• Cup of Water
• Toothbrush
• Saddle Soap
• Non-Detergent Leather Conditioner such as Lexol
• Wax or Crème shoe polish that matches boot leather and the sole leather (unless sole is rubber)
• Shoe Shine Brush
• Q-Tips
• Old T-Shirt or Towel
• Armor All, Windex or Furniture Polish such as Pledge (for patent leather boots)

Leather Boots

Clean dust and dirt from the surface of your shoes or boots with a wet toothbrush or damp t-shirt or towel. Rub toothbrush on saddle soap and clean boot and be sure to clean soles and between the seams where the foot of the boot meets the sole.  Wipe dry with a dry towel.

Select a can of wax or crème shoe polish that matches the leather you want to polish.

Use a old t-shirt or towel to apply a conservative amount of polish to the surface of the leather. Apply in circular motions until the leather has a dull coating.  Use q tips to apply polish to seams where the foot of the boot meets the sole and the edges and tight spots.

Wait 15 minutes while the polish dries.

Brush shoes or boots with a shoeshine brush.

Buff to a gleaming shine with a clean cotton cloth, such as an old sweat sock or T-shirt.

Patent Leather Boots

Just use water to clean boots but clean same as above.  Make sure to clean the soles and between the seams where the foot of the boot meets the sole.  Wipe dry with a dry towel.

Polish and shine the edges and between the seams where the foot of the boot meets the sole same as above.

Spray a small amount of Armor All, Windex or Furniture Polish (for patent leather boots) to patent part of boot and buff with a dry towel.

Leather Gloves

Clean dirt from the surface with a damp cloth.

Take the damp cloth and apply a small amount of saddle soap.  Apply to glove in a circular motion cleaning glove.

Use a dry cloth and wipe off glove.

Apply a conservative amount of leather conditioner.  Allow to sit for a few minutes then wipe dry.

If gloves look a little dull apply a conservative amount of polish to the surface of the leather. Apply in circular motions until the leather has a dull coating. Wait 15 minutes while the polish dries. Buff with a shoeshine brush.

• If you're in doubt about how to do the best job for your shoes, talk to a shoemaker, who will usually explain the process for no charge.
• Don't polish suede, rough out or patent leather.
• "Instant" or "EZ" shoe polishes generally do not last and can harm shoe leather.
• Don't try to use black polish to change the color of brown leather. If you want to do this, hire a professional shoemaker to dye the shoes.