Scratches on shoes are certainly very annoying. The more scratches, the worse the shoe looks to the point where you might even think about throwing it away. In fact, there are many effective ways to clean shoes and maintain their appearance for years to come. Some methods use home products, while others require special shoe products. When you're done cleaning your shoes, take precautions to make sure your shoes stay clean and look new.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Home Products
Step 1. Determine the shoe material
Before doing anything, you should make sure the product you are using is safe for your shoe material. Leather, suede, canvas, or synthetic shoes require different care, especially if you use harsher cleaning products. You can easily tell the difference between soft suede, leather, and canvas. However, when in doubt, check the shoe box, browse the internet for similar shoes, or ask a shoe store clerk about this.
Step 2. Use toothpaste
You can use toothpaste to clean scratches on leather shoes, patent leather, synthetic leather, or rubber shoes. Rub toothpaste with a toothbrush into the scratches on the shoes. Add a little water to make the toothpaste foam, then continue scrubbing the scratch in a circular motion. Rinse or wipe off the remaining toothpaste, then dry the shoes.
Step 3. Use a nail polish remover
For genuine/synthetic/patent leather shoes, as well as rubber boots, use a cotton ball and nail polish remover. Be sure to use a non-acetone nail polish remover as acetone can damage your shoes. Pour nail polish remover into a small bowl then dip a cotton ball in it. Rub a slightly dampened cotton ball into the scratch until it's clean.
Step 4. Use baking soda
For canvas shoes or other fabric shoes, use baking soda. Prepare a toothbrush and two bowls. Pour a little baking soda into one bowl, and water into the other. Dip the toothbrush in a bowl of water and then in the baking soda. Next, use a toothbrush to scrub the scratches on the shoes. If there isn't much foam, re-wet the brush and pour the baking soda directly onto the scratched surface. Rinse or wipe off any remaining baking soda when you're done.
Step 5. Try using dish soap
For canvas shoes or other cloth shoes, use a small amount of dish soap. With a toothbrush or damp cloth, rub a small amount of dish soap onto the scratched surface. Continue scrubbing until the scratch disappears, then rinse and wipe off any remaining dish soap suds.
Step 6. Rub the pencil eraser onto the scratched surface
This method can be used for any shoe, but it is perfect for suede shoes. Suede shoes can be very difficult to clean, but a pencil eraser will help remove scratches. Rub the pencil eraser over the scratched surface, making sure not to damage the fabric. Keep scrubbing gently until the dirt or scratches on the shoes are gone. Next, remove the rubber eraser debris from the shoe.
Method 2 of 3: Using Commercial Products
Step 1. Look for a shoe scratch remover product
Shoe stores often sell shoe-specific cleaning products. These products may be more effective than homemade ingredients because they are usually formulated specifically for shoes. Make sure to choose the right product for your shoes as using the wrong product can damage different materials.
- Purchase a special suede product for suede shoes. Suede shoes can be very difficult to maintain, but they are easy to scratch. Look for a special suede cleaning product that comes in a spray bottle. Use this product according to the instructions for use and clean the scratches on your shoes.
- Buy a shoe brush. There are many types of brushes for different shoes. Suede and leather shoe brushes designed to both brush and remove scratches from suede and leather shoes will give great results.
Step 2. Use a shoe cloth
Many shoe stores sell shoe wipes in small packs for quick cleaning and polishing of shoes. Some scratches and stains on shoes will be easier to clean if detected early. So, this wipe can be a powerful way to get rid of both quickly. Make sure to buy the right wipe for the material of your shoe.
Step 3. Polish with shoe polish
For leather shoes, the use of shoe polish with the right color can help restore the condition of the leather while fading scratches. Use a soft cloth to apply a small amount of shoe polish to the entire surface of the shoe. Pay close attention to the location of the scratches so you can apply a little extra polish there.
Step 4. Use the Magic Eraser
The Magic Eraser is generally used to remove stains and scratches from household appliances, but it can also be used for shoes. Wet this product, then rub it into the scratched surface of the shoe, whether it is leather, suede, canvas, etc. Keep scrubbing until all the scratches on the shoe have been removed.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Scratches on Shoes
Step 1. Use a protective spray
Now that your shoes are scratch-free, there are steps you can take to prevent the same problem from recurring. Purchase a protective spray from your local shoe store or online. Be sure to purchase a spray that matches the material of your shoe. Spray this product all over the surface of the shoe according to the instructions for use. A spray like this will help prevent scratching and peeling of materials, shoes and keep your shoes looking new and fresh.
Step 2. Polish your leather shoes
If you don't use shoe polish to remove scratches from your shoes, you may need to polish them. Choose a color that matches your leather shoes and then apply the polish with a clean, lint-free cloth. Apply shoe polish to the entire surface of your shoe.
Step 3. Prepare special shoes for doing the dirty work
Scratches on shoes are sometimes unavoidable, but you can protect your favorite shoes by only wearing them in a clean and orderly place. The chances of your favorite leather shoes getting scratched are less if you only wear them to work, not to a concert or sporting event. Get a spare pair of shoes and put them on for going to places that might get dirty.
Tips
- The method in this article can be used to clean leather, suede, or other canvas items such as bags, wallets, or suitcases.
- Try several ways if just one doesn't work for you. If toothpaste doesn't work to get rid of the scratch, try a nail polish remover too. Just make sure to rinse your shoes between each of the different cleaning methods.
