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HOW TO POLISH YOUR DR. MARTENS FOOTWEAR

THE BOOT DOCTOR SAYS: SHOE POLISH RESTORES, NOURISHES AND PROTECTS FOR LONG-LASTING LEATHER

Even tough shoes need a little looking after. Dr. Martens Shoe Polish is designed to restore, protect and add shine to tough smooth leathers — bringing well-worn boots back to their best. In three colours, Black, Cherry Red and Neutral, DM’s shoe polish helps cover up scuffs and marks, and shield the leather from additional wear.

Here’s how to polish your boots — in five easy steps — with a few tips from the Dr. Martens Boot Doctor. Check out our full video at the bottom of the page.

BOOT DOCTOR TIP: DM’s SHOE POLISH CAN BE USED ON MOST SMOOTH LEATHERS. TEST ON A SMALL CORNER OF THE LEATHER IF YOU’RE UNSURE.

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STEP 1: GROUNDWORK

Before you get started, it’s worth putting a bit of newspaper down to avoid any unwanted black marks. Then: assemble your kit. Polishing your boots doesn’t take much. All you need is a couple of cloths, some water, a shoe brush and a tub of Shoe Polish. It shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes.
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STEP 2: REMOVE DIRT

Your boots will probably need a bit of clean before you can get polishing. Give them a good wipe with a damp cloth. Remove your shoelaces and clean them separately, then dry your boots with a different cloth.
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BOOT DOCTOR TIP: BANG YOUR BOOTS TOGETHER A COUPLE OF TIMES TO REMOVE ANY EXCESS MUD.

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STEP 3: GET STUCK IN

Scoop some polish out with a dry cloth, and apply a thin layer all over the boot, including the tongue. Pay attention to any scuffs, scratches or marks, and ensure you get a good, even coating. Wipe off any excess with a cloth.
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BOOT DOCTOR TIP: YOU CAN APPLY MULTIPLE COATINGS IF YOUR BOOTS HAVE REALLY BEEN THROUGH IT. BUT LET THE FIRST ONE DRY FIRST.

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STEP 4: BUFF TO SHINE

If you want your boots to have a sharp shine, grab your brush and get buffing. If not, you can skip this stage. Then leave the boots to dry for a few minutes, and re-lace them. Why not try a new pair of laces to really bring them back to life?
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STEP 5: FINISHING TOUCHES

You're almost there. All that’s left are a few optional last touches. You can give your newly-polished boots a quick spray with Dr. Martens Ultra Protector for an added layer of protection. Or a squirt of Dr. Martens Shoe Freshener to remove any odours. And there you have it: your boots should be looking back to their best. Now to scuff them up again.
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BOOT DOCTOR TIP: GRAB THE POLISH WHENEVER YOUR BOOTS ARE LOOKING A BIT ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES. THE MORE OFTEN, THE BETTER.

DR. MARTENS SHOE POLISH

New look, same product. Coming with a sponge nozzle for simple application, our new Shoe Polish Tubes are built to restore, protect and rejuvenate in three colours: Black, Cherry Red and Neutral.

WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CARE, THEY’LL LAST EVEN LONGER