Are you excited to wear your winter boots again but embarrassed by their dull, scuffed appearance? And gentlemen, do you love a certain pair of dress shoes, but know they need a good buffing? Stress no longer because do-it-yourselfers are using common household items to give dull leather new life. Check out these unusual remedies.

  • Vegetable and olive oil. Use a clean, damp rag to clean off any dust from the shoe and then buff with a small drop of oil to bring out the shine.
  • Banana peel. Yep, you get your daily potassium and sparkly shoes . Just rub the inside of the peel over the shoe and then wipe clean.
  • Vinegar. Perfect for cleaning scuffs off leather tennis shoes, just use a rag and some elbow grease.
  • Petroleum jelly. After you feel your shoes are good and clean, rub a bit of petroleum over the tops with a rag to prevent cracking in the leather.

If you want to go the traditional route and use a shoe shine kit, check out this great step-by-steptutorial.