When Shoes are Muddy... -1908 Shoes when muddy and wet may be greatly preserves by the use of vaseline. Rub the shoes well with a soft cloth, after all the mud had been carefully removed, saturate a cloth with vaseline and rub it well into the shoes, place them on boot trees or stuff with newspaper, leaving them for twenty four hours. Then give then another dressing and rubbing and the shoes will appear equal to new.