Yes, me too, Franbern
One DC has narrow feet so had to have Startrite which were, of course, more expensive 😀
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When did you last clean your shoes?
(89 Posts)I managed to get a pair of blue leather shoes a bit muddy. After wiping the surface mud off, I searched out the shoe cleaning kit and did a proper job with a tube of blue wax and a cloth. Also in the bag were shoe brushes and tins of polish, which have not been used for years. Cherry Blossom was one trade name. I had to throw the tins away as the contents had dried up. I think the brushes were army issue!
My late husband was meticulous about his shoes but even he had given up proper cleaning and just used the special impregnated sponges you can buy in the supermarket.
When did you last clean a pair of shoes properly?
Does anyone?
I clean the soles of my boots or shoes on a regular basis, especially in this weather. OH always cleans his walking boots when he gets back from walking the dog - and does the same with GS when he is here too.
I went to my shoe cleaning box to buff up some shabby leather shoes for a funeral (not for the shoes) and all the polish had dried up.
I remember cleaning ( with polish and brush) my school shoes every day after school. We all cleaned our own school shoes on a piece of newspaper if inside. Years later it was my son’s school shoes. I tried to teach him to clean his own shoes with the spong applicators ( he has learning disability) and in the end resorted to machine washable trainers for him. Now- I do polish shoes as needed - but rarely - it’s more a case of brushing off mud or dirt- or sticking washable daps in the machine. I still use waterproofing on walking boots. I’m familiar with the dried up tins of cherry blossom if it’s a colour I haven’t used for years.
The polishing pad I use now was my corduroy stuffed chin pad made originally to hold my childhood violin!
I clean my boots most weekends ......... tin of black polish, two separate brushes and I am as happy as a pig in muck......I LOVE cleaning boots and shoes!
And during the week I give the leather a wipe over with some wax protection stuff I bought years ago......brings the shine up lovely!
Not cleaned but waterproofed my new suede boots.
I love cleaning leather shoes it gives me a sense of satisfaction, the nourishment from the wax also means they're likely to last longer. My dad was ex army and he taught me how to shine shoes as a child, I hate to see leather shoes that aren't cared for but my granddaughter's shoes are never polished, they think it's a weird thing to do 😄
I recently rootled through one of our utility room cupboards, including the shoe cleaning box. Good set of brushes, the tins of polish had to go though as beyond redemption. Having said that, I do give my black boots a polish periodically, squeazy polish but real brushes. Others are trainer types and get a scrub in the sink as needed. My late Father was very fussy about his shoes, always polished, and the first thing he did when meeting someone for the first time was look at their shoes. He always said you could judge a person (man) by the care they took with their shoes, and their hands, he had a hatred of raggy, dirty nails too.
I haven’t used traditional shoe polish for years. I have on those scuff coat liquid ones with the little sponge on the end.
Many years ago I opened a seldom used tin of black polish and in addition to polishing the shoes it resulted in the kitchen walls and ceiling requiring a coat of paint.
The tin of polish was half empty and the contents were broken into pieces. I had this smart idea that if I melted the bits of polish it would all cool and set into one smooth area again.
I was wrong. I placed the tin on the gas cooker and it gently began to melt. Unfortunately I didn’t quit while I was ahead. Seconds later it blew off the cooker and splattered black polish all over the ceiling and walls 🙈
Not many shoes are leather these days & the ones that are don't seem to suffer if they're not cleaned regularly.
In this house shoe cleaning's gone the way of winding clocks. Washing daps & trainers in summer is the chore now. We still have tins of polish & about 10 brushes though.
Now you’ve sent me on a trip down memory lane.
I did use to enjoy polishing up my school shoes usually brown or black lace-ups or t-bar with Cherry blossom or Kiwi (loved the smell)🙂↔️ there was a navy or red tube with sponge for summer school sandals too.
No trainers then but the white pumps/plimsoles were done
with that slightly chalky stuff in a tube with a sponge tip.
When I had patent leather shoes for parties 🥳 and best there was a cream cleaner an a soft cloth.
Since trainers became de rigueur they’re lucky if they get an old wet cloth slathered all over and the boots are left to rot from one year to the next now.
Love Crocs and sliders too.
I gave my boots a squirt of Mr Sheen yesterday and rubbed them with a duster, does that count?
My dad cleaned all the shoes in our house when I was growing up and my first few boyfriends cleaned their own. I thought it was a man's job till I married and learnt it was definitely not. I tried to institute regular cleaning sessions but it didn't work, so in our house mine are cleaned periodically (I have a lot of shoes) and DH's almost never. He is happy to wear old, worn-out, grubby shoes for most outings unless I complain and then it's down to me to find a better pair and clean them myself.
No wonder he has terrible feet and now issues with walking.
I wear trainers and the gin the washing machine
I usually give my grubby leather boots a quick wipe with the floor cloth but occasionally give them a proper polish. It makes me think of my Dad, who cleaned my school shoes every day.
We have a shoe cleaning box filled with all sorts of brushes and tins of polish but we don’t use them much now.
We used to buy our gc shoes from specialist shops because of the width of their feet, very expensive but they never were cleaned and always looked scuffed and dirty.
I asked about cleaning shoes and was looked at in astonishment.😠 .
Cleaned mine half an hour ago. We’re off to a very fancy restaurant for lunch, so thought I’d better. It’s not a usual occurrence!
BlueBelle
I wear trainers and the gin the washing machine
tonic and lemon as well??
Pascal ‘go in’ the washing machine
Gin would go down the throat 🤣🤣🤣
NY resolution …Must proof read, even one liners
I’ve still got a full kit in a draw-string bag. Several small brushes to get polish in every nook and cranny and bigger ones to polish.
I like Renapur to feed the leather, so I think I’ll treat my Barbour boots after lunch.
I do brush my Ugg boots wit a suede brush occasionally all my Skechers can go in the washing machine I wear my leather boots very often can’t remember the last time they needed cleaning. I brush and wipe my walking shoes if they get mucky. Never need Polish.
I don’t wear my leather boots often.
when i was off over christmas
I polished my black leather boots on Friday. I didn't notice the polish was leaking. I had to scrub the floor! 🤬
The truth is I really can't remember! My dad (ex-Army) was a stickler for shoe-cleaning. He spit-&-polished his shoes every Saturday morning and expected me to do the same with mine (I admit I was a bit hit-or-miss). Nowadays, I give my shoes a quick sponge-over if I'm going somewhere special but, otherwise, they sit by the front door in their un-buffed glory, ready for when I'm "popping out for a minute". Bad girl, naughty girl, go to your room at once! ;>
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