Get Grill Marks out of Your Shoes: How to Clean Barbecue Sauce Stains from Pumps
Barbecues are a lot of fun, but when sauce ends up flying off the grill, it can leave a lasting impression on your favorite pumps. Don't worry though — there are several easy ways to remove barbecue sauce stains from shoes so you can keep your kicks looking as good as new.
Updated 20 Jun 2023
By Isabelle Trottier
Removing Fresh and Dried Barbecue Sauce Stains
If you've just spilled barbecue sauce on your shoes, your best bet is to quickly grab a cloth and start blotting — don’t rub! — the sauce away until most of it has been removed. You should also avoid using paper towels, which could potentially leave behind pieces of the towel that will get stuck in the fabric of the shoe.
Once you’ve wiped away as much of the sauce as you can, mix two tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent with one quart of warm water. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and use it to scrub any remaining sauce from the shoe. Rinse shoe by using a separate cloth and clean water to wipe away any dirt or suds, then allow the shoe to air dry.
If the stain has already dried, you'll need to soften it back up to make it easier to remove. To do this, first dip a cloth in some lukewarm water. Then, gently massage the stained area with the damp cloth for 30 seconds to soften stain.
Once the stain has softened up, it's time to get it out! Again, mix two tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent with one quart of warm water. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and use it to scrub stain away. Be sure to rinse the shoe afterwards with a damp cloth and let it air dry completely.
Stain Removal Tips
When dealing with barbecue sauce stains, it’s important to act fast to ensure that the stain doesn’t set in. If you’re at a picnic or barbecue, grab some club soda right away and use it to soak up the sauce. If you’re dealing with a dried stain, try applying a dab of white vinegar to help loosen up the stain before attempting to remove it.
If the stain isn’t coming out after two tries, it’s probably time to take your shoes to a professional cleaner. They will have the equipment and knowledge necessary to get rid of even the toughest of stains.
How do I remove dried barbecue sauce stains? To remove a dried barbecue sauce stain, you'll need to soften it back up by massaging the stained area with a damp cloth for 30 seconds. Once the stain has softened, mix two tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent with one quart of warm water. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and use it to scrub the stain away. Be sure to rinse the shoe afterwards with a damp cloth and let it air dry completely.
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