How can I get shoe polish stains out of cotton gingham?

Remove excess shoe polish with a soft cloth. Pretreat the stain by moistening the area with a solution of lukewarm water and mild detergent. Soak the stained areas in a solution of lukewarm water and laundry detergent for at least thirty minutes. To tackle tougher stains, mix equal parts liquid dish soap and hydrogen peroxide together and apply this solution to the shoe polish stain. Finally, machine wash the item in the hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Shoe polish > Cotton gingham

Clean Up Quick! Effective Tips to Get Shoe Polish Stains Out of Cotton Gingham

Oh no! You got some shoe polish on your favorite cotton gingham shirt. Don't worry – a few simple steps can help get the stain out in no time. Read on for tips on how to tackle those pesky shoe polish stains once and for all.

Updated 23 Jun 2023

By Brane Lukman

Step 1: Act Fast

As soon as you notice the stain, act fast. The quicker you act, the better chance you have of preventing shoe polish from setting into the fabric. Remove excess shoe polish with a soft cloth, dabbing rather than rubbing the stain. If the shoe polish has already dried, gently scrape off the excess with a butter knife.

Step 2: Start Pretreating

If the shoe polish stain is fresh, moisten the area with a solution of lukewarm water and mild detergent. Use a soft brush to work the solution into the fibers. For tougher stains, try spraying the area with a prewash spray and wait five minutes before adding your laundry detergent.

Step 3: Soaking

Soak the stained areas in a solution of lukewarm water and laundry detergent for about thirty minutes. Let the item air dry completely before anything else.

Step 4: Soap and Water

Mix equal parts liquid dish soap and hydrogen peroxide together and apply this solution to the shoe polish stain. Rub the solution gently into fabric and let stand for twenty minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water afterwards.

Step 5: Wash and Dry

Once you have pretreated the stain, you can put the item in the washing machine. Use hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric. After washing, check the stained area. If the stain is still visible, repeat soaks and pretreatments. After you have removed the stain completely, hang the item to dry or place it in the dryer on the lowest heat setting.

FAQs

Try Laundryheap - 24h laundry service with free delivery

Never do laundry again. Save time for things you ❤️

Book now

WikiLaundry