If your have marks on light coloured leather or patent shoes, try cleaning them with acetone (nail polish remover). Soak a piece of cotton wool in the acetone and rub it over the mark. I haven’t found a need to be gentle with my patent shoes, but am a dash more careful with soft leather (I haven’t tried this with metallic leather).

This method works wonders. The colour of the shoe somehow remains intact, and in most cases the marks either disappear or are substantially reduced. It’s particularly effective for removing dark blue stains that end up on the top, or at the back of your shoes after wearing dark blue wash jeans. My yellow and cream patent heels continue to look new because of this easy trick.