Remove stains correctly:
Stains sometimes form faster than you would like. Then you need to act quickly to remove stains from leather shoes. Of course, stains also form on other materials. This article also deals with this.
Have you ever wondered how to remove stubborn stains from leather, suede or fabric shoes? Cleaning your shoes regularly is important anyway, after all, they are your everyday companions. This article will tell you everything you need to know about removing stains from different shoe materials. Generally speaking, shoes don’t have it easy, as they are your constant companion when you’re out and about.
What types of stains are there?
Stains appear on shoes in all kinds of forms. The most common types are
- Water stains
- Oil stains
- Blood stains
- Ballpoint pen color
- Grease stains
- Sun cream
Water stains
Water stains form when you are out and about during a rain shower. An absorbent cotton cloth is suitable for removing and drying them. Simply gently dab your leather shoes dry. There is also a special cleaner for water stains on suede.
Oil stains
Oil stains are not so easy to rinse out with water, but it is relatively easy to get rid of them. To do this, sprinkle baby powder on the affected area and leave it on for a while. Powder simply absorbs the oil. Alternatively, dry shampoo is suitable for oil stains. It is important that you always react quickly.
Blood stains
You can easily dry fresh blood stains with cold water. If the blood has already coagulated, removing the stain is much more difficult. You will then need a special cleaner.
Ballpoint pen color
You can remove ballpoint pen ink with a leather cleaner. It is better not to use lemon water, as the acid can attack the leather. Alternatively, use a dirt eraser or fine sandpaper.
Grease stains
The best way to remove dried grease stains is with a bar of gall soap. Then carefully dab off the grease stains with a damp cloth. Then leave your leather shoes to dry. Sometimes dry potatoes can help as a household remedy.
Sun cream
For stains from sun cream, use baking soda or baby powder. Alternatively, buy a leather cleaner that is suitable for your shoes.
There are other types of stains, including ink stains, liquor stains and mold stains. Basically, any stain on leather changes its chemical structure. You may also spill red wine on your shoes from time to time.
Removing stains from fabric shoes
White fabric shoes in particular are very susceptible to stains. They look elegant and stylish, but stains often form more quickly than you would like. To treat stains, you can mix baking soda and washing-up liquid and then apply this to the stained area with a toothbrush. The ratio is 1:1. For larger stains, you can also put your fabric shoes in the washing machine. However, not every shoe can go in the washing machine straight away. Only think about this when all other options have been ruled out. A low washing temperature is recommended. It is better not to spin-dry your fabric shoes. All standard all-purpose detergents are suitable for washing. A sponge and brush will also help you if you want to make your fabric shoes shine again.
The most important thing is to store your fabric shoes correctly. Always protect your shoes from sunlight and moisture. Regular care also pays off so that your fabric shoes shine for longer.
Removing stains from leather
To remove stains from leather, it is first important to differentiate between light and dark leather and between smooth and suede leather. More on the latter later. This is because there are slightly more cleaning agents to choose from for dark leather. However, please note that popular household products are not always the best choice. In this case, you will need to buy a suitable leather cleaner.
Popular household remedies to remove stains from leather are:
- Gall soap and washing-up liquid
- Baking soda
- Chlorine bleach
- Cold decolorizer
If you use gall soap or washing-up liquid to remove stains from leather shoes, wipe the leather stain with one of the two household remedies together with lukewarm water. If gall soap does not help, use baking soda. Sprinkle a small amount of this on the affected area. In the end, the baking soda bleaches the stain. You can achieve a similar effect with a little baking soda. In principle, you only need chlorine bleach if the leather has stained white textiles. Finally, cold remover can help in some cases.
How do you go about cleaning?
If you see a stain on shoes, first remove the coarse dirt with a soft brush. Then take a soft cloth and moisten it slightly with water. Then go over the stain and other soiled areas. Always rub carefully over the stain. If the stain is more stubborn, use a special cleaning foam. Then place the smooth leather shoes in a well-ventilated place to dry. Avoid placing them near a heater, however, as the leather can otherwise dry out too quickly. Finally, subject your leather shoes to more extensive care, as described below.
Special case suede
Suede is considered to be particularly elegant and looks very attractive thanks to its velvety-soft appearance. It absorbs moisture quite quickly. That’s why cleaning your suede shoes requires even more care and attention. But don’t worry, cleaning doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, suede is generally less susceptible to soiling than normal leather due to its rough surface. A protective agent like this will keep your suede shoes looking flawless for longer. To protect against water, you should consider waterproofing. However, bear in mind that many waterproofing sprays can contain harmful substances such as PFAS and PFCs. Clamp your suede shoes on a shoe tree for cleaning or alternatively fill them with crumpled newspaper. This will help them keep their shape. Make sure your suede shoes are dry before you clean them. Otherwise new stains may appear unintentionally.
A dry shampoo for light or dark suede shoes will actually help you to remove stains. After applying the shampoo, carefully clean the dirty area with a suede brush. Use it to remove dirt and impurities from your precious shoes. However, soap and water are taboo. This will only make the stain removal process worse. To remove the actual stains, get yourself a suede eraser. A standard household eraser will also work. The eraser itself must not have any stains. However, do not press the eraser onto the suede with too much force. Instead, move it back and forth with moderate force. If the stains are particularly stubborn, an eraser will no longer help. This requires an acidic liquid. Apply this with the tip of a cloth. Moisten the suede only slightly and do not soak it. Quick sideways movements are best. If the stain is still visible afterwards, repeat the process. Food starch will help with oil and grease stains, chewing gum and wax can be removed by placing your shoes in the freezer.
Stains on synthetic shoes (sneakers, sneakers)
Many people wear (white) sneakers made of synthetic materials in their free time. But the more you use them, the less white and clean they look after a while. Either the soles of the sneakers get dirty or grass and grease stains form. The best way to remove grass stains is with alcohol. Rub the affected area with a little alcohol and dab it with a cloth. Grease stains require a special solvent. Apply this carefully with a cloth. Take particular care with suede sneakers. Chalk, which absorbs the grease on the shoe, may help. If only the sole is dirty, a toothbrush and toothpaste will help. You can also get rid of stains on your sneakers with baking soda and washing-up liquid. Incidentally, you can safely wash dirty laces in the washing machine.
Cleaning tips and products for everyday life
Occasional cleaning is not enough for most shoes. This applies even more to sensitive upper materials. Other factors that play an important role in cleaning are the frequency of use and the time of year.
Wet and dirty shoes must always be cleaned promptly.
The first choice for taking good care of shoes is almost always a shoe brush.
These are available in several variants:
- The dirt brush for coarse soiling
- The suede brush for suede or nubuck leather shoes
- The application brush for applying shoe polish and polish
A distinction is also made between the dusting brush and the jar brush. While the former is used to clean your shoes, the latter is used to apply care products. In addition to the cup brush, there is also the handle brush. Its hairs are at a right angle to the brush body. In contrast, the brush head of the cup brush is more or less an extension of the handle.
In addition to shoe brushes, cloths are essential for shoe cleaning. You use these to apply the care products to your shoes. This works best with lint-free microfiber cloths. A cotton cloth is sufficient for polishing your shoes. Leather soap stands out among the cleaning products. You can use it to remove dirt and other residues without damaging the leather. You can find a special suede spray for suede in specialist shops. Your shoe polish box should also contain a leather sole oil. This makes the soles of your leather shoes elastic, robust and waterproof. At the same time, it reduces wear and tear and increases the lifespan considerably.
What should not be missing in your shoe shine kit?
In addition to the shoe brushes mentioned above, every well-stocked shoe polish box should contain several polishing cloths, a cleaning cream for the soles of the shoes. A waterproofing agent and, of course, shoe polish should not be missing. Opinions differ as to which shoe polish is the best – but the good old shoe polish consisting of grease, coal dust and molasses has proved its worth. Shoe polish that also contains turpentine protects leather shoes and boots from cracking. A sponge is also helpful. Newspaper has proved its worth for drying.
You will find a suitable shoe shine box for every type in the relevant stores. Many of the boxes are already filled with the most important shoe polish items. Otherwise, you are free to buy additional items. Decide for yourself whether you are more of an occasional, regular, organized or stylish shoeshine person. They are available without a lid, with a sliding or hinged lid, with or without drawers.
Important shoe care tips at a glance
- Handle your favorite shoes with care, whether they are leather or textile shoes.
- It’s best to change your shoes every day.
- Stretch your shoes at home with a shoe tree.
- Cleaning always comes before care. Never apply care products to dirty shoes.
- Suede requires special care.
- Have damaged areas on your shoes repaired by an experienced shoemaker.
Useful tips for long-term shoe care
Regardless of whether your shoes are made of dark or light-colored leather, a good waterproofing pays off as it can prevent many stains from the outset. It is important to clean your shoes regularly to remove dirt and dust. The sealant that is already applied to most leather shoes by the manufacturer protects them from moisture and dirt.
Leather shoe care
It is best to care for your leather shoes every two to three weeks. Shoe polish or shoe wax are suitable for this. This will give your leather shoes or leather boots a shiny and supple appearance. Spread this emulsion cream evenly over the entire shoe. The brush for leather shoe care should ideally have soft bristles. Some of the products are colorless, others match the color of your leather shoes. The colored version can also be used to cover up scratches. It is best to apply shoe polish or wax to all areas with a cloth. Don’t forget the heel, sole and shaft. Alternatively, use a shoe brush. Now leave the care product to work for a quarter of an hour. What applies to leather shoes also applies to leather and riding boots. The only difference is that this process takes a little longer.
Suede leather care
For suede leather, it is best to get your own suede brush. Treat finer suede with a crepe brush. Otherwise, use a special cleaner for suede leather. Run this over the suede in all directions. Suede leather types such as nubuck, suede and suede do not react well with shoe polish. For nubuck leather, an eraser will help.
Caring for fabric and textile shoes
Cotton, linen or canvas are the most common materials used to make fabric shoes. Unfortunately, these are also susceptible to all kinds of soiling. First of all, waterproofing protects fabric shoes from dirt and moisture. You can simply brush off light soiling on your textile shoes. If the dirt and stains are more severe, cleaning foam will help. This is gentle on the material. However, the most important thing for textile shoes is good protection. Waterproofing is very important for these shoes.
Further tips for caring for your shoes
As shoes absorb a lot of liquid when worn frequently, you should change your shoes every day if possible. A shoe tree also provides valuable services. This is usually made of wood or fabric and replaces your foot during breaks. This keeps your shoes and boots in shape, as the leather or textile fibers are tightened and creases are reduced.
To store your shoes, you can either use a shoe cabinet or individual shoe boxes. Shoe bags also serve the same purpose. Avoid stacking your shoes unnecessarily and instead arrange them next to each other. This allows your shoes to breathe better. Many people use a shoehorn to put on and take off their shoes. This helps you slip into your shoes more easily.
Polishing shoes
It all starts with preparation. Ideally, you should first remove the laces before polishing. A horsehair brush, for example, is ideal for polishing. Use it to brush out cracks and seams before applying the polish. You can do this with a white cloth or T-shirt. Or you can find an old nylon stocking in the house for the polish. If you want to give your smooth leather shoes a special shine, moisten the cloth with water from time to time. Then rub it over the shoe in a circular motion. This will make the surface of the leather smoother and smoother and reflect the incident light.
Renew shoes
If your shoes are damaged despite careful care, this is no reason to throw them away straight away. You may even have an emotional attachment to your favorite shoes. Professional shoemakers remove scuffs and scratches, correct seams, resole shoes and carry out repairs inside the shoe. Depending on the specific service, you pay a different amount for this. This is usually between 20 and 60 euros.
Shoes need regular care
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Conclusion on caring for your leather shoes and other footwear
Your favorite shoes in particular need good care. This applies all the more to stains and soiling. With a few common household remedies, you should be able to easily remove a grease stain from leather. Ideally, you should develop a cleaning and care routine for your shoes. After all, the maintenance effort will definitely pay off in the end.
Because you can enjoy your favorite shoes made of leather, suede, fabric or textiles for much longer.
