Ten Notable Alternatives To Shoe Polish

Did you know that there are striking alternatives to shoe polish? We introduce you to the 10 most striking options.

1. Using olive oil as a shoe polish

We are all familiar with the medicinal and culinary uses of olive oil. But thanks to its properties, it is also a great tool for cleaning leather shoes and other materials.

How can you use this medicine?

• Apply several drops of olive oil to the surface of the shoe. Then immediately polish the shoe with a cloth.
• The result is a clean, shiny shoe.

2. Banana peel

The inner white part of the banana peel has many properties. One is that it works great for removing stains and dirt from leather surfaces.

How can you use it?

• Take a fresh banana peel and rub it over your leather shoes.
• Leave it on for a few minutes and then buff the leather with a cloth.

3. Toothpaste

The soles of sneakers and actually all rubber soles usually turn yellow or brown over time. This is a result of daily contact with floors and dirty surfaces.

You can remove a large part of the dirt with soap and water. But sometimes we need to use some extra products to make the shoes look perfect again.

In just a few minutes and without too much effort, toothpaste will help you. You won’t be able to believe how white your shoes look again.

How can you use toothpaste as a shoe polish?

• Apply the toothpaste to the dirty shoe. Rub it in using a toothbrush.
• Leave it on for five minutes and then wash it off.

4. Breadcrumbs

Crumbs of white sandwich bread act like an eraser. You can use this product to clean shoes made of satin, canvas and suede.

How can you use this medicine?

• Make a ball of the white sandwich bread. Then rub it over the dirty surfaces of your shoes.
• If too many crumbs stick to the shoes, remove them with a brush.

5. Baking Soda

Thanks to its properties, baking soda acts as a natural cleaning agent and shoe polish. It helps to remove dirt and bacteria that cause unpleasant odors.

How do you use baking soda to polish your shoes?

• Dampen the baking soda with some water until it forms a thick paste.
• Rub it on cloth shoes with a brush and then leave it on for five minutes.
• Then wash it off and let the shoes dry in the sun.

6. A nail file

Do you have a pair of shoes that have become dull due to stains? Then a simple nail file can become your best friend and keep your shoes clean – and free of scratches.

How do you use the nail file?

• Scrape away the stain or buff the surface gently with this simple shoe polishing technique.

7. Vaseline

This may sound unbelievable. But petroleum jelly can help keep your best leather shoes shine and free from dust stains.

How do you use Vaseline?

• Rub a generous amount of petroleum jelly on the surface of the shoes. Use it in the same way as shoe polish and polish it on the shoe with a cloth.

8. Cornmeal

Using cornmeal on your shoes is a quick trick to prevent nasty stains from forming due to oily spills.

If oil gets on your shoes, grab some cornmeal right away. It works as a convenient remedy to clean the shoes.

How do you use it?

• Sprinkle the cornmeal on the stain. Then leave it on for thirty minutes so that it can absorb the oil.
• After thirty minutes, shake off the flour. Then brush off the rest so that your shoes look like new again.

9. Orange

With half an orange we can polish leather shoes and boots that have lost their shine due to daily dirt.

How do you use this medicine?

• Cut the orange in half. Rub the pulp over the shoes until the juice is released.
• Then let the shoes dry for a few hours. Then you polish the shoes with a cloth or with a shoe brush.

10. Potato

The moisture from potatoes is a great way to remove stains that have formed on leather footwear.

Apply it to the surface of the shoes. That way you give them back the shine as if they just came out of the store.

How do you use it?

• Cut a slice of the potato and apply it to the shoe.
• Then immediately polish the shoe with a soft cloth. Do not wait for the moisture to dry.

Ready to try these tricks at home? Now you know how to keep your shoes in perfect condition without spending one euro too much. So don’t hesitate and try them out.