How to Strip Shoe Polish
There are a variety of reasons why you might need to strip the old polish off your shoes or boots. Perhaps there is a buildup or excess of product, or possibly something has been spilled or dropped on your shoe, causing the polish to flake and peel. Whatever the reason, there are a number of techniques from which you can choose to accomplish the task. The guideline below lists the most common materials and methods for removing shoe polish from footwear. Choose the one you find most appealing, or which can be accomplished with materials you already have on hand. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Shaving Cream
- Stiff bristled brush
- Paper towels
- Lighter fluid
- Cotton balls
- Mr. Clean Stain Eraser
- Hot water
- Rough cloth
- Rubbing alcohol
- Steel wool/SOS pads
- Saddle soap
- Damp cloth
Instructions
-
-
1
Coat the shoe or boot with a thick layer of shaving cream. Allow the cream to sit for approximately five minutes, then rub briskly with a stiff, bristled brush. Wipe the excess away with a paper towel.
-
2
Combine 1/8 cup lighter fluid with 1/8 cup water. Stir well and apply to boots or shoes with a cotton ball. Rub gently, using small circular motions. Starting at the heel, work your way gradually around the shoe, replacing the cotton balls as necessary. Alternatively, many people use acetone or mineral spirits in similar manner with good results.
-
-
3
Wipe the leather with a Mr. Clean Stain Eraser, but be careful! One or two passes will remove most of the polish. Anything more will take away the dye and might cause damage to the leather.
-
4
Boil 1 cup of water. Sponge the hot water over the surface of the shoe to melt the shoe polish and then vigorously rub the heated surface with a rough cloth until the desired results are achieved.
-
5
Dab rubbing alcohol across the shoe leather to chemically break down the polish. Scrub the surface with a steel wool or SOS pad and wipe dry to fully remove. Be careful, though, or you may scratch the leather in the process.
-
6
Coat your boots or shoes with saddle soap and then wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove. This method is popular, safe and effective. However, saddle soap is not always on hand when needed, and can be time consuming, as more than one application may be needed.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Apply a moisturizer or leather conditioner to the surface of your shoes or boots once the polish has been removed, as this will stop the leather from drying out and cracking.
If using a commercial shoe stripping product, always check the product, as some of these can actually do more harm than good to the surface you are trying to restore. When chemically stripping the polish from your shoes, be sure to work by an open window or in a well-ventilated area. If at any point you feel dizzy, nauseous, or unwell in any way, leave the room for 10 minutes and go outside for some fresh air.
Resources
- Photo Credit wikimedia commons
