By the odds, the solution lies in some regular substances like vinegar, dish soaps, laundry detergent, etc. There’s nothing more relaxing than playing around in nature on a shiny bright day and wandering in your favorite pair of shoes. With all the interesting outdoor activities, one thing is imminent that is grass stains. Sounds frustrating, doesn’t it? Let’s tackle it.
How to Get Grass Stains Out of White Shoes?
Grass stains are usually caused by chlorophyll in plants. Other proteins and organic matter of grass also combine to create this pretty difficult stain. These stains are particularly a disaster to parents as children become the biggest victim of them.
Getting grass stains out of white shoes may take some time but the result is worth it. Some popular ways are listed below.
Vinegar
It’s agreed by all that vinegar works as the best pre-treater of stains. Also, for smaller stains, vinegar alone may do the total cleaning work. Remember by vinegar we mean white distilled vinegar which is a safe yet powerful cleaner. Here are the steps to remove stains by applying vinegar.
Step 1: Create a Solution
It’s preferable to use vinegar and water solution to clean the shoes over direct vinegar. Take a bowl and create the mixture. Add one-third cup white vinegar to two-third cup warm water.
Step 2: Scrub the Shoe
In this step, you can use several things to scrub the stains. You can spray the solution or pour a little bit of it at first and you can use a washcloth or a toothbrush to scrub it. However, we’ll suggest using a toothbrush.
Submerge the toothbrush into the solution and then use it to scrub the polluted areas. Move your toothbrush back and forth. If you use a soft cloth instead of the toothbrush, move that piece of cloth the same way as well to get rid of the stains.
Step 3: Blot the Stain
Now take a piece of clean cloth and wipe off the area you’ve just scrubbed. This will take off the applied solution and also blot the strains. After that repeat step 3 and this step again until the shoes shine.
If your shoes are full of grass stains and vinegar doesn’t help in removing them properly, you should move on using another substance. Follow the above steps as pre-treatment and add some more steps to clear out the faded stains.
Step 4: Use Laundry Detergent
You can use any laundry detergent but the one with bleach in it is preferable. Pour some of the detergents into the washcloth. If you want to use powder detergent, mix it with some water first. Now rub the cloth over the stained surface of your shoes. Then leave the shoes with detergent on them for 15 minutes and let them dry.
Step 5: Wash the Shoes
You can use a bucket full of water in this step or can just wash the shoes under the sink. Rinse your shoes fully in cold water to wash off the detergent. Rotate your shoes so that you don’t leave a spot. Then keep your shoes in direct sunlight and let them dry.
Laundry Detergent
The use of laundry detergent is mentioned in the previous section. But we used vinegar as a pre-treater there. That is the best and safest way to get rid of stains. However, you can use laundry detergent alone to remove the stains as well since it’s very powerful. Just follow the step 4 and step 5 mentioned above. You can use a toothbrush instead of a washcloth.
Dish Soap
Yes, you can also use dish soaps to get stains out of your shoes. The steps are quite similar.
Step 1: Create A Mixture
Take a bowl and fill it with warm water. Mix one-third cup of dish soap in it.
Step 2: Clean the Shoes
Take a soft brush or a soft cloth. Submerge it into the solution and rub the shoes the same way mentioned with the vinegar. Blot the stains with a wet clean cloth and let the shoes dry in direct sunlight.
Other than these regular items, there are some chemicals and cleaners available in the market to clean shoes. A few of them are mentioned below.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohols are a popular item for removing stains and dirt. Here are the steps of using this alcohol for the needed removal.
Step 1: Apply the Alcohol
Cloths or toothbrushes are not ideal to apply alcohol. Sponges or cotton balls are suggested for this as alcohol can be harmful. For safer use, you can use a spray bottle as well. Now apply the alcohol evenly saturating the full stained area.
Step 2: Rinse the Area
After applying alcohol, rinse the stained area under a sink or with a bucket full of water to wash off the stains and applied alcohol. If the strains are only faded out and not properly gone, continue the steps.
Step 3: Use Additional Item
Now use dish soap or a laundry detergent. Take a little bit of it in a clean cloth and work into the same stained area. Rinse the shoes again. Repeat the steps until the stains are fully gone. Let the shoes dry.
Step 4: Wash the Shoes
After the shoes are dry, wash them again. You can put them in the washing machine as well. This will provide the best result.
Bleach And Peroxide Solution
This solution is not suggested for colored shoes. As we are discussing the steps to remove stains from white shoes, this solution can be used. It is very powerful and not friendly at all. It can harm the fibers of your shoes. Thus if none of the above items work, only then use this solution.
Step 1: Prepare The Solution
Take a bowl. Put ¼ cup of bleach, ¼ cup of peroxide, and a ¾-1 cup of water. Mix them together.
Step 2: Apply on the Shoes
Use a spray bottle or a sponge to apply it. Cover the entire stain. Let the mixture sit on the area for 30 minutes or a full night.
Step 3: Rinse the Shoes
Rinse the shoes with cold water. If the stains are still visible, repeat the steps. Then wash them like normal by hand or in the washing machine. Let them dry.
Stain Remover Items
You will find some more stain remover products outside. The steps of using them are similar. Every product usually comes with a written description on it about how to use them. Read that before using. You can use them directly to stains. Wait for the noted amount of time. Then, wash the shoes with warm water as prescribed on the label.
Instant Removal
https://youtu.be/mc1FVymmFXg (From 7.25 till end)
If you are not in the position where you can wash the shoes or want a complete solution to the stain problem without wetting them at all, there’s a way for it as well. Quick N Brite cleaner is there for the rescue. You can use this product to get rid of the stains right away.
Step 1: Spray the Solution
Usually, the product comes in a spray bottle and the package includes a small rubbing brush as well. Spray the solution in the stained areas of the shoes.
Step 2: Rub the Shoes
Take the small brush or any toothbrush and start rubbing the areas.
Step 3: Wipe the Shoes
Now take a soft clean cloth. Wipe the solutions and the stained areas. You’ll see stains transferring from the shoes to the cloth. Your shoes are ready to go.
Look Out the Material
Each method is not suitable for all types of shoes. For example, the method of cleaning velvet shoes is not as same as the method of cleaning suede shoes. Before using the substances, check on the material of your shoes.
Leather Shoes
For leather shoes, the mixture of vinegar and water is very useful. Follow the steps of using vinegar to clean your leather shoes. After pre-treatment, it’s recommended to wipe off your shoes with a cloth soaked in baking soda. Repeat the process until all the stains are gone.
Patent Latent Shoes
For patent latent shoes, nothing but rubbing petroleum jelly with cotton gauze is recommended. After that, you can put on some grass cleaner to provide shine.
Fabric Shoes
You can use detergent or dish wash with water to clean these shoes. The process is the same as mentioned in the sections. However, you have to keep in mind that it’s better not to wash them in the washing machine. Don’t rinse them fully in cold water.
After applying the solution, rub it gently with a brush and wipe the whole area with a wet towel. Depending on the amount of solution you used on the shoes, you may need lots of towels.
Canvas Shoes
Combine one tablespoon of white vinegar with one tablespoon of baking soda and mix them with one tablespoon of warm water. Submerge a brush into the solution and scrub the stained canvas areas of the shoes. Then wipe the surface with a clean towel. Your white canvas shoes are all set.
FAQ
Q: Can I use toothpaste to remove stains from my white shoes?
Ans: Yes, you can use toothpaste to cover the stains. It may not clean the stains properly, but if you’re in a hurry and you have little stains on your shoes, toothpaste can do a great trick. Just take a pinch of toothpaste and rub it directly on the stained areas.
Q: What should I do if my shoes turn yellow after drying?
Ans: When you let your white shoes dry in direct sunlight, they discharge a chemical texture for oxidation that turns them yellow. To prevent this, use some lead powder after washing the shoes and cover them with white tissues. After drying off they’ll return in a new look.
Conclusion
Every person who has white shoes has faced grass stain issues more or less. Even a small stain can ruin the complete look of your shoes. So, it’s recommended to clean your shoes regularly so that the stains don’t get permanent and heavy. Hopefully, this article will help you to get rid of the frustration and preserve the shine of your white shoes.
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