Use a special leather cleaner only if strictly necessary. Otherwise, proceed to the next step. To polish and moisturize your shoes and keep them flexible, use a neutral paste, wax, or cream polish. Avoid liquid polishes—although they polish shoes quickly, they can dry out and crack the leather. You can apply the cream with a soft, clean cloth. Let the shoes dry (about 10 minutes), then polish them with a special brush and use a soft, clean cloth to achieve a high shine.