STAIN REMOVAL TECHNIQUES FOR SHOE POLISH STAINS
How to remove a Shoe Polish Stain from Carpets and Upholstery
IMPORTANT: Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings provided by the carpet manufacturer. Rugs and carpets with natural fibers and/or certain dyes may require special treatment. If in doubt contact a cleaning professional for advice/service.
When trying to clean a Shoe Polish stain out of carpets or upholstery it is important to pretest the products you will be using to make sure you don’t do further damage to the carpet you are cleaning. The best way to do this is to apply a small amount of the cleaner to a white cloth and hold it to an inconspicuous area of the carpet or upholstery for 30 – 60 seconds. If there is no colour transfer onto the cloth it should be safe to use on stain.
Do not saturate the Shoe Polish stain with cleaning compounds because some compounds will set the stain permanently into the carpet or upholstery. For the same reason don’t apply heat to the stain.
When trying to get a Shoe Polish stain out you should blot with a clean white cloth or paper towels. Blot from the outside edges towards the center of the stain. Do Not scrub or rub the stain vigorously because it is possible to damage or change the texture of the fabric permanently. Also you could make the stain go deeper into the carpet or upholstery and even if it appears to have been removed by this process it is possible it will reappear later. Removing a Shoe Polish stain as soon as you see it is very important. The longer it is in the carpet the harder it is to remove.
The longer a stain remains, the greater the odds are that it won't come out
As with many Shoe Polish stains, removing them can be difficult. It is important not to lose patience and repeat the steps if necessary. Also before applying any liquid cleaners gently scrape away any solid or semi-solid material with a blunt spatula or spoon taking care not to damage the fabric.
Follow these simple steps for removing a SHOE POLISH STAIN
Immediately blot up as much of the Shoe Polish stain as possible using a soft, white, absorbent material like a towel or napkin.
Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalis or bleaches) with a cup of luke-warm water. Blot.
Neutralize with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent (substitute isopropyl rubbing alcohol if necessary). Blot. (Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizings, backings or stuffing materials. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride). Apply dry-cleaning solvent using a spray bottle and blot to remove excess moisture.
Repeat step one with the neutral detergent to remove any stain that might still appear to be in the carpet or upholstery.
Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture. Apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary.
Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.