A shoe shine cloth is an extremely soft cloth which is used at the end of the shoe shining process to buff the shoe to a high shine. Professional polishers sometimes prefer to use a shoe buffer, an electric machine with a soft head which rubs the shoe in the same way a shoe shine cloth would. However, people who do not feel like spending a lot of money on a shoe buffer, a shoe shine cloth can be a good happy medium, providing the desired gleaming finish without the expense. If you've ever had your shoes shined on the street, it's highly probable that a shoe shine cloth was involved.

When a shoe shine cloth is used, it buffs out the last bits of shoe polish and smooths the shoe, creating a glossy finish. Without the use of a shoe shine cloth, freshly polished shoes can look a bit dull, and they can collect dust and dirt as some polish still remains on the surface of the shoe. In addition to being used to buff shoes, shoe shine cloths can of course be used on other leather products like saddles and belts.

Polishing shoes is important for the health of the shoe, not just the look of a well polished shoe. Leather benefits from being regularly cleaned, moisturized, and buffed. Shoes which are polished on a regular basis will stay supple longer, and the leather tends to last without cracking or splitting. You can also apply a waterproofing product when you polish your shoes, to keep your feet dry in inclement weather.

Typical shoe shine cloths are made from brushed cotton, because it is extremely soft, and they must be kept clean to be effective. It is also possible to find a shoe shine cloth made from chamois, a special kind of goat skin. Chamois has long been prized as a buffing agent for a wide variety of substances including leather, metals, and wood. You can also cheat and use an old t-shirt as a shoe shine cloth in a pinch.

If you have a chamois shoe shine cloth which needs to be cleaned, shake it out to remove dirt, soak it in warm water, and then pour a few drops of detergent into the water and gently agitate the cloth to remove the dirt; you can also gently rub the cloth against itself to get grime out. Next, rinse it well to remove all soap and dirt, squeeze it and press it to remove as much water as possible, and dry it on a low setting for around 15 minutes before rubbing in some linseed oil to keep it supple.