Cleaning umpire shoes
 

Between shoe shines, what else do you use to clean your shoes? Just a spray bottle of water or do you add something else?

I have always used the Penguin sneaker cleaner - or the equivalent - wipe off the excess dirt, spray it on, let it sit a moment, scrub it with a dollar store hard bristle brush, then wipe it off with a towel. Comes out looking good as new.

I use a full quart spray bottle. I fill it 1/4 with Mr. Clean and then top it off with water. A little scrub and rinse with clean water or just wipe it off. It's all good. I have seen guys use everything from plain water to Scrubbing Bubbles, especially if they have white on their shoes. You experiment and use what works best for you with minimum effort.

I use the scrubbing bubbles cleaner.

The fizzing action of the stuff seems to get into all of the little seams and cracks where the dirt settles and lifts it out.

everybody has their preferences, but I always wonder about the relative abrasiveness of Scrubbing Bubbles, as opposed to something that is made for footwear.

The big Fuzzy thing in the car care section of any box store works great. Wipe the dust off, then wet with water and wipe again. No chemicals and if you use paste wax on leather shoes they look fantastic!

Only have to polish your shoes about 3 times a season Feb-Aug.

I also use a microfiber car-wash mitt. But I don't ever intentionally apply water to leather shoes; a good coat of paste wax then tarrago over the top, and you only have to wipe off the dirt between polishings.

I renew the paste wax once in the spring and once in the fall; the tarrago coats about once a month.

Tarrago is a brand name. I assume you are referencing a specific maintenence product?

A27 - TARRAGO SELF-SHINE SHOE CREAM

Our Price: $7.50
Soft wax-based shoe cream that nourishes, gives shine without brushing, and keeps the color of the leather footwear. Easy application with included sponge.
Available in BLACK or NEUTRAL (clear).

I am glad that you could think of the word 'microfiber', I knew big fuzzy thing was not the right word, but was the only description I could think of.

I agree that water and leather do not normally mix well, but the wax, when applied properly, seems to protect my shoes as well as it did my boots, back when the military actually polished their boots. :)

My shoe care regimen has evolved to this over the years:

• A dry terry cloth towel to get most of the dust
• A dry microfiber cloth to get into the seams and laces
• Murphy's Oil Soap or saddle soap + water in a spray bottle for general cleaning
• Scrub with a soft toothbrush when I want them clean down to bare leather
• Kiwi black polish and a horsehair brush
• Liquid polish for sole edge touchups
• Silicone impregnated shine sponge for a quick buff

Clean before or after each game; polish as needed.