I think the solution is kinda jenky. Meaning you could come up with some home remedies as an alternative to the solution liquid you're buying. I think the real money maker here is the brushes. If you already own a brush like this at home, you could do without it. But if you don't, and you're looking for something to help clean your shoes better than just using a rag and soapy water, this is the trick. I think the 3 different brushes with hard, medium, and soft levels are excellent to helping you maintain a clean shoe. You want to look your best, and I think it's mainly the brushes that do the real work.