Hotel equipment · Shoe care · HEUTE

Shoe care machines: polishing, creams, spare parts and service. Everything for shiny shoes

The first thing people notice in a hotel lobby, an office or at a restaurant table is often not a face but a pair of shoes. A shoe polishing machine lets a guest, an employee or a client tidy their shoes in a few seconds. In this article we explain how these machines work, how to polish and care for shoes properly, how to deal with moisture and odour, and how to clean your shoes fast, even a few minutes before a date.

1905

the year the HEUTE factory was founded in Solingen, Germany

3

brushes: one cleans, two polish to a shine

0.75 l

polish dispenser in Elegance and Polifix models

01 Who needs a shoe polishing machine

A shoe polishing machine is not a luxury. It is a small detail that makes a big impression. Guests remember it as care, staff as convenience, owners as cleaner floors. This is where it works best:

Hotel

In the lobby or by the lifts, guests can polish their shoes themselves before a meeting or dinner. A perfect place for the wood-finish Elegance Nature or the elegant Ellipse column.

Office, bank, business centre

Staff and clients come in from the street with dusty or salty shoes. A compact Easy Comfort or Elegance Couleur is enough for the entrance area.

Restaurant, theatre, casino

Guests arrive dressed up, and shiny shoes are part of the look. For heavy use, choose the Polifix2 with a handrail.

Factory, warehouse, sports club

Sand and dust should be removed from soles at the entrance so they are not carried inside. That is what the Solamat 90 dry-cleaning unit is for.
BHS represents the HEUTE factory. With us you get the machines, original HEUTE brushes and polishing lotions, and BHS service in one place. HEUTE is a family company that has been making machines in Solingen, Germany, since 1905.

02 How the machine works and how to choose a model

All HEUTE polishing machines work on a simple principle, and the whole process takes a few seconds:

  1. Sensor. When a shoe comes close, a foot or hand sensor with a timer starts the machine. Nothing needs to be pressed.
  2. Pre-cleaning. The first brush (horsehair or nylon) removes dust and dry dirt.
  3. Polish. The dispenser applies a little polishing lotion straight onto the polishing brush.
  4. Polishing. Two soft brushes work the lotion into the leather and buff it to a shine. Separate brushes can be used for light and dark shoes.

HEUTE models compared

Easy Comfort

Brushes
3 × Ø 13 cm
Polish dispenser
0.2 l
Motor
120 W
Size, weight
49×32×31 cm, 10 kg

Elegance Nature

Brushes
3 × Ø 13 cm, horsehair
Polish dispenser
0.75 l
Motor
140 W
Size, weight
50×30×36 cm, 16 kg

Elegance Couleur

Brushes
3 × Ø 13 cm, horsehair
Polish dispenser
0.75 l
Motor
150 W
Size, weight
50×30×36 cm, stainless steel

Polifix2

Brushes
3 × Ø 22 cm, horsehair
Polish dispenser
0.75 l
Motor
150 W
Size, weight
56×31×94 cm, with handrail

Politec Solar

Brushes
2 × Ø 22 cm
Polish dispenser
1 l
Motor
240 W
Size, weight
66×34×114 cm, wall-mounted

Ellipse

Brushes
3 × Ø 22 cm, horsehair
Polish dispenser
ask about the configuration
Motor
60 W
Size, weight
Ø 44 × 127 cm, 44 kg

Solamat 90

Brushes
4 rotating + 2 side brushes for soles
Polish dispenser
none
Motor
180 W
Size, weight
46×56×114 cm, 47 kg
How to choose: larger brushes (Ø 22 cm) and a handrail are more comfortable for heavy use and big shoes. Compact tabletop-style models (Ø 13 cm) suit places where a few dozen people polish their shoes each day. The Solamat dry-cleaning unit does not polish; it cleans soles and edges.

03 Guide: how to polish and care for shoes properly

A machine makes the job much easier, but a good result depends on the right order and the right product.

With a polishing machine

  1. If the shoes are wet or muddy, wipe them first and let them dry. The machine is designed for dry shoes.
  2. Hold the shoe against the pre-cleaning brush and move it gently back and forth a few times, including the toe and heel.
  3. Move the shoe to the polishing brush. The dispenser applies the lotion, so a little turning is enough.
  4. For light and coloured shoes use the colourless neutral lotion and the light brush; for black shoes use the black lotion.
  5. Check the result after a few seconds. For more shine, polish again without extra lotion.

By hand at home

  1. Remove the laces and insert a shoe tree to keep the leather taut.
  2. Brush off the dust and wipe away dirt with a slightly damp cloth. Let the shoes dry at room temperature.
  3. Apply a thin layer of cream with a cloth or small brush, paying attention to creases and seams.
  4. Let the cream soak in for a few minutes.
  5. Buff with a soft brush or cloth using quick, light strokes. For a mirror shine on the toe, add another very thin layer and polish with a few drops of water.

Which product for which material

  • Smooth leather — cream or lotion, then buffing. The machine and HEUTE lotion are made exactly for this; What to avoid: do not leave a thick layer of cream, it attracts dust
  • Patent leather — a soft cloth and a special patent leather product; What to avoid: do not polish with ordinary cream or hard brushes
  • Suede and nubuck — a dry brush or eraser, then a waterproofing spray; What to avoid: do not use cream or a polishing machine
  • Textile and trainers — a soft brush and a mild cleaner; What to avoid: do not polish with cream
  • Rubber boots — a damp cloth; for soles, a dry-cleaning unit; What to avoid: do not put them by a radiator
Important: polishing machines are designed for smooth leather shoes. Do not put suede, nubuck or textile shoes on the polishing brushes, as the cream will damage them. For these shoes, pre-cleaning or a dry brush is enough.

04 Moisture and odour: deodorants, absorbers, drying

Leather is a natural material. It breathes, absorbs moisture and can start to smell. Proper care makes shoes last longer and prevents unpleasant odours.

Let shoes rest

After wearing, leather shoes need about a day to dry out. If you can, alternate pairs so they last longer and smell less.

Shoe trees

Inserts made of cedar or other untreated wood absorb moisture, keep the shape and naturally freshen the air inside the shoe.

Moisture absorbers

Silica gel sachets or fabric bags filled with baking soda help shoes dry faster. Crumpled paper also works for quick drying; replace it after a couple of hours.

Shoe deodorants

An antibacterial spray after wearing, and powder or activated charcoal inserts, neutralise odour. After spraying, let the shoes air out.

Protection from moisture

A waterproofing spray for leather and suede forms a layer that repels water and salt. Renew it every few weeks, especially in autumn and winter.

Drying without a radiator

Dry wet shoes at room temperature. Next to a radiator or hairdryer, leather shrinks, starts to crack and the sole may come unglued.
Winter salt: white marks on leather should be removed as soon as possible. Then the leather needs feeding with cream or lotion, or it dries out and cracks. A machine with neutral lotion is the fastest way to restore the leather's flexibility every day.

05 What it looks like in practice: shiny shoes before a date

Below is a typical situation that hotel receptionists often describe. The characters are fictional.

Robert and 20 minutes to a date

Robert came to Riga for a conference, and in the evening he had a date at a restaurant across the street. It had rained all day, the pavements were salty, and his black shoes looked as if they had run a marathon. There were 20 minutes left.

In the hotel lobby, by the lifts, stood an Elegance Nature in walnut. Robert wiped his shoes with a paper towel, let them dry for a couple of minutes and held them to the brushes. The sensor started the machine, and half a minute later his shoes were shining again.

On Friday evenings guests even queue for the machine, the receptionist smiles. Many say it is one of the reasons they come back. It costs us a few cents, but the guest feels welcome.

The date went well. At least that is what Robert says, and if anything had gone wrong, it would not have been the shoes.

A quick rescue plan before a date, if there is no machine nearby

  1. Wipe off mud and dust with a damp wipe or paper towel.
  2. Wipe salt marks with a cloth dampened in a mix of water and white vinegar (about 2 : 1), then with clean water.
  3. Let the leather dry for a couple of minutes, not by a radiator or with a hot hairdryer.
  4. Apply a very thin layer of cream or lotion. If you have none, a few drops of colourless hand cream will help.
  5. Buff with a soft cloth, a cotton T-shirt or a nylon sock until it shines. Do not forget the heel and the edge of the sole.

06 Hotel, office, restaurant, production: what to choose

The right machine depends on how many people will use it and where it will stand.

  • Hotel — lobby, lift area, conference floor; the machine must fit the interior; Recommended model: Elegance Nature, Ellipse; Most common mistake: the machine is hidden in a corner and guests never find out about it
  • Office and business centre — entrance area, staff and clients, medium use; Recommended model: Easy Comfort, Elegance Couleur; Most common mistake: nobody is responsible for refilling the lotion
  • Restaurant, theatre, casino — cloakroom, heavy use in the evening; Recommended model: Polifix2, Politec Solar; Most common mistake: too small a machine for the number of guests
  • Factory, warehouse, sports club — dry sand and dust on soles; Recommended model: Solamat 90; Most common mistake: expecting a dry-cleaning unit to remove wet mud
The most common mistake everywhere: the machine is bought, but nobody is put in charge of it. An empty dispenser and worn brushes give a poor shine, and people stop using it.

07 A simple calculation: the cost of one shoe shine

A shoe polishing machine often looks expensive. Let us see what it costs per shine. A set for a hotel lobby:

Set total€1,212.55

Assumption: the machine lasts at least 5 years and is used for 20 pairs of shoes a day. That is 36,500 shines. The machine price per pair is about €0.03. Electricity at €0.22 per kWh and 30 seconds per pair costs less than €0.00. Even with lotion and the occasional new brush, one shine costs a few cents.

Calculate with your own figures: how many people pass the machine each day and how long you plan to use it. Lotion use depends on the number of shoes and the dispenser setting.

08 Installation, use and common mistakes

To make the machine last and make people want to use it:

  • Place it somewhere visible: in the lobby, by the lifts or in the cloakroom, not behind a door.
  • A standard 230 V socket is enough. Place models with a handrail so people can hold on comfortably.
  • Put the Solamat at the entrance where shoes are still dry, and empty the dirt tray regularly.
  • Add a small sign next to the machine explaining how to use it and that it is not for suede shoes.
  • Appoint someone to check the lotion and brushes once a week.

Common mistakes: problem, cause, solution

  • Shoes do not shine — empty dispenser or worn polishing brushes; Solution: refill the lotion, replace the polishing brush
  • Dark marks on light shoes — one brush for black and neutral lotion; Solution: a separate light polishing brush and neutral lotion
  • The brush does not remove dirt — worn pre-cleaning brush; Solution: a new horsehair pre-cleaning brush
  • Lotion has dried out — the machine was not used for a long time; Solution: clean the dispenser and refill with fresh lotion
  • The machine does not start — blocked sensor or faulty electronics; Solution: clean the sensor; if that does not help, call BHS service
  • Suede shoes damaged — put on the polishing brushes; Solution: a sign by the machine: dry brush only for suede

09 Service, spare parts, maintenance

The brushes wear the most, and the lotion needs regular refilling. As the HEUTE factory representative, BHS supplies original spare parts and lotions, and you can arrange maintenance and repairs with BHS service.

BHS service: 24/7, parts and support

24/7 service line +371 25 522 233. Our engineers work on site across Latvia, the spare parts warehouse is in Riga at Vagonu iela 23, and we have more than 20 years of experience. We deliver machines, lotions and spare parts across the Baltics and Europe.

Call: +371 25 522 233Service

Pre-cleaning brush

Horsehair, dark, €87.21. For Elegance and similar models.

View brush

Polishing brushes

Wool yarn bristles, dark and light, €59.99 each.

Polishing brush

Polishing lotions

Neutral and black, 1 l, €26.78 each. Feeds leather with natural wax.

Lotions

All spare parts

Original HEUTE parts for shoe care machines.

Spare parts

WhenWhat to do
Every daywipe off dust, check that the machine starts
Every weekcheck the lotion level, empty the Solamat dirt tray
Every monthcheck the brushes, clean the dispenser and sensor
When neededreplace worn brushes; for repairs, BHS service

10 Models in the BHS range

HEUTE shoe care machines and lotions in the BHS range.

Easy Comfort

Easy Comfort

021-1300 · HEUTE

€319.00

Compact machine for offices and small hotels, 3 brushes, 0.2 l dispenser.

Elegance Nature

Elegance Nature

029-8800 · HEUTE

€1,099.00

Wood finish, horsehair pre-cleaning, 0.75 l dispenser, sensor with timer.

Elegance Couleur

Elegance Couleur

029-6200 · HEUTE

€1,369.00

Stainless steel housing for medium to heavy use.

Polifix2

Polifix2

034-6200 · HEUTE

€1,649.00

Floor model with handrail and Ø 22 cm brushes for heavy use.

Politec Solar

Politec Solar

046-2500 · HEUTE

€1,699.00

Wall-mounted, 240 W, 1 l dispenser.

Ellipse

Ellipse

056-6200 · HEUTE

€2,679.00

Stainless steel column for prestigious spaces.

Solamat 90

Solamat 90

060-2100 · HEUTE

€2,679.00

Dry sole cleaning: 4 rotating and 2 side brushes, dirt tray.

Polishing lotion, neutral

Polishing lotion, neutral

018-0010 · HEUTE

€26.78

1 l, colourless, feeds leather with natural wax.

Prices excluding VAT, October 2026. Check the product page for the current price and availability.

11 Frequently asked questions

Can suede shoes be polished in the machine
No. The polishing brushes and cream are made for smooth leather. Clean suede and nubuck with a dry brush and protect them with a waterproofing spray.
How often to replace the brushes
It depends on use. When the bristles are worn or shoes no longer shine, it is time to replace the polishing brush or the pre-cleaning brush.
Which lotion to use
For light and coloured shoes, the colourless neutral one; for black shoes, the black one. Original HEUTE lotion, made for the machine's dispenser, is recommended.
How to clean shoes quickly without a machine
Wipe off dirt with a damp wipe, salt marks with a water and vinegar mix, let them dry, apply a thin layer of cream and buff with a soft cloth.
How to get rid of shoe odour
Let shoes dry for at least a day, use shoe trees, moisture absorbers and a shoe deodorant, and change insoles regularly.
What makes the Solamat different
The Solamat does not polish. It dry-cleans soles and edges of sand and dust. It stands at the entrance so dirt is not carried inside.
Who handles maintenance and repairs
BHS represents the HEUTE factory. We supply original brushes and lotions, and you can arrange maintenance and repairs with BHS service on +371 25 522 233.

Shiny shoes for your guests, starting today

BHS will help you choose the right HEUTE machine for your space and footfall, supply lotions and spare parts, and provide service. Delivery across the Baltics and Europe.

Call: +371 25 522 233Shoe care machinesLotionsSpare partsService

This article is for information only. The care tips are general: test any new product on a hidden spot first and follow the shoe manufacturer's instructions. Technical data come from the manufacturer's descriptions on our website. The characters in the story are fictional. Prices excluding VAT, October 2026.