How to Get Latex Paint Off the Nylon Tongue in Tennis Shoes

Wash paint from nylon shoes as quickly as possible.

Nylon shoes that become a casualty of your latest painting project can be saved with proper and prompt cleaning procedures. You might have difficulty removing the paint from the tongue of your tennis shoes, especially if it dried before you found it, but everyday household supplies will loosen and dissolve it eventually. Because latex paint is water-based, you should avoid the use of harsh solvents that could permanently damage your nylon shoes.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Metal-edged object
• Liquid dish detergent

Instructions

Wet Paint

1. Submerge the tongue of the shoe in cold water if the paint is still wet or gummy in consistency. Swish it around to pull excess paint from the fabric, and immediately rinse it under clean, running water.

2. Pour a dab of heavy-duty laundry detergent on the remaining paint. Rub the spot in circular motions with your fingers, adding cold water as needed to lather it up.

3. Rinse the detergent away with cold water. If paint remains, wash it again with detergent and cold water before allowing the tongue to dry.

Dried Paint

1. Scrape excess paint away from the tongue of the shoe with a metal-edged object, such as the serrated edge of a knife.

2. Place the backside of the tongue under a running faucet of warm water. This softens the paint and pushes it away from the fabric.

3. Dip a sponge in a mixture of equal parts warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent. Dabbing the sponge on the stain repeatedly with this solution will help dissolve it, according to "Good Housekeeping."

4. Rinse the soap away with warm water. If paint remains, wash it again until it dissolves.

References

• Iowa State University; Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal; Janis Stone
• "Good Housekeeping": How to Get Paint Out of Clothing