Summer is a terrific time to get out in nature. And do things like a hike through the woods, play sports on a grassy field, hang out in the backyard, and do a million other things!
However, all that running around will leave grass stains on your shoes. Fortunately, all it takes is a simple vinegar and laundry detergent treatment to get your kicks looking brand new again!
Table of Contents
Simple Steps to Remove Grass Stains from Shoe
Make Sure Your Kitchen Sink is Clean
Thankfully, removing grass stains from your shoes isn’t quite as filthy as the action that originally stained your shoes! Even so, you’ll want to keep this process as clean as possible by doing it all over the sink.
Mix Vinegar With Water to Make a Solution
In a small bowl, pour one-third of a cup of white vinegar. Then, from the faucet, pour two a cup of warm water. Stir the solution with a toothbrush. Use white vinegar alone, as it is the safest and most effective cleaning product.
Using the Vinegar Solution, Scrub the Grass Stains Out
Scrub the stained regions of your shoes with the toothbrush dipped in the vinegar solution. Before moving on to the next shoe, concentrate on one specific area at a time. Rinsing the toothbrush in the sink in between. By dipping the toothbrush back into the solution regularly, you can keep the bristles of the toothbrush moist.
Don’t be afraid to scrub with a little elbow grease – as long as you’re using white vinegar, it won’t harm your shoes!
With the Washcloth, Wipe Your Shoes Clean
Wipe the cleaned portions of your shoes with the washcloth. The vinegar solution will be removed from the surface in this phase, leaving behind a pair of shoes that are already noticeably cleaner! In the sink, rinse the washcloth.
Repeat the procedure
Because we’re just halfway through the cleaning process, you don’t need to go crazy with the vinegar solution. However, you should be thorough because the vinegar will help the detergent clean your shoes more effectively.
For regular stains, repeat once; for deeper stains, repeat twice.
Washing with Laundry Detergent
Apply laundry detergent to your shoes using the washcloth. Pour a tiny amount of washing detergent onto the washcloth after finishing the pre-treatment. (If you’re using powder detergent, you’ll need to dissolve it in a small amount of water first.) Rub the washcloth over the full surface of your shoes. After all, you’re already getting rid of those grass stains, why not give them a makeover?
Any washing detergent will do, although one with bleach is preferable. You can also use a shoe cleaner that is specifically made for shoes.
Allow 15 minutes for the detergent to dry. In the sink, rinse your shoes. Set the faucet to a low-pressure, cold-water flow. Allow the detergent to flow off the surface by passing your shoes under the stream a few times; make sure you rotate your shoes under the faucet so you don’t miss any locations. Then, to dry, place your shoes in direct sunlight.
Finish your project and clean up your workspace. Fortunately, most of the stuff will have gone down the drain, but you can clean up any unclean surfaces with a washcloth. Wash the bowl and ring out your washcloth once the sink area is clean. Last but not least, return the materials.
Remove the vinegar and washing detergent from the equation. You don’t want to use the toothbrush for your teeth, so keep it alongside the rest of your cleaning tools.
Pre-Prevention for Shoes
Choose a stain repellent made specifically for your type of footwear. Apply a stain repellent to your white shoes before wearing them to keep them clean. Shake the bottle before applying a thin, even coat to the entire shoe. Repeat with the opposite shoe. If applicable, don’t forget to spray the soles and laces as well. Purchase a leather stain repellant if your shoes are made of leather or suede. Most stain repellents, such as Scotch Guard, will work if your shoes are constructed of canvas or mesh.
To protect your shoes from rain and snow, use a water repellent. You can use a water repellent after the stain repellent has dried fully to further preserve your shoes. Shake the can or bottle before spraying a thin, equal layer over the entire shoe. Repeat with the opposite shoe, allowing the substance to dry completely before wearing. You can skip this step if the stain repellent you used is also water repellent.
Every few weeks, repeat the process. The stain and water repellent will only last a few weeks after applying. If you want your shoes to be stain-free, reapply the repellants every few weeks.
3 Simple Ways to Get Grass Stains Out of White Shoes
1. Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is the first thing you should do to remove a grass stain from white sneakers. It works well on grass stains on clothes, so why should it be any different on shoes? Apply a small amount of bleach or another whitener to the stain using a laundry detergent. A soft toothbrush can be used to clean leather or suede shoes. Allow it to sit for around 15 minutes to lift the stain before rinsing the shoe with clean water.
2. Vinegar
If you don’t want to risk hurting your shoes by using bleach, vinegar is an excellent, safe, and natural alternative. Combine one-third cup white vinegar and two-thirds cup warm water in a mixing bowl. Using a soft, clean cloth, dab the stain with the mixture, then blot the stain with another clean cloth. You can do this as many times as you want as long as you remember to rinse the stain with water.
3. Dish Soap
Sometimes just using normal dish soap will be enough! Combine dish soap and warm water in the same proportions as the vinegar procedure. Work the solution into the stain with a soft bristles brush, and repeat as needed. After the stain has been removed, rinse the shoe with clean water and allow it to air dry.
Conclusion
So there you have it. If you want to remove grass stains from your shoes, there are several ways that you can do it. This blog was written to help you with ideas for how to remove grass stains from your shoes, and we hope that you found the information helpful!
If you are still having trouble getting a grass stain out of your shoes, please reach out to us at contact.shoesfame@gmail.com. We would love to help you out!