1. Use a solid shoe polish — not liquid polish — or a shoe cream, in a colour that best matches the shoes.  A neutral polish or cream can be used on new shoes or if you cannot find a colour match.  If the leather is badly scuffed use a renovating polish to restore colour (again, not liquid polish, which will build up on the leather over time).
    

2. Remove any laces.
    

3. Remove any surface dirt, as shoes must be clean before applying polish.  If necessary use a damp cloth.  If there is a build-up on the leather of previous products (such as liquid polish, which leather does not absorb), this should be removed using a leather cleaner or leather soap before applying polish.
    

4. Shoes should be dry before applying polish.
    

5. Apply polish to leather in circular movements with a shoe brush or cloth, covering the whole of the shoe.  Work polish into the welt (the stitched area around the upper of the shoe) and into any creases.  Don’t forget the tongue, and heel if it is covered in leather.
    

6. Once polish has been applied, allow to dry for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
    

7. Buff shoes with a polishing shoe brush or a soft cloth.  Do not use the same brush or cloth that you used to apply the polish.
    

8. Applying a water protector after polishing, and as required, will provide extra weather protection.

There are various tips for achieving a mirror-finish military shine, including the spit-and-polish method (bulling), and using cotton wool or tights for buffing.  The above is the basic method for polishing everyday footwear.

Monthly polishing will preserve the leather and, along with proactive repairing, extend the life of your footwear.

1. Use a suede or nubuck brush for general cleaning.
    

2. Spots and stains can be removed with Kiwi Select Suede & Nubuck Cleaning Block, or the whole shoe dry cleaned with Kiwi Select Suede & Nubuck Dry Cleaner.
    

3. Wet shoes should be filled with newspaper to help maintain shape and allowed to dry naturally away from direct heat.
    

4. Apply a water protector regularly for weather protection.

Patent leather shoes can be cleaned with Kiwi Select delicate shoe cream.

Products that we sell for outdoor leather footwear include:

Nikwax Aqueous Wax, Nikwax Leather Conditioner, Nikwax Waterproofing Wax, Grison Dubbin, Kelly's Dubbin, and Fiebing's Pure Neatsfoot Oil.

Some swear by neatsfoot oil, but it's really down to personal preference.

1. The toe area of the sole on pointed shoes can wear thin before the rest of the sole needs repairing and in this case toe pieces can be fitted rather than resoling.
    

2. If the centre of the soles feel soft or spongy when pressed this indicates that the soles need replacing.
    

3. A “skin” sole can be fitted to new shoes to protect the original sole without affecting the balance of the shoe.  Skin soles will also provide grip if the original soles are slippery and can be inexpensively replaced when necessary.
    

4. Heel top pieces should be replaced after approx ¼” of wear, to avoid damage to the heel.

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Mills     Est. 1890
93-95 Stoke Road
 Gosport, Hampshire  PO12 1LR
(023) 9251 0780
or 0845 241 6293 (local call rate)
Mon - Sat : 9am - 5pm

• Rubber heel top pieces

• ¼ irons

• Stilettos
   

• Toe pieces
   

• Rubber skin soles

• Rubber half soles
   

• Leather half soles

• Leather long soles
   

• Vibram® long soles

• New zips

• New insoles

• New elastic

• New Velcro®

• New back linings