My Dad Told Me to Use a Banana to Clean My Shoes, and I Can’t Believe It Worked

This year I’m on a mission to use less plastic and fewer chemical cleaners in my home, and look for effective, all-natural alternatives instead. Recently my leather sandals and booties were due for a cleaning, but I didn’t want to reach for my usual chemical leather cleaner to fix the scuffs and dullness. It was at this point that my dad reminded me of his ingenious trick for cleaning leather that requires one very natural and unexpected thing: a banana. 

Before leather conditioners were commonplace, my dad used the inside of a banana peel to get his shoes clean. Waxy banana peels are packed with natural oils and potassium, which act as a gentle polisher for leather; in fact, potassium is a key ingredient in many commercial leather cleaners, polishes, and preservative treatments. Plus, it’s just going to the compost after you’ve eaten the fruit anyway. It’s worth noting that a banana peel won’t make your leather waterproof, and it doesn’t give it a true deep-clean, but it’ll help remove light scuff marks and residue.

Because I figured that I had nothing to lose, I put my dad’s trick to the test on my scuffed, dusty leather boots. Initially I thought it would be a messy hassle, but it turned out to be incredibly easy and surprisingly clean. I tested it in an inconspicuous spot, and once it looked safe I moved onto the rest of the shoe.

Here’s how I did it: I peeled a banana, ate it, and used a section of the peel’s interior to rub all over the exterior of my leather boots. Once I finished, I used a dry microfiber cloth to buff away any banana residue, dust, and dirt. I was shocked by the result! In seconds, most of the scuffs were gone, and my dull leather boots were shining. I couldn’t believe how easy it was — and how well it worked.

Once I tried this surprising trick on my boots, I did the same on my leather purse and loafers with equally great results. Since then, I’ve been telling everyone about how well it works, especially because it costs nothing and is totally sustainable. So the next time you eat a banana, don’t just toss the peel into the trash — use it to polish your leather goods!