Shoe polish is a great way to add some shine and depth to your shoes, but it can also leave your leather feeling stiff. Luckily, there are many ways you can soften shoe polish so that the next time you use it, you have soft shoes without any stiffness! In this blog post, we will be going over all of these methods and how each one helps to make shoe polish softer. In this article, we will discuss How to Soften Shoe Polish in detail.
Materials Required
- Soft cloth
- Water
- Dish soap or liquid hand soap
- A shoe brush
- Shoe polish remover or acetone
Procedures: How to Soften Shoe Polish
Step One: Use a Soft Cloth to Clean the Leather
Start off by using a soft cloth and some water. This is perfect for leather that needs just a light to cleanse before you apply any other treatments. The goal here is not to fully wash away all of the polish but rather to rejuvenate your shoes so that they will be more effective when you apply other treatments.
Step Two: Add a Dab of Dish Soap or Liquid Hand Soap
Dish soap or liquid hand soap is going to work just as well for this step, but dish soap tends to have a long-lasting fragrance. You can use a little bit of soap to clean the leather hinges on your shoes as well, but make sure that you rub it off before applying any other treatments.
Step Three: Use a Shoe Brush
Next up is using a shoe brush! These are great for cleaning dirt and grime from the surface of your shoes without any water whatsoever. The bristles are also very good at getting into the crevices of your shoe to remove hidden dirt and grime, as well as any excess polish that may have been left behind during a previous cleaning session.
Step Four: Apply Some Leather Conditioner
This step is optional but highly recommended because it will help give your shoes a glossy, clean finish. You can apply the conditioner to your shoe with your hands or use an applicator brush for more precision and control.
Step Five: Apply Some Shoe Polish
This is where you get down to business! Dabbing on some polish will help protect the leather from any future harm – even if you’re only wearing your favorite pair for a few hours. The polish will also give the shoes that much-needed shine and make them look brand new again!
Step Six: Clean Up After Done
Finally, after all of this hard work, you’ll want to clean up any messes you may have created while applying shoe polish or cleaning the shoe. Make sure to remove any excess polish or dirt from the shoes, and then put them back in their original place, so they’re out of harm’s way.
Bonus Tips & Tricks To Soften Shoe Polish
1) Rub the heel with a bar of soap or vinegar to soften shoe polish.
2) Add glycerin in place of water when mixing up new polishes for softened shoes. It will keep your polish moist and soft longer, too!
3) Use olive oil instead of petroleum jelly on leather boots. It provides protection against cracking as well.
4) Apply a coat of polish to the shoes and let them dry for 15 minutes or so before putting them on if they are very stiff from new shoe leather. This will help soften up your shoes!
5) To make a durable finish, use linseed oil instead of clear lacquer to seal newly polished shoes in order to preserve the shape of the shoe.
6) If you want a softer finish, use boiled linseed oil and an old toothbrush to polish your shoes instead!
We hope these tips will help extend and maintain the life of your shoe polish!
Prevent Shoe Polish From Drying Out
There are a few things you can do to prevent shoe polish from drying out. Here we mentioned them below:
1) Store in an airtight container that is also moisture resistant, such as a zip lock bag.
2) Dab on petroleum jelly before closing the lid to seal out oxygen and keep it from evaporating too quickly.
3) Pour olive oil into your shoe polish tins for added protection against dryness and cracking.
4) Apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the inside lid before putting it on the top.
5) Place an opened bag or jar of butter next to your polish tins for added preservation.
6) You can use an anti-fungal spray, which will help kill anything on it and keep it wet for longer.
7) Make sure to keep the polish away from your clothes or anything else it will stain when applying and removing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Soften Shoe Polish?
Softening shoe polish allows it to apply better and more evenly. It also helps remove some of the ingredients that cause drying, capping, or cracking on your skin, like alcohols and formaldehyde, which can be damaging in larger quantities over time.
Can I Soften Shoe Polish in Microwave?
No, you should not heat shoe polish. This can cause the ingredients to react too quickly and form lumps that will make your shoes look uneven or lumpy when applying because they are clumped together instead of spreading out evenly.
How Long Does Shoe Polish Last?
The shelf life of shoe polish depends on many different factors, such as how often you wear your shoes, what type of surface they’re being worn on, the temperature outside or inside, and other environmental conditions that may affect their lifespan. Most good-quality polishes will last about 18-24 months, but this is not a hard-fast rule, so if you feel like there’s an issue with your shoe polish, then make sure to contact the manufacturer.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to soften shoe polish, look no further! With the help of a little bit of water, you can soften shoe polish, so it is easier to apply to your shoes. This way, your shoes will be shinier and more protected from wear and tear! You’ll also have an easier time buffing out any scuffs that may happen during daily use.
We have shared some of our tips on the subject with all of our readers and offer a basic overview of how to soften shoe polish in general at home or professionally. Use these tricks next time to your favorite pair of shoes to see if these tips work.
If your shoe polish sticks to the carpet, how do you clean it? For this, you can read our article – How to Remove Shoe Polish From Carpet.
