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Wear and tear on shoes is inevitable; after all, you're outside and walking on hard pavement all the time. This can become extra painful if accidents happen on your favorite pair of boots or extra expensive leather or suede shoes you expect to last you forever. But, with the help of the right shoe brush, you can remove those stains and restore your shoes back to life.
We've picked out some of the best shoe brushes, like Kiwi's Shine Brush, which is made of 100 percent horsehair and is gentle enough on even the most delicate leather shoes. You have nine other options to consider for different shoe materials, as well as a buying guide to introduce you to the right brush to polish and shine your shoes.
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Table of Contents
If you want to keep your shoes pristine, you will need the right brush for cleaning and conditioning. The buying guide below will explain which shoe brush works best with a particular shoe material and help you look for a good shoe brush.
The bristle material is key to cleaning your shoes without damaging the surface material. There are particular bristle types that achieve desired results without risking your leather shoes getting scratched or suede boots becoming dull.
The most common brush material is horsehair, as it is especially effective on leather shoes. The bristles are exceptionally soft and will not scratch or damage even the most sensitive leathers. They are also flexible, meaning you can pick up dirt that gets stuck on the grooves of your shoes.
An alternative to horsehair is goat hair brushes, which also provide a gentle polish on delicate leathers. Some manufacturers offer a combination of these two for that cleaning and polishing effect.
Avoid synthetic bristles such as plastic or metal on especially delicate and expensive leather, as these are more challenging to handle and could damage your shoes.
You will need a different approach for suede or nubuck shoes as they have a different texture than leather. Therefore, you should go for rubber, brass, or coconut coir bristle brushes when cleaning suede or nubuck.
Rubber crepe brushes are soft and sticky, making them perfect for attracting dirt on the shoe, removing light stains, and pulling on the nap, the fine bristles on suede and nubuck, to bring back the original shine.
Brass wire brushes are for removing tough stains that have settled on your shoes. Lastly, coco coir brushes are great for boots. The bristles can scrape off caked-on mud and dirt and pull on stubborn stains to restore your shoes' color and shine.
You can even find triangular brushes with multiple bristle types on each side to allow you to thoroughly clean and maintain your shoes without having to buy many brushes.
The bristle hardness also plays a part in the type of finish you are looking for, whether you're buffing, shining, or cleaning.
Soft bristles are great for shining and buffing, while medium-hard bristles can thoroughly clean the shoe. Lastly, rigid or stiff bristles can remove tough ingrained marks on your shoe as well as get in the midsole area for cleaning.
You can purchase multiple brushes to achieve the clean-to-shine process, or consider a brush with dual bristle types on each side.
We recommend separating dark from light when it comes to the brush used for the wax and cream. It's best to have a designated brush for each shoe color to avoid accidentally staining your tan shoe, for example, with dark wax or polish.
Furthermore, experts recommend separating cleaning brushes from those used for polishing, as dust or dirt particles can remain on the bristles and get stuck on the cream or wax during application.
Most shoe brush handles are rectangular-shaped and are about the same size as the bristle area. Daubers often have a longer handle for grabbing, so you have better control for buffing. A great choice is a handle made of polished wood that offers a comfortable grip with no rough edges.
We also recommend double-checking with reviews to confirm that the bristles are packed securely into the handle and don't come loose or fall off while brushing. Some brushes, including premium ones, still shed during initial use to get rid of the weakest hairs. However, you can expect this to lessen with continued use.
A dauber is an accessory that complements a regular brush. It is traditionally used for polishing. Thanks to its rounded shape, you can buff and polish in circular strokes. Utilizing a dauber also makes it easier to grab some wax and cream for cleaning.
Another commonly used accessory for polishing and waxing is cotton flannel cloths that can buff and shine shoes. They're more prone to streaking, and you can end up with wax or cream on your fingers during application.
Shoe cloths, however, are great for final touch-ups after the polish has set. You can rub the shoe and bring out the shine from leather for a glossy finish.
To maintain the quality of your delicate leather shoes, you can use this brush made with 100 percent horsehair to polish the surface gently. You can apply a corresponding shoe polish from the same brand or your favorite, and the ultra-soft bristles will shine and buff the surface of your shoes, prolonging their life.
A few reviewers complained that the horsehair had a tendency to fall out, while some said that the brush was smaller than a full-size one. Still, they said it was a great size for travel. In addition, many reviewers liked how the soft bristles made easy work of buffing shoe surfaces.
Daubers are great for buffing and bringing out that shine on leather shoes. Furthermore, their rounded bristles mean you can grab wax or cream conveniently from the can. The handle is made of polished wood for a reliable grip, while the dark and light bristles feature 100 percent horsehair for soft yet effective shoe shining.
According to some reviewers, the horsehair shed easily and sometimes left strands on the shoes. However, on a positive note, many shared that the product worked well in leather conditioning and protecting. They also said the handle was the right size for buffing and made the task so much easier.
This kit comes with a four-ounce cleaning solution designed to lighten and condition sneakers. The synthetic bristles of the brush can get in between crevices to pull out dirt buildup. You can also purchase the brand's premium brush for more delicate shoe materials like leather.
A few reviewers warned against using the solution on white sneakers as it can leave yellowing. It's recommended to do a test on a small spot first.
Some also found the brush bristles too stiff to handle delicate materials. Meanwhile, many other reviewers used the standard brush on their suede or mesh shoes and loved how a little solution could clean the surface thoroughly without leaving scratch marks.
This scrubber makes easy work of cleaning boots and rugged shoes. The hard, nylon bristles can remove caked-on mud and dirt from your work boots, rubber shoes, and other rugged shoes. You can mount it to a surface to make it easy to wipe off your muddy footwear before entering the house.
According to a few users, the brush might be too small for large, heavy-duty work boots. They wished it was adjustable to accommodate larger shoes. On the other hand, many reviewers loved how sturdy the brush was, saying it can tackle stubborn dirt easily without wobbling.
Crepe brushes are recommended for sensitive suede and nubuck shoes. The rubber bristles are sticky and efficiently attract dirt off surfaces with minimal scratching. The design can also fluff the nap, or the tip of the shoe's fibers, getting you that like-new finish.
The brush can clean and dislodge dirt when you sweep over the surface in both directions. Afterward, you can apply light pressure and rub the surface for buffing. Although a few wish it were bigger, users confirmed that the brush cleans delicate suede effectively.
These shoe brushes are designed with the user in mind. The handles are just the right size for convenient wiping and buffing. The dauber's bristles aren't too wide, so they can fit into shoe polish cans easily. Whether it's leather shoes, upholstery or bags that need cleaning, this set can get the job done.
The main complaint a few reviewers had with the brush is the bristles falling out. The rest had no problems using the brushes, noting they clean very well and can bring out a polished shine on the surface. The brushes are easy to use and sized perfectly, said others.
All four sides of this shoe brush have a purpose, making it indispensable in cleaning. You have a surface for removal of scuff marks, a side with soft bristles for gentler cleaning, an arched side for rounded corners, and an angled brush for grooves and crevices. This brush can be used on suede and nubuck shoes, or even clothing and furniture.
A few reviewers noted that the rubber material absorbs color, leading to discoloration when used on some pairs of shoes. Some also complained about the small size.
Meanwhile, many said this was the brush to get for cleaning and touching up suede shoes. They confirmed that each side performed as advertised, allowing them to clean their shoes fully.
You don't need a cleaning solution to get your suede or nubuck shoes to look new again. Whether it's dirt or stains, this rubber eraser can pull them out. The gray side is for nubuck and the white for suede. When done, you can use the brush to fluff up the nap.
According to a few reviewers, the rubber eraser did not work in fully cleaning spots on their shoes. They also found the brush to be too rough on the surface.
On a positive note, many confirmed the brushes worked wonders on their Uggs, Timberlands, and Birkenstocks that have seen better days. They loved how the tools revived their boots and shoes.
This shoe brush is designed for leather shoes and features soft horsehair to clean the surface as gently as possible. The handle is made of curved wood with grooves at the edges for a good grip. The eight-inch surface also means covering more ground with each swipe, making this brush worthwhile on bigger shoes.
Reviewers confirmed that the brush was indeed comfortable to hold. In addition, they liked how effective it was in bringing out the shine on their shoes. Users added that a few bristles might fall off during the initial use, which is normal for these brush types but should decrease with repeated use.
With this one brush, you can clean most shoe types, from leather to mesh. One side has 100 percent boar hair bristles to softly clean delicate surfaces, while the other has thicker nylon bristles to scrub away hardened dirt and stains.
A few reviewers complained that the bristles began falling out during the first use. Some also thought it was smaller than expected. Still, it helped many bring their shoes back to pristine condition. Reviewers shared using it on various shoe materials and they achieved great results.
Are you looking for other essential products to extend the life of your favorite shoes? We've got a few more suggestions worth trying.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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