What steps do I take to remove shoe polish stains from my Vans?

Start by brushing away any excess shoe polish with a soft cloth or brush. Wet a rag or paper towel and dab at the stained area to loosen the polish. You can also use a mild detergent on this step. Apply a coin-sized amount of rubbing alcohol to the affected area using a clean cloth. Rub the material, working from the outside of the stain towards the center. Apply a small amount of detergent to the stained area and scrub it in with a damp cloth until the polish starts to lift up. Rinse the spot with clean water. Using a toothbrush, apply a paste with equal amounts baking soda and white vinegar. Gently scrub the area then let the paste sit for 10-15 minutes. Once the paste has dried, rinse it away with a wet cloth. Launder the Vans according to instructions on the care tag. If the stain persists, repeat the steps before laundering again.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Shoe polish > Vans

Get Rid of Those Stubborn Shoe Polish Stains from Your Vans

It can be frustrating when shoe polish stains appear on your favourite pair of Vans. Fortunately, with the right steps, you can get rid of stubborn spots and keep your kicks looking their best.

Updated 23 Jun 2023

By Nishat Asif

Shoe polish is designed to preserve and protect leather and suede, but it can be a real nuisance when that polished finish rubs off onto your clothes or shoes. This can easily happen with Vans, as canvas material tends to absorb the shoe polish, particularly if the shoes are new or canvas is a light colour.

Steps for Removing Shoe Polish Stains from Vans

Start by brushing away any excess shoe polish with a soft cloth or brush.
Wet a rag or paper towel and dab at stained area to loosen the polish. You can also use a mild detergent on this step.
Apply a coin-sized amount of rubbing alcohol to the affected area using a clean cloth. Rub the material, working from the outside of the stain towards the center.
Apply a small amount of detergent to the stained area and scrub it in with a damp cloth until polish starts to lift up. Rinse spot with clean water.
Using a toothbrush, apply a paste with equal amounts baking soda and white vinegar. Gently scrub the area then let the paste sit for 10-15 minutes. Once the paste has dried, rinse it away with a wet cloth.
Launder the Vans according to instructions on care tag. If stain persists, repeat the steps before laundering again.

Caring for Vans to Prevent Future Stains

To help prevent future shoe polish stains, it’s important to properly care for your Vans. Brush off debris and dirt after each wear, and wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any lingering dirt or dust. Vans should also be regularly recoated with leather conditioner to protect the surface. It's also a good idea to avoid wearing light coloured Vans near shoe polish or similar products.

Try Laundryheap - 24h laundry service with free delivery

Never do laundry again. Save time for things you ❤️

Book now

WikiLaundry

Get Rid of Those Stubborn Shoe Polish Stains from Your Vans

Steps for Removing Shoe Polish Stains from Vans

Caring for Vans to Prevent Future Stains

Try Laundryheap - 24h laundry service with free delivery

Related