{"id":1117,"date":"2023-05-04T07:19:28","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T07:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mrellis.co.uk\/?p=1117"},"modified":"2023-05-04T07:19:47","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T07:19:47","slug":"how-to-polish-oxford-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mrellis.co.uk\/how-to-polish-oxford-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Polish Oxford Shoes {Video Inside}"},"content":{"rendered":"

Polishing shoes is important for more than just aesthetics. Sure, polish will bring out the best in your Oxfords. But polish also plays an important role in protecting your shoes and making sure they last a long time.<\/p>\n

Below is a guide on how to polish Oxford shoes, plus tips on how to clean and condition them for extra care and protection<\/a>. Note that this guide applies to Oxford leather shoes.<\/p>\n

Why Is It Important to Polish Shoes?<\/h2>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

Many of us polish our shoes mostly to make them gleam and shine. But as you laboriously shine and buff your Oxfords, you are also nourishing and protecting the leather.<\/p>\n

Think of shoe polish as anti-ageing cream or treatment for your shoes.<\/p>\n

Without any maintenance or care, a pair of Oxford shoes<\/a> will age quickly. Exposure to the moisture, heat and the elements will cause the leather to fade, crack and even rot.<\/p>\n

Polish contains waxes and oils that treat and replenish the leather. Polishing Oxford shoes ensures that the leather never dries out (which prevents cracking and dry rot). It also keeps the leather from absorbing too much water, which would also damage the shoes.<\/p>\n

A pair of Oxfords that\u2019s been polished regularly can maintain its looks and quality for five years or more even with frequent use.<\/p>\n

How Often Should You Polish Oxford Shoes?<\/h2>\n

As good as polishing shoes is, you can overdo it. Using too much polish can damage the leather and reduce the lifespan of your Oxfords.<\/p>\n

How often you polish your shoes depends on how often you wear them<\/a>. The more frequently you wear them, the faster the polish fades.<\/p>\n

If you wear your Oxfords daily (not a good idea) or several times a week, you only need to polish them once a week. In between polishes, you can use a brush or soft cloth to wipe away any dirt or dust.<\/p>\n

Dry brushing will also help maintain the shine on your shoes.<\/p>\n

If you only wear your Oxfords once or twice a week, you can go 2-4 weeks between polishes.<\/p>\n

How to Clean Oxford Shoes<\/h2>\n

Never polish shoes that are dirty. Applying polish on top of dirt and stains can damage the leather and cause parts of the shoes to rot.<\/p>\n

Polishing dirty shoes also causes friction that can scuff and scratch the leather. Before you start polishing, the first step is to clean your Oxfords.<\/p>\n

If they are not too dirty, a quick clean is adequate. Simply dust the shoes with a brush or microfiber cloth.<\/p>\n

If the shoes are a bit dirtier or they have a few stains, wipe them with a damp microfiber cloth then leave them to dry.<\/p>\n

If the shoes are very dirty, do a deep clean using saddle soap and a dauber brush.<\/p>\n

Saddle soap is a special type of soap formulated specifically for cleaning leather. Do not use other detergents as they can damage the leather.<\/p>\n

Dip the dauber brush (you can also use a soft toothbrush) in warm water then rub it on the saddle soap to create lather.<\/p>\n

Rub the now lathered brush on the shoes in circular motions, making sure you cover everywhere. Make sure the shoes don’t get too wet.<\/p>\n

Use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to wipe the soap off the shoes. Let the shoes air dry for 24 hours before polishing them.<\/p>\n

Tip: Deep clean your Oxfords every 1-2 months even if they are not dirty. This removes the build-up of waxes and oils from the polish to prevent clogging. After deep cleaning, condition the shoes to replenish the oils and waxes.<\/p>\n

If you are not sure how to use saddle soap, here is a video that will help. The bloke in the video is cleaning leather boots, but the same process applies to Oxfords. Remember to remove the shoe laces whether you are quick cleaning or deep cleaning.<\/p>\n