Ever since reading about it in a magazine (I think it was InStyle, but it may have been Elle) I have been keen to road test this tip. 

So out came the Windex, a standard household glass cleaner, and the roll of paper towel. I sprayed windex directly onto two patent handbags and a few pairs of patent shoes and rubbed them dry with paper towel.

Bingo! It works especially well on black patent leather, making it look extra shiny and polished. My magpie gene is rejoicing.