How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains

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.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Acetate, Burlap, Fiberglass,
Rayon, Rope, Silk, Triacetate, Wool

Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) the area with a dry-cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid and apply a dry spotter. Cover the stain with an absorbent pad moistened with dry spotter. Let the pad remain in place as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep both the pad and stain moist with dry spotter. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) the stain with the dry-cleaning fluid. If the stain persists, sponge it with water and apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on silk or wool.) Cover the stain with an absorbent pad dampened with wet spotter and ammonia. Change the pad as it picks up the stain, keeping both the stain and pad moist with wet spotter and ammonia. Flush the area with water and repeat if necessary.
Allow to dry.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen,
Modacrylic

Sponge the area with a dry-cleaning solvent, K2r Spot Lifter or Afta Cleaning Fluid. If you apply K2r Spot Lifter, allow it to dry, then brush (the method of using a stiff-bristled brush to sweep staining material up onto a piece of paper) off powder. If stain persists, mix a paste of powdered detergent, water, and a few drops of ammonia. Place an absorbent pad beneath the area and apply the paste to the stain. When no more stain is being removed, flush the area thoroughly with water and launder as soon as possible.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
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

Wipe the surface with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added. Rinse well with clear water and wipe dry.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Alabaster, Marble

Wipe the surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added. Rinse well and wipe dry. If a stain persists, mix a poultice from water, bleach, and powdered detergent. Apply to the stain and let it remain until the oil has been drawn out and the stain bleached out. Rinse thoroughly with clear water and wipe dry.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Carpet (synthetic or wool)

Scrape (the method of using a dull tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) to remove as much excess as possible. Sponge the stain with a concentrated solution of carpet shampoo or apply Spot Shot Carpet Stain Remover. Continue sponging the area, rinsing the cloth or sponge in clear water as it picks up the stain. Repeat until no more stain is removed.

How To Make Wet And Dry Spotters
Dry spotter:
To make a dry spotter, combine 1 part coconut oil (available at pharmacies and health food stores) and 8 parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent. This solution may be stored if the container is tightly capped to prevent evaporation of the solvent. Mineral oil may be substituted for the coconut oil, but is not quite as effective.
Caution: Dry-cleaning solvents are poisonous and may be flammable.

Wet spotter:
To prepare a wet spotter, mix 1 part glycerine, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts water. Shake well before each use. Store wet spotter in a plastic squeeze bottle.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Cork, Linoleum, Vinyl Tile

Cover the stain with a rubbing alcohol compress. Let the compress remain in place for 5 minutes. Wipe the area with a cloth dampened with ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on linoleum or vinyl floor tile.) Rinse well and allow to dry.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Felt, Fur (natural or synthetic), Leather, Suede

Because of the dyes contained in shoe polish, this stain cannot be removed by a nonprofessional.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Grout

Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. If a stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into a little baking soda or powdered cleanser. Gently scrub the spot. Rinse well and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex

Immediately sponge the stain with suds made with dishwashing detergent. Sprinkle lemon juice and salt over the area and allow to penetrate for 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly with water and launder as soon as possible. Repeat treatment if necessary.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Wallpaper

Note: This stain might permanently dye the paper. Rub the area very gently with a damp cloth sprinkled with a little baking soda. Wipe the area with a cloth dampened with cool clear water. Do not let the wet area spread or run. Overlap strokes to prevent streaking. Use a clean cloth to gently pat dry.

How to Remove Shoe Polish Stains From:
Wood

Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added. Rinse well with a cloth moistened with clear water and wipe dry. Polish or wax the wood as usual.

Shoe polish stains, which is good for shoes but bad for almost everything else. These stain removal techniques will help put these unsightly marks behind you.