Make Your Down Jacket Sparkle Again: How to Clean Shoe Polish Stains
Shoe polish stains can quickly ruin the look of your down jacket. But don't despair: removing shoe polish stains is easy and straightforward. With right materials and a bit of elbow grease, you'll be able to make your down jacket look shiny and new again in no time!
Updated 24 Jun 2023
By Blaž Stančič
What You Need to Remove Shoe Polish Stains
The materials you need to successfully remove shoe polish stains vary slightly depending on the type of fabric your down jacket is made from. For most fabrics, however, you will need:
- Non-chlorine bleach
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Gentle laundry detergent
- Stain remover
Steps to Clean Shoe Polish Stains on Down Jacket
- Place the down jacket on a flat surface with the stain facing up.
- Dip a clean cloth or sponge in the non-chlorine bleach solution, and gently dab the stain to pre-treat it.
- Mix a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and equal parts gentle laundry detergent, and rub into the stain.
- Allow the solution to sit for 10 minutes.
- With a clean cloth or a scrub brush, work the solution into fabric, making sure to gently scrub the area.
- Rinse down jacket thoroughly.
- If the stain persists, apply a stain remover directly onto the affected area.
- Work the solution into the fabric using a scrub brush.
- Rinse down jacket one more time.
- Allow down jacket to air dry.
Additional Tips to Avoid Shoe Polish Stains
- Always wear gloves when applying shoe polish to prevent staining your hands.
- When removing shoe polish from leather and fabric shoes, use a soft cloth and blot the area instead of rubbing or scrubbing.
- To prevent a spill, don't place the shoe polish container near the edge of a table or countertop.
- If you do spill shoe polish, act quickly and try to absorb as much of the liquid as possible with a paper towel.