Caring for your shoes is equally important to looking this good. A well kept pair of shoes can give you the confidence and make you stand out from the others. For most people, shoe polish is the go to product when they want to shine their shoes. But it’s not always easy to use or in easy reach. There are some tips and tricks to shine your shoes without using shoe polish in such cases, and you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

In this article, we bring you some of the best ways to keep your shoes without using shoe polish. These are really simple tips and will keep you and your shoes looking good while you’re going about your daily business. Thus, whether you are in a rush or short of shoe polish, these tips are going to come in handy and in helping you well to maintain your shoes looking the best.

Tip 1. Use Olive Oil

To achieve shiny shoes, washing off dust, or dirt using a clean cloth wetted with warm water. After this, use another clean cloth, mix some drops of olive oil to it. Rub the cloth gently against your shoes and leave for few minutes. After that, buff your shoes with a clean cloth to polish them to a shiny finish. A good natural substitute for shoe polish is olive oil, which can basically leave your shoes looking like new.

Tip 2. Rub Your Shoes with Alcohol

Before you get your shoes looking their best, prefer to clean away any dirt with a damp clean cloth dipped in warm water. Next, take a soft cotton ball and dip into alcohol. Then rub the cotton ball over your shoes until you make them shiny. Last, you should finish your shoes off with a clean cloth and buff them. This method works great to get rid of grime and stains and to bring your shoes back to brand new.

Tip 3. Use Banana Peel

Using a banana peel to shine your shoes may be an easier and more convenient option when you don't have shoe polish. Instead of throwing banana peel away once you’ve eaten the banana, you can use the peel as a shoe polish.

To use a banana peel to brighten up your shoes, you rub the inside of the peel over the entire surface of the shoes. Once the entire surface is covered, pull up any banana peel left over with a tissue paper. Buff your shoes to a shine and finally use a clean cloth to finish it off.

Not only does this work, but it’s also eco friendly because you’re recycling something that would have probably been thrown out. Try it, and see what difference it makes on your shoes!

Tip 4. Apply Petroleum Jelly

To ensure that your shoes will be super shiny for a long time, you’re going to take good home care of them, the first step being to clean away any loose dirt with a warm damp cloth. Then take the petroleum jelly and do the whole surface in a circular motion to cover the entire surface of the shoe. Buff the shoes dry and remove any extra jelly with a clean cloth. It’s great Petroleum jelly to protect and nourish leather shoes, preventing cracking and drying out.

Tip 5. Use a Good Quality Shoe Cleaner

Using a good quality shoe cleaner is a good way to keep your shoes shiny and clean if you are looking for an easy solution. Rather than endeavoring to concoct some homemade remedies, a dependable shoe cleaner should conveniently present you with a clean pair of shoes without having to push your luck. In our review of the Best 5 Shoe Cleaners in 2024, we can also give you the right one for your needs. You just apply the cleaner to your shoes, making them look fresh and polished.

Tip 6. Use a Mixture of Vinegar and Linseed Oil

To get a natural and practical way of shining out your shoes try a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts linseed oil. Put some of the mixture onto a cotton ball or cloth and apply across your shoes. After coating, buff with a clean cloth, for a brighter shine. Not only is this method eco friendly but it’s cheap and easy to do at home. Try giving it a go and see what it can do to your shoes.

Tip 7. Apply Tooth Paste

For a sleeker shine to your shoes, get an old toothbrush, and toothpaste those bad boys to make them shine. After application, buff the shoes with a clean cloth or shoe brush. This simple method will leave your shoes looking good.

Tip 8. Apply Hair Gel

There is more to hair gel than just styling your hair. It can also be used to shine your shoes perfectly. To do this, just apply all over your shoes some hair gel. So do that and then with a clean cloth remove the excess of hair gel, and buff your shoes with it to get that nice shine on your shoes. It’s a quick and easy way to make shoes look newly polished without having to spend a lot on shoe polish.

Tip 9. Use Bees Wax

Bees wax is a great ingredient that can make your shoes shine like never before. Put some bees wax directly onto your shoes by heating it until it melts down into a liquid. Next, apply molten bees wax to the shoes in a clean cloth and buff your shoes as needed. Within a few hours you will find yourself amazed at how your shoes appear shinier than they ever have. It is not only good for shoe polishes, but can also be used to protect and condition leather.

Tip 10. Apply Lip Balm

Did you know that you can also use lip balm to help make your shoes shiny? Apply small amount of lip balm in the same way on your shoes using your cloth, no need to spend more time. Then buff your shoes with another soft and clean cloth to bring out their shine to the fullest. This is a quick hack that allows you to freshen up your shoes. Check it out and experience the difference.

Tip 11. Use Coconut Oil

For that shinier look, you can use coconut oil on your shoes. In order to achieve this, take a soft cotton ball and put it into some coconut oil. Use the soaked cotton ball to apply the oil all over your shoes. Afterward use a clean cloth to buff your shoes and finish off the shining process. Shining your shoes with no harmful chemicals if you happen to use coconut oil, it’s a fantastic natural and effectively way to add shine to your shoes.

Tip 12. Use Hibiscus Flower

Use of hibiscus flower will give you everlasting shine to your shoes. Apply the flower onto your shoes and then wipe off excess with a clean cloth. Buff the shoes by using a soft cloth or shoe brush finish. This is a natural and effective way to ensure your shoes remain looking great.

Tip 13. Use Soap Solution

To clean your shoes totally, in gentle water mix slightly liquid soap or liquid detergent. All over your shoes apply the solution dip a sponge or cotton ball in it. To make buffing rounds just right, get a clean cloth and buff your shoes. It is a gentle method to clean your shoes, dirt and stain removal.

Conclusion

By following the tips mentioned above, you can easily shine your shoes using ingredients that are readily available at home. It is important to test the remedy on a small portion of your shoe before applying it to the entire shoe to ensure that it does not cause any damage. With these remedies, you no longer have to depend on shoe polish to keep your shoes looking shiny and new. Try out different remedies to find the one that works best for you and your shoes.