Get That Tomato off Your Shoes: The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Tomato Stains
Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of having someone walk through your kitchen with freshly stained shoes? Or perhaps you yourself have stepped in a tomato sauce on your way home from the grocery store. Tomato stains can be tricky to clean, but with a few simple steps you can have those shoes looking like new.
Updated 17 Feb 2023
By Isabelle Trottier
Removing Fresh Tomato Stains from Shoes
When it comes to getting rid of fresh tomato stains from shoes, the key is acting quickly. The longer the stain remains, the harder it will be to remove. Here’s what you should do:
- Blot the stain with a clean cloth, paper towel or sponge.
- Rinse the area in cold water to remove as much of tomato sauce as possible.
- Mix a solution of gentle detergent and warm water in a bowl.
- Dip a clean cloth into the solution and use it to scrub the stained area in gentle, circular motions.
- Rinse shoe with warm water.
- Allow the shoe to air dry completely before wearing again.
Removing Dried Tomato Stains from Shoes
If you’ve waited too long to clean up a tomato stain, don’t worry. You can still get rid of it, but it will take some extra effort. Here’s what you should do:
- Mix a solution of warm water and a gentle laundry detergent.
- Soak a cloth in solution and use it to scrub the stained area in gentle, circular motions.
- Rinse stained area with warm water.
- If the stain is still visible, mix a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the stained area. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the paste off with warm water.
- Allow the shoe to air dry completely before wearing again.
Other Tips for Removing Tomato Stains
- For stubborn stains, try using a mild cleaning product such as OxiClean. Follow the instructions on the package.
- If you are dealing with a leather shoe, use a leather cleaner to remove the stain.
- You can also use a toothbrush or an old toothbrush to scrub away at dried-on stains.
- Test any product or cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the shoe before applying it to stain.