How to Clean Adhesive Tape Stains from Vans: 5 Steps to a Spotless Pair of Shoes
Are adhesive tape stains giving you grief? It doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how to clean sticky residue from your trusty vans in 5 easy steps.
Updated 20 Jun 2023
By Blaž Stančič
Vans are made to be sturdy and long-lasting, but can easily fall prey to thorns, branches, and (worst of all) adhesive tape residue. And while the former two might require a full-on replacement of shoe, adhesive tape residue can also be handled with great success. Here’s what you need to do to make your vans look like new again:
- When dealing with adhesive tape residue, it’s important to not just jump right in with harsh chemicals and cleaning products. Start with a cloth and some warm, soapy water to remove any dirt and grime that has built up on surface of the shoe. This will help loosen the residue and give the other methods a better chance of success.
- Once surface of shoe is as clean as possible, take some rubbing alcohol and apply it to the affected area. The rubbing alcohol should be able to dissolve the residue and loosen it from the shoe.
- If the rubbing alcohol isn’t doing the trick, try using a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover. The remover should break down the adhesive and help it come off without too much trouble.
- Once the adhesive has been removed, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining residue. This should leave the shoe looking just like new.
- To get rid of any remaining smell or unpleasant odour, you can also spray the shoe with a deodorant. This should make sure your vans don’t smell like anything unpleasant.
Adhesive tape residue doesn’t have to be bane of your existence. With these easy steps, you can keep your vans looking fresh and free of any stickiness.