White leather shoes are a versatile choice for children’s footwear - fresh and stylish. But we understand that keeping them looking their best can be a challenge, especially when little feet are always on the move. Whether it’s scuffs from the playground or marks from muddy walks, white leather needs a little extra care to stay bright and beautiful. That’s where polish comes in.
Polish isn’t just about making shoes look shiny - it plays a vital role in protecting and preserving leather. A good polish nourishes the material, helping to renovate and condition the leather. It also restores colour, covers scuffs and creates a protective layer that repels dirt and moisture.
For white leather shoes, polish is especially useful in maintaining that crisp, clean look that keeps them looking smart and stylish. As well as this, polishing leather helps to extend the life of the footwear, meaning your children get to wear their favourite shoes for longer - allowing them to grow out of them rather than wearing them out. Particularly for older children whose feet don’t grow as quickly, this can mean getting more enjoyment out of the shoe before a new pair is needed.
If you’ve ever worried about looking after white leather shoes for fear of ruining that gleaming style, you’re in the right place. In reality, polishing white leather shoes is simple and can have big benefits. The key is to have the right method. Here are some easy-to-follow steps to get you started:
Start by removing the laces (if there are any) or closing the rip-tape or buckles, and placing the shoes on a clean or newspaper-covered, flat surface. This gives you full access to the leather and prevents polish from getting on the fastenings. It also helps to protect the surface you’re using, whether that’s a floor or table.
Before applying any polish, it’s important to clean white leather shoes. Sometimes a quick brush-off is enough, but if shoes are particularly dirty, use a damp cloth or a specialist cleaner. Removing any discolouration, debris or stains before you apply polish helps to ensure a smoother surface and a cleaner white hue.
White leather can vary slightly in shade, so it’s worth checking that your polish matches the shoe colour. Try applying a small amount in an inconspicuous area first so you can check the colour match. If you’re unsure or you just don’t want to risk it, use a neutral shoe polish - this means the polish is clear and can be applied to any colour of leather without affecting the shade.
Top tip! If the white leather of your child’s shoes is fading or yellowing, then using a white shoe polish can help to restore the original colour and keep the shoes looking smart.
Using a clean, soft cloth or dauber brush, apply a small amount of polish to the shoe in circular motions. Remember, when it comes to polish, less is more! Focus on scuffed or dull areas, but cover the entire surface for an even finish. Then, if you feel you need a little more to achieve full coverage, you can add a bit more polish - bearing in mind that it’s easier to add a little extra than to remove what’s already been applied.
Let the polish sit for a couple of minutes so it can absorb into the leather. This helps nourish the material and ensures a longer-lasting shine. Plus, it’s much easier to handle the shoe without getting polish on your hands once you’ve allowed it to dry.
Once dry, buff the shoes with a clean brush or cloth to bring out the shine. If the shoes still look a little dull or the scuffs are visible, you can repeat the process and apply another coat of polish.
To finish, apply a waterproof spray to each of your child’s shoes. Use short sprays at roughly 25cm away from the shoe for the best results - and remember to give it another couple of minutes for the spray to dry.
A quality waterproofing spray adds an extra layer of protection against water, mud and oil, helping to keep the shoes cleaner for longer and reduce the risk of deep-set stains. We recommend reapplying this spray every week or so to keep your child’s shoes protected, as well as giving them a spray after cleaning.
If your child’s shoes feature multiple colours – like our white and navy Meteor trainers - applying polish can be a bit more tricky. Applying different colours of polish to different areas of the shoe requires a steady hand, and it may take longer, as we recommend allowing one colour to dry before applying the next one.
Alternatively, if you’re not fussed about refreshing the colour of your little one’s shoes, then a neutral shoe polish can be the perfect answer. This allows you to save time and effort by polishing the whole shoe at once - and makes it far easier for you to fit shoe care into a busy schedule.
Here at Start-Rite, we’re passionate about helping you to choose shoes that last - and part of that is keeping up with essential maintenance to strengthen and support the integrity of your child’s shoes. No matter what they get up to, you can restore their shoes to looking almost new with our top shoe care tips.
