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Shoe polish can bring an old pair of boots back to life, but it can cause damage to other items.
2009 MytourShoe polish is a fast and simple way to restore the shine to shoes that have seen better days. Unfortunately, while it can revitalize shoes, it can also damage clothing and household surfaces. Use these helpful tips to remove those dark marks.
Shoe polish works wonders on shoes but can wreak havoc on almost everything else. These stain removal techniques will help you get rid of those unsightly stains.
Once you’ve identified the affected material, follow the steps provided on these pages to remove the shoe polish stains.
- Non-washable fabrics like 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 wool)
- Cork, Linoleum and Vinyl Tile
- Felt, Fur, Leather and Suede
- Grout
- Nylon, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex
- Wallpaper
- Wood
Non-washable Fabrics
Follow these steps to remove shoe polish stains from non-washable fabrics like Acetate, Burlap, Fiberglass, Rayon, Rope, Silk, Triacetate, and Wool:
- Sponge (use a dampened pad to gently apply light strokes, working from the center of the stain outward) the area with a dry-cleaning solvent and apply a dry spotter.
- Place an absorbent pad moistened with dry spotter over the stain.
- Keep the pad in place as long as it continues to remove the stain.
- Change the pad as it absorbs the stain. Keep both the pad and stain moist with dry spotter.
- Flush (apply stain remover to loosen staining material and residue) the stain with the dry-cleaning fluid.
If the stain remains:
- Sponge the stain with water, then apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia. (Avoid using ammonia on silk or wool.)
- Place an absorbent pad moistened with wet spotter and ammonia over the stain.
- Change the pad as it absorbs the stain, ensuring both the stain and pad remain moist with wet spotter and ammonia.
- Flush the area with water and repeat as necessary.
- Let it dry.
Washable Fabrics
Follow these steps to remove shoe polish stains from washable fabrics like Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, and Modacrylic:
- Sponge the area with a dry-cleaning solvent, spot lifter, or cleaning fluid.
- Allow the fabric to dry.
If the stain remains:
- Mix a paste using powdered detergent, water, and a few drops of ammonia.
- Place an absorbent pad under the stained area and apply the paste directly to the stain.
- Once no more stain is being lifted, thoroughly flush the area with water.
- Launder immediately.
Household Surfaces
Follow these steps to remove shoe polish stains from household surfaces like 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, and Vinyl Wallcovering:
- Clean the surface with a cloth or sponge soaked in warm soapy water, adding a few drops of ammonia.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Dry the surface with a clean towel.
Alabaster and Marble
Follow these steps to remove shoe polish stains from Alabaster and Marble surfaces:
- Gently wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water, adding a few drops of ammonia.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.
If the stain remains:
- Create a poultice by mixing water, bleach, and powdered detergent.
- Apply the poultice to the stain and allow it to sit until the oil and stain have been absorbed and bleached out.
- Rinse with clean water and wipe the area dry.
Carpet
Follow these steps to remove shoe polish stains from Synthetic Carpet and Wool Carpet:
- Use a dull tool to gently scrape away any excess stain material.
- Apply a concentrated carpet shampoo solution or a spot remover directly to the stain and sponge the area.
- Continue sponging, rinsing the sponge or cloth in clean water as it picks up the stain.
- Repeat until no more stain is removed.
Cork, Linoleum and Vinyl Tile
Follow these steps to remove shoe polish stains from Cork, Linoleum, and Vinyl Tile surfaces:
- Place a compress soaked in rubbing alcohol over the stain.
- Let the compress sit for 5 minutes.
- Wipe the area with a cloth dampened with ammonia (avoid ammonia on linoleum or vinyl tiles).
- Rinse the area well and allow it to dry.
Felt, Fur, Leather, and Suede
Due to the dyes in shoe polish, these stains require professional cleaning to be properly removed.
Grout
Follow these steps to eliminate shoe polish stains from Grout:
- Gently wipe the stained area with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water.
If the stain persists:
- Moisten a toothbrush with water and dip it into some baking soda or a powdered cleaner.
- Gently scrub the stained area.
- Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, and Spandex
To remove shoe polish stains from Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, and Spandex, follow these steps:
- Immediately sponge the stain with suds made from dish soap.
- Sprinkle lemon juice and salt onto the area and let it sit for an hour.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and launder right away.
- Repeat the process if needed.
Wallpaper
To remove shoe polish stains from Wallpaper, follow these steps:
Important: This type of stain may permanently discolor the paper.
- Gently rub the stained area with a cloth moistened with water and lightly dusted with baking soda.
- Wipe the spot with a cloth dampened with cool, clear water.
- Take care not to let the moisture spread or run beyond the stained area.
- Use overlapping strokes to avoid leaving streaks.
- Pat dry with a fresh, clean cloth.
Wood
To remove shoe polish stains from Wood, follow these steps:
- Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water with a few drops of ammonia to gently wipe the stain.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with a cloth dampened with clear water, then dry it off.
- Restore the shine by polishing or waxing the wood as you normally would.
