In about 1910, the English tobacco company, Gallaher’s Cigarettes, printed a series of 100 “How to do it” cards that included everyday useful and helpful tips including these three for boot and shoe care:
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In one of her Regency novels Georgette Heyer mentions a young aspiring dandy polishing his boots with a banana skin. This sounds like it would be less damaging to leather than acidic lemon juice.
Oddly – I have heard of that method before. I should try it some day to see if it works!