How To Remove Stains From Fabric Shoes: Including Paint, Mud, Oil, Grease, & Grass Stains

Removing stains from fabric shoes can be tough.

Before you start cleaning your stained fabric shoes you should know the precautions to take to protect the fabric from damage. You should also know which products to use to get rid of a particular stain.

In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about removing stains from fabric shoes. We will cover paint stains, mud stains, oil & grease stains, and grass stains. 

Do’s And Don’ts

1. Be careful when scrubbing the fabric of your shoes. Scrubbing too hard can cause the fabric to wear down and eventually tear. 
2. Let your shoes air dry in a cool environment away from sunlight. Exposing them to direct sunlight can cause the fabric to discolor.
3. When drying your shoes, stuff them with clean rags or paper towels. This will help absorb moisture and keep the shoes from losing shape. 

Preparation

1. Step-1 Unlace your shoes. Wash your laces using liquid detergent. Then rinse off all the soap residue thoroughly under cold running water.
2. Step-2 Remove the insoles. Wash them separately using a liquid dish detergent and a scrub brush. This will help remove surface dirt, sweat, or other build-ups that can lead to odors.
3. Step-3 Remove any excess dirt from the surface of your shoes using a horsehair brush. Wipe down the shoes with a damp, soft cloth. This will remove any loose dust or excess dirt stuck on the uppers.

Method 1: How To Remove Paint & Wax Stains

Materials Required:

• A clean cloth
• An old toothbrush
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Nail paint remover
• Cotton ball
• Mesh laundry bag

Process:

1. Step-1 Dunk a clean cloth in water and wring it out. Use this cloth to wipe away wet paint from your shoes.
2. Step-2 Place the shoes under warm water. It will help rinse away any leftover paint.
3. Step-3 If there is paint on your midsoles as well, use an old toothbrush to brush it away.
4. Step-4 Mix one part dish soap and one part warm water to form a solution. Moisten a sponge or cloth in the soapy solution and wring out the excess water. Now gently scrub over the paint stain. Repeat the procedure until most of the stain is gone.
5. Step-5 Pour a small amount of nail paint remover onto the cotton ball. Then, gently blot the stained area of the shoe until all the paint comes off. Rinse the shoes under warm water.
6. Step-6 Now place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag. Put the bag in the washing machine. Wash the shoes with cold water on a delicate cycle.
7. Step-7 Allow the shoes to air dry.

When it comes to removing paint, acetone is one of the most powerful solvents available. It can quickly and easily remove both oil-based and latex-based paint stains. 

In most nail polish removers, the primary active ingredient is acetone. As a result, it can be used to remove uncured paint stains from your fabric shoes.

In addition to its paint-dissolving properties, acetone is also effective at dissolving dirt, grease, and wax. This makes it an ideal choice for cleaning up various dirt stains. This method works great on canvas shoes.

Don’t try this method on leather to suede shoes.

Method 2: How To Remove Mud Stains

Materials Required:

• Mild laundry detergent – OxiClean
• Hot water
• A clean cloth
• Mesh laundry bag

Process:

1. Step-1 Start by dampening a clean cloth with water. Then, scrub the stained area of the fabric using the cloth. Try to remove as much mud as you can.
2. Step-2 Once you are done scrubbing, fill a bucket with hot water. Add two tablespoons of laundry detergent into the water and mix it well to form a cleaning solution. Submerge your mud-stained shoes in the solution and ensure they are submerged well. Let them soak for at least 4 to 5 hours.
3. Step-3: Place your shoes in a mesh laundry bag and tie the bag closed. Put the laundry bag in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Use cold water to wash your shoes.
4. Step-4 Once they are out of the washer, allow them to air dry.

The detergent helps lift up the mud stains gently without damaging the fabric of your shoes. This method works well on canvas shoes and nylon mesh shoes.

Don’t try this method on synthetic leather, suede shoes, or PVC shoes, as hot water can damage such materials.

Method 3: How To Remove Oil & Grease Stains

Materials Required:

• Baby powder – Johnson’s Baby Powder
• A toothbrush
• Dish soap
• Hot water
• A clean cloth

Process:

1. Step-1 Sprinkle some baby powder on the oil stain. Just make sure you cover the stain completely. Allow the powder to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The powder acts as an absorbent. It will help soak up the oil from the fabric of your shoes.
2. Step-2 Use a toothbrush to brush away the powder. Don’t rub the powder into the shoe; it will put the oil back into the fabric.
3. Step-3 If the oil stain is old or stubborn, the powder might not be sufficient. In this case, wet a cloth with hot water and apply a drop of dish soap. Gently rub at the stain until it lightens or disappears. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get rid of all the oil. 
4. Step-4 Allow your shoes to air dry.

Baby powder is one of the best ways to remove oil stains from shoes. It’s gentle enough that it won’t cause damage to any fabric, including synthetic leather, nylon mesh, canvas shoes, etc.

So next time you’re dealing with a pesky oil or grease stain, reach for the baby powder.

Method 4: How To Remove Grass Stains

Materials Required:

• Baking soda – the one you use in your kitchen. Ex. – Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
• White vinegar – the one available in your kitchen
• Dish soap – Dawn Dish Soap
• Warm water
• A toothbrush

Process:

1. Step-1 Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Mix well to form a thick paste. Be sure to mix the paste thoroughly so that no lumps are formed. Use a toothbrush to spread this paste over any grass stains on the fabric of your shoes.
2. Step-2 Mix half a cup of warm water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and a dab of dish soap in a separate bowl. Stir it well to form a cleaning solution.
3. Step-3 Dip a toothbrush into the solution and gently remove the grass stains. 
4. Step-4 Rinse your shoes with warm water and leave them to air dry.

The baking soda will help lift the wet stains, while the vinegar and dish soap will break down the stain and remove it. This method removes grass stains from fabrics like canvas, PVC, etc.

Tips

• It is important to treat a stain as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to remove.
• Always test your cleaning solution/paste on an inconspicuous area of the shoe. This will ensure that the solution won’t damage the fabric.
• Be sure to read the care label on your shoes before attempting to remove any stains. Some fabrics may be delicate and require special care.

FAQs

How do you get tough stains out of fabric shoes?

Tough stains can be really pesky and seem like they’re impossible to remove.

Blood, marker, and red wine are some of the toughest stains to get out of fabric shoes. There’s an easy hack to remove a tough stain that only requires a few household ingredients.

All you need is 1 tablespoon of white toothpaste, baking soda, and warm water. Mix these ingredients together until they form a paste.

Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste onto the stained area. You should start to see the stain coming up. Once satisfied with the results, wipe your shoes with a clean damp cloth.

Let your shoes dry completely before wearing them again.

Conclusion

So now that you know how to remove different types of stains from your fabric shoes, it’s time to put this knowledge into practice. With a bit of care and effort, you can keep your fabric shoes looking their best for years to come.

As always, we love hearing from our readers, so if you have any questions or additional tips on how to remove shoe stains, be sure to leave a comment below.