2009 HowStuffWorks
Shoe polish can liven up an old pair of boots, but it can ruin other things.
Shoe polish is a quick and easy way to breathe new life into shoes that have seen better days. Unfortunately, while it can restore shoes to their former glory, it can destroy clothing and household surfaces. Follow these tips to remove the black marks against you.
Shoe polish is great for shoes but bad for almost everything else. These stain removal techniques will help put these unsightly marks behind you.
After you identify the affected material, follow the steps on these pages to get those shoe polish stains out:
- Non-washable fabrics such as Acetate, Burlap, Fiberglass, Rayon, Rope, Silk, Triacetate, Wool
- Washable fabrics such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic
- Household surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Chromium, Enamel, Glass, Gold, Ivory, Jade, Paint (flat or gloss), Platinum, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Silver, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Wallcovering
- Alabaster and Marble
- Carpet (synthetic or woo)
- Cork, Linoleum and Vinyl Tile
- Felt, Fur, Leather and Suede
- Grout
- Nylon, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex
- Wallpaper
- Wood
