How to Lighten Satin Shoes

Satin-covered pumps are ideal for weddings and other special occasions.

Satin shoes are a fashion necessity for dressy occasions. While satin shoes are usually found in white, ivory or pastels, sometimes it's necessary to make them a shade or two lighter, either to match an outfit or to even out the coloration if the shoes are faded or worn. Whether the shoes are white or pastel colored, lightening them is an easy process that can be done at home, using a few staple items that you would normally keep on hand in your pantry. After you lighten the shoes, you can dye them another shade if you wish.

Things You'll Need

• Wide bucket or basin
• Rubber gloves
• Water
• Bleach
• White vinegar
• 2 white towels

Instructions

1. Place the shoes next to each other in a wide bucket or basin. Fill the bucket with room temperature water until the shoes are completely covered and the water level is a couple of inches above the shoes. Add an equal amount of bleach.

2. Put on a pair of rubber gloves to avoid skin contact with the bleach. Using a white cloth, rub the shoes gently in the bucket, then leave them to soak for 10 minutes.

3. Remove the shoes from the bucket, then rinse them thoroughly with water. Rinse the bucket to remove all traces of the bleach. Place the shoes in the bucket, and fill it with equal parts of water and vinegar until the shoes are completely covered; this stabilizes the bleaching. Using a second white cloth, rub the shoes gently until they're completely washed in the vinegar/water bath. If you're dyeing the shoes another color, apply the dye according to the packet instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• When dying shoes to match your dress, take into consideration what type of lighting will be used at the event. Natural sunlight will lighten the original primary colors in shoes no matter what color they’ve been dyed, so if white shoes have been dyed in an ivory shade, they will appear to be white.

• Always keep your dyed satin shoes from getting wet, as moisture can make the colors run. Don't try to lighten black or very dark shoes; the dye will not take. If the shoes need to be cleaned rather than completely lightened, use a commercial shoe cleaning product, as touch-up cleaning with bleach may cause uneven coloration in the shoes.

References

• Steps-To-Memories: Questions & Answers...Shoes
• WedAlert: Dyeable Bridal Shoes — Things to Consider