De-Stain Your Kicks - How to Remove Paint from Sneakers

Spilled paint on your shoes? No problem! Learn how to remove that pesky paint stain with a few simple but effective steps.

Nobody wants to ruin their favorite pair of sneakers with a paint stain. Unfortunately, accidents can happen—but the good news is you can restore them to their former glory. Here's how to clean paint stains off of leather, suede, and canvas shoes.

Cleaning Leather and Suede Shoes

A spilled paint stain on leather or suede shoes can seem like a disaster, but there’s no need to panic. Start by taking a soft brush and using it to remove as much of the excess paint as possible. Once the stain is gone, you'll need to use a leather cleaner to make sure the debris doesn't damage the shoe. Apply the cleaner with a soft cloth and wipe in a circular motion. Finish with a clean damp cloth to remove the cleaner.

Cleaning Canvas Shoes

Canvas shoes are the easiest to clean, since you can just throw them in the washing machine. Start by wetting the stained area and scrubbing carefully with a cleaning brush. This should help loosen the paint so that it can be removed more easily. Once done, place the shoes inside an old pillowcase or a laundry bag and wash in cold water with a mild detergent. Then, let the shoes air dry.

Prevention

The best way to avoid paint stains on your shoes is prevention. When painting, wear old shoes that you don’t mind getting ruined, and always wear protective gloves. Also, be sure to keep your paint supplies away from children or pets—that way you won’t have to worry about any accidental spills.

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