How To Clean A Shoe Polish Brush?
Clean and shiny leather shoes can make a lasting impression! When you meet people, your shoes are the first thing they notice. That makes it super important to keep your leather shoes shining with quality shoe polish brushes.
However, it is equally important to cleanse shoe shine brushes eventually. In fact, people with sheer quality and leather expertise stress a lot about cleaning a shoe shine brush regularly. This will give your shoe a renewed look and the bristles of your shoe shine brush strong and neat. However, what is the process of cleaning shoe shine brushes?
In this guide, we will cover it and provide you with quick guidance on the process. Beginning right away!
How To Clean A Shoe Polish Brush?
It’s a simple process to clean shoe shine brushes, and it shouldn’t take you more than 5-10 minutes.
Keeping your shoe shine brushes clean helps them last longer and function better, which is especially beneficial when you’ve spent a lot of money on a new shoe polish brush.
Below, we will walk you through the ways and steps involved in the process. You can apply these methods to any kind of shoe polish brush. Be it a horsehair brush or a shoe polish brush, you are good to go!
Step 1 – Start The Process When The Residual Polish Has Completely Dried
If you try to clean your brush while it’s still wet, the polish will simply smear and spread. Wait till it’s completely dry before flaking off since it’ll be easier to remove that way.
Cleaning dauber brushes is especially crucial in this step because they’re used for applying shoe polish. They accumulate a lot more gunk due to their actual application of shoe polish.
Step 2 – Begin To Buff The Shoe Polish Brushes’ Bristles On A Cloth To Clean Residual Polish
Using a light-colored chamois cloth to help you see the polish transfer from brush to cloth is a good idea. Simply move the brush back and forth over the cloth a few times until you notice the residual polish coming off.
A chamois is a woven cotton cloth that’s often used to polish and shine leather shoes. Before replacing it, clean your shoe shine brushes with a chamois, then wait for them to be completely coated in polish before switching them out for a new one.
If you don’t have access to a chamois, use a plain rag, cotton shining cloth, or towel instead to get rid of the residual polish. There’s no need to spend any money!
However, make sure to get delicate leather’s garments for cleaning with a shoe polish brush.
Step 3 – Start Buffing The Bristles In The Opposite Direction
Turn the brush over and continue rubbing it on the chamois. All of the residual polish that has built up and dried is removed in this manner.
Keep in mind that a clean brush may not appear “clean.” The dark polish was dyed into their bristles, so brushes used with such paint will be permanently stained.
Step 4 – Get A Wax Softening Spray
Purchase a wax softener specifically designed for shoe polishing. To shine your shoes, dampen the brush with the softener and then buff it back and fro on the chamois cloth.
Repeat as needed until the built-up polish begins to loosen, then allow any remaining softener to dry fully before using the brush to polish your footwear again.
To make sure you’re using the wax softener safely, follow the instructions on it. If you polish your shoes as soon as possible after washing your brush, the wax softener might ruin the polish on your shoes.
This approach may be especially useful if you’ve been using your horsehair brush for a long time but haven’t cleaned it in a while.
Step 5 – Alternative For Wax Softening Spray: Use A Dishwash Liquid Soap To Clean The Residual Polish
Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of dish soap to the bristles. Under hot water, clean the brush by rubbing it back and forth on a chamois to help the polish soften and release from the bristles.
It’s not a good idea to clean your horsehair brushes with soap and water too frequently, as the bristles’ natural texture may be damaged and you end up with loose horse hair.
If you choose this technique, use it carefully. Allow the brush to dry on its side on a towel before using it again or putting it away.
Step 6 – Add Cleaning Shoe Shine Brushes Eventually In Your Shoe Care Routine
It’s a very short procedure, so don’t be afraid of making a significant time investment! Keeping your brush clean prevents build-up and residual polish on it.
That means you’ll be able to easily shine your shoes at any time with a clean shoe shine brush.
Keep your shoe polish brushes in a clean and airtight container. This keeps your shoe polish brush safe from dust, which may ruin the polish on your shoes.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning a shoe brush will help it attain the maximum lifespan. Moreover, it is an important part of the shoe care regime. Start doing it when you get a new shoe polish brush. You can also get a brush cleaning comb for this purpose.
If you want to read more guides on how to take care of shoes and shoe accessories, visit our shoe care page.
Patricia Merken
Interior design blogger
Neat freak and shoe lover. American expat in Switzerland.
Blogger and mom. Blogs at Footweardrobe.
FAQs – How To Clean A Shoe Polish Brush
No, rubbing alcohol does not help with cleaning horsehair or shoe shine brush and getting rid of the excess polish.
If the dauber is new, damp it and wring it out. If it’s not new, clean it with a damp cloth.
It’s best to clean your brushes once a few weeks, but it’s fine to do so less frequently. You may use a mild soap and water solution or a brush cleaner if your horse brushes are filthy.