At Charles Tyrwhitt, we understand that shoes are an investment. We believe that with a little elbow grease, you can keep your shoes looking fantastic for a long time.

Polishing your shoes on a regular basis maintains the colour of the leather and keeps the shoe supple.

For leather shoes

• Spread newspapers down on the floor to protect the area.
• Make sure your shoes are free of dust and dirt (using a small headed brush).
• Once your shoes are clean and dry, apply a sufficient amount of polish with your shoe polish brush, spread evenly over the shoe in circular motions starting at the toe. For hard to reach areas use a cotton-bud or toothbrush. Wait about 15 minutes for the polish to dry.
• Once the shoe is completely dry, use a shoeshine brush to wipe off the excess polish. (Get to tight spaces using a cotton-bud or toothbrush again if necessary).
• Last (but by no means least!), use a cloth to give the shoes a brisk wipe-down to bring up the shine.

For suede shoes

• To revive worn suede, hold the shoes over a boiled kettle and let the steam run over the suede.
• Using a suede brush, make quick, short strokes to raise the nap. Brush gently - don't be too harsh or this will remove the top layer of suede.

To keep your shoes in tip-top condition

• We recommend using shoe trees to preserve shape and neutralise odours.
• Don't wear the same pair of shoes everyday, as the leather needs time to dry out (not just from the rain, but more generally from moisture caused by warm feet!).
• Always use a shoehorn to minimise damage to the backs of the shoes.