather shoes and boots while increasing the lifespan of the footwear.
Since a long time ago, various materials have been utilized as shoe polish, beginning with organic materials like wax and tallow. Modern polish formulas were launched at the beginning of the 20th century, and several items from that period, such as Kiwi (started in 1906), are still used today.
Nowadays, shoe polish is typically produced using simple chemical engineering techniques using natural and synthetic components, such as naphtha, turpentine, colors, and gum arabic. If mismanaged, shoe polish can cause skin stains and be poisonous.
Shoe Polish Alternatives
Using commercially produced shoe polish can have harmful effects on your shoe. It is because of all the chemicals used in shoe polish nowadays.
To ensure the longevity of your favorite shoe, switching to homemade shoe polish might be the ideal alternative.
Our team has shortlisted some of the most effective shoe polish alternatives you can make in your home.
| Shoe Polish Alternatives | Pros | Cons |
| Olive Oil And Lemon | AffordableEasy to apply. | Dry out leather. |
| Beeswax | Easily available st store. | Pricy. |
| Coconut Oil | Easily available.Easy to apply. | Unpleasant smell. |
| Lip Balm | Pretty affordable.Easily available. | May need more in quantity. |
| Rubbing Alcohol | Effective.Easy to use.Affordable. | Overuse may cause cracked leather. |
| Oregano Leaves | Easy to apply. | May cost a little. |
| Linseed Oil And Vinegar | Easy to use. | Less available. |
1. Olive Oil and Lemon
Most people have olive oil in their kitchens, so all you need to do is pour a little of it into your shoe, let set for a couple of minutes, and then wipe the shoes clean with a soft polishing cloth.
After applying the olive oil, add a couple of drops of lemon juice and rub to create more shine. Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of this method.
Advantages:
- It’s easy to apply on shoes.
- Pretty affordable
- Convenient as you already have olive oil at home.
- Enter into leather shoes easily, leaving a lovely, silky feel
- Stay for a long time.
Disadvantages:
- Too much application may make a hard time wiping it off.
2. Beeswax
For many years, people have polished shoes using beeswax. I know they are not that available at home; if this method of shoe polishing works, you might want to think about purchasing beeswax in quantity from online stores.
The wax must first be heated, ensuring it is sufficiently soft to apply to the shoes, and then each shoe must be fully coated. Next, polish the shoes to a brilliant shine with a clean, soft cloth.
Let’s focus on some of the advantages and disadvantages of this technique.
Advantages:
- It’s easily available at most craft stores.
- Keep your leather conditioned, supple, and shining.
Disadvantages:
- A bit pricey.
- It can be difficult to heat beeswax to the proper texture sometimes.
3. Coconut Oil
Like other oils, coconut oil works best on leather shoes when you apply a small amount to a piece of cotton and brush it into the shoes. Coconut oil doesn’t need to be used in large quantities because a little goes a long way.
After the shoes have absorbed the coconut oil, polish them with a clean cloth. Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of this method.
Advantages:
- Easily available.
- Affordable.
- Make shoes supple and shiny.
Disadvantages:
- Some coconut oil brands are a tad on the pricey side.
- Coconut oil has a distinct smell that will accompany you most of the day, so you don’t want to use too much of it on your shoes.
4. Lip Balms
Nowadays, everyone wants to recycle, and using lip balm to polish your shoes makes recycling lip balm much simpler.
You heard me right.
Here is something you can do with all the lip balms lying around that are only partially used. Simply apply a little lip balm to the shoes and brush with a soft cloth rather than throwing them aside.
After that, massage the shoe one more with a clean, soft cloth to achieve the desired shine. Let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages of using lip balms in your shoes.
Advantages:
- Lip balm is quite affordable.
- Works effectively.
Disadvantages:
- Lip balm with a strong scent may lead to an unpleasant smell in your shoes.
- You may need more of this product than other alternatives.
5. Rubbing Alcohol
Although most people are unaware, this does work. You only need to apply a modest drop of rubbing alcohol to your shoes and rub it in small circular motions with a small cotton ball to achieve the desired shine.
It actually doesn’t take much-rubbing alcohol for this strategy to work. So that you don’t end up applying too much to your shoes, start with a very modest quantity and build it up from there.
After that, massage the shoes with a clean, soft cloth until you notice a shining finish.
Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of this method.
Advantages:
- Rubbing alcohol is affordable.
- Simple to obtain.
- Easy to use and effective.
- You need only a little.
Disadvantages:
- Overuse of alcohol may create cracks in your leather.
- It’s pretty challenging to find suitable rubbing alcohol as shoe polish.
6. Oregano leaves
Do you know oregano leaves are not only healthy for your shoes; it’s healthy for your shoes too? It’s true.
Oregano leaves are antifungal and antibacterial. So, they take amazing maintenance of the leather in the shoes, preserving their softness, suppleness, and durability. You won’t want to use this technique frequently to shine your shoes, but you’ll be astonished at how efficient it is anyway
You can rub oregano leaves onto your shoe and massage them with a dry cloth to polish them to a high shine, as oregano leaves have essential oils that are excellent for treating leather.
Although it’s not necessarily a typical method, this one is affordable, simple, and effective for making shoes shine.
Let’s discuss some of this method’s advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- With shine and resistance, oregano leaves keep your shoes soft, supple, and durable.
- The process is easy.
- Comes at a reasonable price.
- Efficiently shine your shoes.
Disadvantages:
- Not everyone’s home contains fresh oregano leaves.
- There are some pricey oregano brands.
7. Linseed oil and Vinegar
The linseed oil and vinegar should be combined using this method in a ratio of 2 to 1 before being rubbed on your shoes. You will achieve a superb shine quickly, but it is advised that you test it on a tiny patch of the shoe before using it throughout. This is because different materials respond differently to this mixture.
In addition, if you choose to employ this technique, be careful not to apply an excessive amount, and make sure the oil is completely removed before putting the shoes on.
Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of this method.
Advantages:
- A pretty easy technique.
- Keeps leather shoes supple.
Disadvantages:
- Finding linseed oil can occasionally be challenging.
- Vinegar may dry.
- It’s a lengthy process.
- Occasionally collect mildew on the top
FAQ’s:
- What does shoe polish do?
By replacing the fats and oils drained from the shoe, shoe polish keeps the leather from getting wet or moist. To prevent water stains on the leather throughout the fall and winter, shoe polish and wax are very effective.
- Is shoe polish good for leather?
Yes, shoe polish is good for leather shoes. Several substances, such as waxes, oils, and colors, are used in shoe polish. Leather shoe cleaning and protection are achieved by combining these components.
While oils keep the leather smooth and pliable, waxes act as a barrier against moisture and grime. Dyeing gives shoe polish color and can help hide scuffs and blemishes.
- How frequently should shoes be polished?
Depending on how frequently you wear and take care of them, you should polish your shoes regularly. For instance, you will have to polish your shoes more frequently if you use them every day as opposed to solely on special occasions.
Additionally, if your shoes are subjected to inclement weather like rain or snow, you should shine them more frequently. Generally speaking, it would be beneficial if you tried to polish your shoes once a month or more.
Bottom Line
Shoe polish is essential for shoes not only for shine but also for strength and durability. However, commercial shoe polishes are not always available and due to the chemical, not always healthy for your shoes.
In that case, you may consider an easy shoe polish alternative that you already have at your home. Coconut oil, lip balm, beeswax, oregano leaves, olive oil, etc., are a few of the great alternatives that you can use to polish your shoes.
However, as these alternatives need some guidelines, ensure you use them with proper care and caution.
So, be smart with shiny shoes!
