How to Remove Jean Stains from Shoes

Co-authored by Moe Draper

Last Updated: November 13, 2021 References

Have you ever bought a new pair of denim jeans only to find by the end of your evening the indigo dye has turned your white tennis shoes into a tie-dye disaster? Don’t ditch your kicks just yet! There are easy home remedies that can remove the indigo dye and restore your favorite pair of shoes. As with other stains, it is critical to take action promptly to ensure full removal of the stain.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Cleaning with Dish Soap

1
Apply a drop of dish soap to the affected area. The soap you choose does not have to be anything fancy. It can be as simple as the trusted soap you have sitting next to your kitchen sink. Apply a few drops directly on the stain.^{[1]
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2
Massage the stain thoroughly. Using a clean rag or cloth massage the dish soap into the stained area. You want to make sure that you are allowing the soap to treat the affected area completely.
- For a deeper treatment consider using a sponge and only the tip of the cloth.^{[2]
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3
Rinse the area with warm water. After the stain has been treated, rinse the area with warm water.^{[3]
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Research source} Make sure to get all of the soap out of the fabric to ensure a clean result.^{[4]
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4
Repeat this process for those tough-to-remove stains. For tougher stains, you may need to repeat the steps above a few times.^{[5]
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Research source} Even if your stain was removed on the first try, it would not be a bad idea to re-treat the area to guarantee all of the dye is out of your shoe.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making a Baking Soda Paste

1
Make a baking soda paste. To make a paste, simply add between 2 and 4 spoonfuls of baking soda to a few tablespoons of warm water.^{[6]
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Research source} Stir the mixture until a thick paste forms.
- If the paste does not thicken, add another spoonful of baking soda until you get your desired consistency.
- For lighter stains a paste may not be necessary. Adding 2 spoonfuls of baking soda to a small cup of warm water and applying with a clean rag, will do the trick.^{[7]
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2
Apply a good heap of paste to the stain. Apply the baking soda paste directly to the stained area. You can use a clean rag or simply your finger for application.^{[8]
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Research source} Make sure the stain is fully covered by the paste to get the best results.
3
Give the baking soda time to work. The baking soda paste needs time to treat the stain and get all of the unwanted color out of the area. Leave the paste to treat the stain for at least an hour.^{[9]
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- Letting the baking soda solution sit longer will not cause any damage to the fabric of your shoes and will ensure the removal of the entire stain.^{[10]
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4
Wipe off the paste with a clean rag or towel. Once you have let the baking soda do its job, it is time to remove it. Take the corner of a clean cloth and wipe the paste away.^{[11]
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- If the paste does not remove easily add a few drops of warm water to the cloth and wipe the area again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Applying a Natural Stain Remover

1
Look for a product with natural ingredients. Trying to find a stain remover can be daunting. Switching to a stain remover with ingredients such as coconut oil, beeswax and lanolin will not only clean your shoes, but reduce any harm that may come from synthetic materials.^{[12]
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- These non-toxic cleaners will also protect your shoes from penetration from liquids.^{[13]
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- They are also safe to use on leather and suede.^{[14]
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Follow the directions on the label of the product. Most will have clear, concise directions for how to use their products. Make sure to follow these directions exactly as they are written. Doing this will eliminate possible inconsistencies with results.
3
Give the product around 15 minutes to work. Even the store-bought stain removers will require a minimum of 15 minutes of soaking time.^{[15]
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Research source} The more time the remover can be allowed to sit and do its job, the better chance you have of eliminating all of the indigo dye from your shoes.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using an Alcohol-Based Product

1
Grab an alcohol-based product sitting around your home. There are many products you can try here, such as rubbing alcohol, hand-sanitizer and hairspray.^{[16]
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Research source} You will want to look for something that is ethanol based.^{[17]
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- Ethanol is low in toxicity and is used for many different things, including making a great solvent.^{[18]
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2
Use a rag or cotton ball to apply your chosen product. For this method, you will want to apply the alcohol-based product to a rag or cotton ball before applying it to your shoes.^{[19]
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- The goal here is not to drown your shoe but to apply a small amount to get the stain out.
3
Blot the stain away. Rather than massaging the alcohol-based product into the stained area, you are going to want to blot.^{[20]
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Research source} You will see the stain begin to fade as the indigo color moves from your shoe to the cotton ball or rag you are using.
- This may take a few attempts but the alcohol will ultimately attract the indigo dye out of your shoes.
4
Re-treat the area for tougher stains. Depending on the depth and size of your stain, you may need to repeat this process a few times.^{[21]
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Research source} Deeper stains can be harder to remove, but the more you repeat these steps, the more you will loosen up the jean stain.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you get stains out of suede?

Moe Draper
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
Moe Draper is a Shoe Care and Repair Specialist and the Owner of Detroit Shoe Shine and Shoe Repair. With over 20 years of personal experience, Moe specializes in shoe shining, cosmetic restorations for quality leather goods, and minor/major shoe repair services. Moe and his staff at Detroit Shoe Shine and Repair have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge.

Moe Draper

Shoe Care & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Stains on suede shoes can be removed by using a shoe brand cleaning product and a brush. Suede cleaning products are best suited to remove tough spots and stains. It is best to try to remove the stain ASAP to prevent discoloration in the original suede color. If the stain doesn't come out, you can always dye the suede a shade darker to cover the stain.
Question

How does baking soda remove stains from shoes?

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Baking soda is a mild solvent, which means it can cut through things like dirt and grease. It’s also a little bit abrasive, so it can help rub the stain away.
Question

How do you remove dye from shoes?

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For the best results, try to remove the stain as soon as possible. Cover the stained area with a stain removing laundry pretreatment and let it sit for a minute, then launder your stained shoes. You can also try rubbing the area with heavy-duty laundry detergent before washing your shoes. If the stain is still set in, try bleach (if it’s safe for your shoes) or dry-cleaning solvent.