What supplies do I need to remove shoe polish stains?

You will need dish washing liquid, white vinegar, an old toothbrush, and white cloths.

How can I clean the area after washing?

Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Soak the stained area in the solution for 10 minutes. Scrub the area with a soft brush to break up any dirt and debris. Rinse off the area with cold water. Apply a stain remover specifically designed for shoe polish stains. Blot the stained area with a clean, white cloth and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse off with cold water.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Shoe polish > Cotton denim

Eliminate Unsightly Shoe Polish Stains from Cotton Denim

Shoe polish stains are one of the most common yet difficult stains to remove from cotton denim. This guide will cover all the steps you need to follow to get your denim back to looking good as new.

Updated 23 Jun 2023

By Jacobim Mugabe

Supplies Needed

Dish washing liquid
White vinegar
Old toothbrush
White cloths

Removing the Stain

Mix two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with two cups of warm water and stir until combined.
Submerge stained area into the solution and let it soak for 10 minutes.
Blot the area with a white cloth to absorb the solution from the fabric.
Rinse off the area with cold water.
Prepare another solution by mixing a few tablespoons of white vinegar with two cups of cold water.
Soak the stained area in the vinegar solution and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Use an old toothbrush to scrub the area to loosen any stuck-on residue.
Rinse off with cold water.

Cleaning After Washing

Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
Soak the stained area in solution for 10 minutes.
Scrub the area with a soft brush to break up any dirt and debris.
Rinse off the area with cold water.
Apply a stain remover specifically designed for shoe polish stains.
Blot the stained area with a clean, white cloth and let it sit for a few minutes.
Rinse off with cold water.

Additional Tips

It is important to always use cold water when cleaning shoe polish stains as hot water can cause the stain to set.
If the stain is still visible after the above steps, apply a small amount of white vinegar directly onto the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
You can also use a commercial stain remover such as Shout or Resolve to help lift the stain out of the fabric.

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