How do I clean shoe polish stains from my ball gown?

Start by making a paste of equal parts baking soda and water and applying it to the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then use a soft bristled brush to scrape away the excess shoe polish. Next, if your ball gown is machine washable, add your preferred detergent or stain remover and let it sit for a few minutes. If not, skip this step. Rinse with cold water and a white towel, and dry the area completely.

How do I prevent the stain from spreading or getting worse?

Make sure not to scrub the stain back and forth, but instead work in one direction. Also, blot the area instead of scrubbing when rinsing with water, and make sure to dry the area completely to prevent the stain from setting in.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Shoe polish > Ball gown

Give Your Ball Gown a Fresh New Look: How to Clean Shoe Polish Stains

It can be heartbreaking when you notice a stain on your beautiful ball gown. One of the most common and difficult stains to remove is shoe polish. This guide will help make sure you know how to properly clean shoe polish stains so your gown looks good as new!

Updated 24 Jun 2023

By Isabelle Trottier

What You Will Need

Baking Soda
If washable, mild detergent or stain remover
White Towel
Soft Bristled Brush
Warm Water

1. Pre-Treat Stain with Baking Soda

Start by making a paste of equal parts baking soda and water. If you need more paste, feel free to double or triple the recipe. You want enough to cover the stain, but don't need to go overboard.

Once you have paste ready, apply it to the stain and let sit for 10 minutes. This will help the baking soda absorb some of the stain before you start cleaning.

2. Scrape Away Excess Shoe Polish

Once the paste has had time to work its magic, use a soft bristled brush to lightly scrub off the excess shoe polish. Make sure you are being very gentle and don't brush too hard, as this could damage the fabric of your gown.

Be sure not to rub the stain back and forth; instead, work in one direction as this will help ensure that the stain does not spread.

3. Clean with Cold Water and Detergent

If your ball gown is machine washable, pour some of your favorite detergent or stain remover onto the stain once all of the excess shoe polish has been removed. Make sure to rub the detergent in a circular motion and let it sit for a few minutes. If your gown is not machine washable, skip this step.

After the detergent has had time to work its magic, rinse the area with cold water and a white towel. Be sure to blot the area and not scrub it, as this will help keep the stain from spreading or becoming worse.

4. Dry the Area

Once all of the detergent and water have been removed, make sure to dry area completely with a white towel. This will help prevent the stain from setting in and becoming even harder to remove.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to properly clean shoe polish stains from a ball gown, you should be able to keep your amazing dress looking beautiful. Just remember to be gentle and work in one direction to ensure that the stain doesn't spread or become worse.

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