Polishing Your Shoes and Shoe Polish Warnings & Alternatives

Dangers, Alternatives & Types of Shoe Polish

As I was looking for certain shoe polish products, I was surprised to find warnings that shoe polish contained toxic chemicals and could actually be considered very dangerous. While I know most of us have had shoe polish around the house for years, probably without any problems, the warnings I found were of enough concern to me that I wanted to share the information with all of you. Below is more information about the toxicity of certain shoe polishes, as well as alternative and traditional polishing instructions.
Toxicity of Shoe PolishCertain shoe polishes contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin and or inhaled (read more at the epa web site). It is essential that if you use shoe polish, you wear gloves when doing so, do not drink alcohol while polishing shoes (it can increase the effects of certain chemicals), and keep all shoe polish out of reach of children and animal companions. If used, shoe polish should be used in a well-ventilated area, and all of the product shoud be used, with any residual being discarded or given to someone who will use it. When disposed, shoe polish needs to be handled as a hazardous househould substance.

Rags or clothes used that come in contact with the shoe polish should also be immediately discarded. While some shoe polished claim to be non-toxic, most do not list their ingredients, so it is impossible to know that they are truly free of dangerous chemicals. While it is better to avoid shoe polish if possible, if this is not practical for you, and you do feel the need to buy commercial shoe polish - please use the necessary precautions.