How to Make Shoe Polish

Co-authored by Trent Potter

Last Updated: November 20, 2022

Ever needed to polish your shoes but did not have any shoe polish on hand? Don't fret! You can make your own shoe polish at home! Best of all, you have complete control of the ingredients and will exactly what's in your little jar of shoe polish. If you don't any of the ingredients on hand, you can look around your home for simple items to polish your shoes with, such as olive oil or a banana peel.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Shoe Polish from Scratch

1
Set up a double boiler. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water. Place a heat-safe bowl on top. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat.^{[1]
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2
Add the olive oil and white beeswax into the bowl. You will need about 2.8 ounces (79.38 grams) of olive oil and 1.1 ounce (31.18 grams) of white beeswax.^{[2]
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- For extra shine, try using half beeswax and half carnauba wax.^{[3]
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- Jojoba, almond, or avocado oil also work as alternatives.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Trent Potter
  Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2021.}
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3
Stir the olive oil into the beeswax as it melts. As the beeswax heats up, it will start to melt. Once it melts completely, give it a stir so that it blends in with the olive oil.^{[5]
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- Beeswax absorbs into the leather pores and protects it from water damage.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Trent Potter
  Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2021.}
4
Consider adding some black or brown oxide for color. Use a coffee grinder or food processor to grind 1½ teaspoons of black or brown oxide. Stir the powdered oxide into the melted mixture. Keep stirring until the oxide has blended completely into the mixture, and no streaks, swirls, or specks remain.^{[7]
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- Remember to clean your coffee grinder or food processor well after this, or you risk contaminating your food.
- If you don't have a coffee grinder, you can try using a pestle and mortar. Remember to clean it well!
- You should only do this is you want to brighten the color of black or brown shoes. Do not add oxide if your shoes are a different color or they will stain.
5
Pour the mixture into a small container. Make sure that the container is large enough to hold all of your shoe polish. Tiny glass jars and candle tins work best. You can also pour it into several smaller containers as well.
6
Let the mixture harden. This will take about 45 to 60 minutes. Once it hardens, it is ready to use!^{[8]
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Research source} If you are in a hurry, let it cool down to room temperature first, then stick it in the fridge or freezer for a couple of minutes, or until it turns solid.
7
Use the shoe polish. Wipe your shoes down with a damp cloth first to remove any dirt. Apply the shoe polish with a clean, dry cloth and buff it in well.^{[9]
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Research source} Wipe off any extra polish with a clean cloth. For extra shine, buff the shoes afterwards with a buffing brush.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using What You Have

1
Find natural polishes around your home. No shoe polish? No problem! There are lots of items that can work as shoe polish in a pinch. Take a look at this section, and see if you have the item on hand. You don't have to use all of the items in this section to polish your shoes.
2
Rub on some natural oil. Olive oil or walnut oil will would work the best, but you can experiment with other types of oils as well. Best of all, oil gives your shoes some natural water protection as well! Start by rubbing the oil onto your shoes with a soft cloth. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to overnight. Wipe any excess oil off with a clean cloth afterwards.^{[11]
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- Avoid using synthetic products since they won't work as well on your shoes.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Trent Potter
  Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2021.}
3
Try a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice for extra shine. Mix together two olive oil and one part lemon juice. Rub the mixture onto your shoes with a soft cloth. Let it sit for a few minutes, then buff your shoes with a clean cloth.^{[13]
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- You can use bottled or freshly squeezed lemon juice. Avoid lemonade as it has other ingredients in it.
4
Buff with petroleum jelly. Simply scoop some up and rub it onto your shoes with a soft cloth. Wipe off any excess petroleum jelly when you are done.^{[14]
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5
Use a banana peel. This surprising item not only gives your shoe extra shine, but you get a tasty snack (or smoothie) out of it. Peel a banana, eat it, then rub your shoes with the inner (white) part of the peel. Wipe your shoes clean afterwards with a soft cloth.^{[15]
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- Don't feel like eating the banana? Cut it into smaller pieces and pop it into a freezer. Use it the next day in a smoothie. You can also bake it into banana bread.

Community Q&A

Question

Could I use powdered paint for the color?

Community Answer

Yes. Don't be afraid to mix it up. If it looks like it's staining, give it a chance and let it set. Then it will be perfect.
Question

Why is beeswax in shoe polish?

Community Answer

Beeswax is placed into shoe polish because it prevents the polish from staining. Additionally, it makes the glossy shine that appears on your shoes after polishing.
Question

What other additives can I use to add a shiny look to my shoe polish?

Community Answer

Surprisingly, hand sanitizer works really good. Pump about 3 pumps on a paper towel, then lather.