How To Remove Shoe Polish Stains - Shoe Polish Stain Removal

Shoe polish stains can happen quickly, and because the shoe polish is designed to stay on your shoes it is really hard to remove these stains.

Below are step by step instructions for how to remove shoe polish from clothing, other washable fabric, upholstery and carpet.

However, I should caution that some stains caused by shoe polish are just impossible to remove, so to make the possibility of that as slight as possible treat the stain as quickly as possible.

The reason speed is so important is because the shorter the amount of time the shoe polish is on the surface before treatment begins, the less time the stain has to set.

How To Remove Shoe Polish Stains From Clothing And Fabrics

Step 1: Remove as much excess shoe polish as possible, being careful not to spread the stain further.

Step 2: Apply liquid laundry detergent, which contains enzymes, to the stained area and tamp the stain.

Hint: Tamping the stain means to hit it quickly, to almost try to hit the stain out of the fabric, but it does not mean to rub the stain, which will only grind the stain in further, making it more difficult to remove.

Step 3: Let the cloth soak in a solution of cold water and liquid laundry detergent, with enzymes, for 15-20 minutes.

Step 4: Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color bleach if not.

Hint: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain.

If this does not remove the stain, continue on to the next part of the directions. Do not dry the fabric in the dryer.

Step 5: Sponge the stain with dry cleaning solvent, using a clean, lint free white cloth.

Step 6: Blot at the stain until the dry cleaning solvent is absorbed.

Step 7: Repeat steps 5-6 until the stain is removed.

Step 8: Repeat step 4 above, laundering the fabric.

Shoe Polish Stain Removal From Upholstery

Step 1: Remove as much excess shoe polish as possible, being careful not to spread the stain further.

Step 2: Sponge the stain with dry cleaning solvent, using a clean, lint free white cloth.

Step 3: Blot at the stain until the dry cleaning solvent is absorbed.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the stain is removed.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Removing Stains Caused By Shoe Polish From Carpet

The instructions for removal of stains caused by shoe polish from carpet is the same as for upholstery, in case you have shoe polish spilled on carpet.

Make sure you do not pour the dry cleaning solvent directly to your carpet, but instead apply a more measured amount of the solvent onto a cloth and then blot this onto your carpet.

The reason for this is that dry cleaning solvent can, over time, dissolve the backing of your carpet, so you don't want to use more than necessary.

Further, when you have removed the stain also make sure to remove the excess solvent from the carpet by using a detergent solution to blot at the carpet to dilute the solvent, and remove some of it from the carpeting.

You may find helpful this video demonstrating the blotting technique for shoe polish stain removal from carpet.

However, if you don't have luck with the dry-cleaning solvent, you can also do something additional with the carpet stain, which is to mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid, and two cups warm water to use as a stain removal solution.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Below are examples of the most common stains discussed in the Guide.

Click here to visit the Stain Removal Guide

Photo by douglemoine

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only, and Stain-Removal-101.com provides it as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some stain removal methods can harm your item, so if the stained item is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.