Shoe polish stains are near the top of the most common stain league, up there with stains like paint and spilt milk.
Have you spotted a shoe polish stain on your carpet while cleaning? Are you wondering how to get the stain out?
Shoe polishes are available in wax, cream, or liquid forms and no matter how careful you are polishing your shoes, some of them will get on your carpet.
Whether black or brown shoe polish, an untreated shoe polish stain can make your carpet unattractive to the eyes. Though it might seem difficult to deal with the shoe polish stain, there are simple ways to remove it.
Here are the best techniques to deal with shoe polish stains on your carpet
Removing Shoe Polish from Carpet Using Rubber Alcohol
When used properly, rubbing alcohol is a great liquid substance to remove shoe polish from the carpet. Here are simple steps to ensure you remove all the stains without damaging your carpet.
- First, scrape up the shoe polish stainwith a plastic spoon or butter knife. Be sure to have a paper towel or a clean cloth near you to deposit the polish. Don’t forget to wipe off the spoon or knife after each scrape to avoid reapplying the polish. Also, make sure you discard the paper towel or cloth carefully to avoid dropping it on the carpet again.
- After you are done scraping the shoe polish, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel or white cloth. Start carefully blotting the affected spot working from the outside towards the inwards. Continue to gently blot the stain while ensuring you use a clean section of the cloth until you longer see any polish on the cloth.
- Get another white cloth or paper towel, dip it into the water and gently press it on the affected area of the carpet several times.
- Next, use a dry white cloth to absorb the moisture
- That’s not all, add a small amount of liquid soap to a cup of lukewarm water. Dip your paper towel in the soapy solution and gently press the affected area while avoiding soaking the carpet pad.
- Finally, blot the area with a dry white cloth to remove the soap. Continue blotting the area until it is completely dry.
Removing Shoe Polish from Carpet with Nail Polish Remover
If you own a white or a light carpet, a nail polisher remover will be effective when removing fresh shoe polish stain from your carpet. Just ensure the bottle is labeled both non-acetone and dye-free to prevent it from altering the color of the carpet.
So, to remove the shoe polish from your carpet, here are the effortless steps to follow:
- Pour a non-acetone nail polish remover on a white cloth or paper towel
- Gently rub the affected area of the carpet with the soaked white cloth or paper towel making sure you stay clear of the unaffected area.
- Mix at least 2 cups of warm water with non-bleach liquid detergent and directly apply the mixture onto the stain using a white cloth.
- Next, wearing protective gloves mix a cup of water with s tablespoon of household ammonia.
- Dip a clean white cloth in the solution and continue blotting the affected area.
- Once done pressing the area, rinse with a lot of cold water and then blot it with a dry cloth.
- Leave it to air dry before vacuuming the area.
Removing Shoe Polish from Carpet with White Vinegar
Sometimes you may find yourself not having any rubbing alcohol or nail polisher remover. Nonetheless, if you have any vinegar, you can still remove the shoe polish stain from your carpet.
Here is how:
- The first step is mixing the vinegar with hot water in a spray bottle
- Spritz the mixture on the stained area several times and allow it to settle for 30 minutes.
- After the time is up, blot the stained area with a white dry clean cloth
- Don’t stop there but rinse the area thoroughly to prevent the vinegar from discoloring the carpet.
- Let the affected area air dry
Removing Stubborn Shoe Polish from Carpet with Hydrogen Peroxide
Some shoe polish stains are hard to remove but don’t worry as hydrogen peroxide will take care of that. Being a bleaching agent you just need to apply it carefully.
- First, mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with 3 cups of cold water
- Apply the solution to the stained area and cover the stain with a thick towel for 20 to 30 minutes to block any direct sunlight.
- Make sure to check after every 10 minutes to ensure the solution hasn’t lightened the carpet.
- Afterwards dab the affected area with a white cloth to remove the hydrogen peroxide.
- Finally, blot the area with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture then leave it to air dry.
Final Words
As you can see there are different techniques on how to remove shoe polish from your carpet. The trick is to follow the instructions carefully whichever method you choose to remove the shoe polish stain.
Don’t forget if it comes to any bleach products like hydroxide peroxide and ammonia you need to protect your hands by wearing gloves at all times. Also, always use the recommended amount to avoid damaging your carpet.
Remember to always test these remedies on a hidden spot of the carpet before applying to the affected area.
In case the shoe polish doesn’t completely come out of your carpet, use a professional carpet cleaning service to deal with the stain.