How do I remove a fresh insect repellent stain?

Remove any excess repellent from the fabric by blotting the material with a clean cloth. Then, mix equal parts of laundry detergent and white vinegar, and dab it onto the stain with a clean cloth. Leave the mixture on the fabric for half an hour then rinse with cold water.

How do I protect my shoes from insect repellent stains in the future?

Always be sure to test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the shoe first. After applying repellent, give your shoes a good wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any excess.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Insect repellent > Ballet flats

Getting Rid of the Bug Spray: How to Clean Insect Repellent Stains from Ballet Flats

Q: How do I clean the whole shoe?

Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of laundry detergent. Place the shoes into the bowl and let them sit for 30 minutes. After this, use a soft brush to gently scrub the material. Rinse the shoes with cold water and pat them dry with a towel.

Bug spray can help keep pesky critters at bay, but it can also leave behind an unsightly stain on your delicate ballet flats. Don’t worry though – there are a few easy tricks for getting rid of those annoying stains once and for all.

Updated 04 Mar 2023

By Nishat Asif

Removing Fresh Stains

If you’ve only just spilled insect repellent on your ballet flats, act fast. The first step is to remove any excess repellent from the material. To do this, take a cloth and blot the fabric to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Do not rub or scrub away liquid.

Spot Treating the Stain

Now that you’ve removed the excess repellent, it’s time to treat the stain. Mix equal parts of laundry detergent and white vinegar in a bowl. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and dab it onto the stain. You should see the stain start to come away. Leave mixture on the fabric for half an hour before rinsing with cold water. You may need to repeat the process several times until stain has completely gone.

Cleaning the Whole Shoe

If you want to give your entire ballet flat a thorough cleaning, then fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of laundry detergent. Place the shoes into the bowl and let them sit for 30 minutes. After this, use a soft brush to gently scrub the material. Rinse the shoes with cold water and pat them dry with a towel.

Protecting Your Shoes

To prevent insect repellent stains in the future, always be sure to test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the shoe first. That way, you can check to make sure the product won’t damage the fabric. After applying repellent, give your shoes a good wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any excess.

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