How do I clean shoe polish stains from leather?

Try cleaning the affected area with soap and water. You can also try using rubbing alcohol or mixing baking soda with a bit of water. If none of these methods work, take your shoes to a professional cobbler for a deep clean.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Shoe polish > Leather

Get Rid of Shoe Polish Stains for Good with These Expert Cleaning Tips

Shoe polish is a great way to keep your leather shoes looking glossy and clean. Unfortunately, shoe polish can be tricky to work with and messy stains can result. But don't worry- you can use these methods to get rid of those dreaded shoe polish stains for good!

Updated 23 Jun 2023

By Peter Blackwood

Introduction

Method 1: Use Soap and Water

The first step is to clean the affected area with soap and water. Get a damp cloth and lather it with some mild soap. Gently wipe off the excess shoe polish and rinse the cloth regularly. Make sure not to scrub too hard as this can damage the leather.

Method 2: Rubbing Alcohol

If the shoe polish stain is more stubborn than usual, you can try using rubbing alcohol. Dampen a cloth or cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and lightly rub the affected area. Use a clean cloth to buff dry leather when done. You can repeat this method if necessary.

Method 3: Mix Baking Soda and Water

If above methods don't work, mix some baking soda with a bit of water to create a paste like consistency. Apply the paste on the shoe polish stain and let sit for 15 minutes. Afterwards, wipe off with a damp cloth and buff dry with a clean cloth.

Conclusion

By using these methods you can easily get rid of shoe polish stains from leather. Always remember to be gentle when cleaning leather so you don't damage it in the process. If all else fails, take your shoes to a professional cobbler for a deep clean.

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