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The look of leather shoes are a classic trend. However, due to wear and tear and accidental scuffing, they can get marked. That could greatly affect their appearance. So, unless you’re a cobbler, you’re probably wondering how to remove scuff marks from leather shoes. The good news is that you don’t have to be someone who mends and repairs shoes professionally.
You can use a scuff cover to easily cover up dark colored leather. For scratches, a leather healing balm could be better. Those are among the different ways to remove scuff marks from shoes with a little effort.
It is best to learn some tricks of the trade before getting started with how to get these marks out of your footwear. In this article, you’ll find some of the best tips for removing scuff marks from leather shoes, including simple home remedies.
How to Remove Scuff Marks from Leather Shoes
Method 1: Remove Scuff Marks from Shoes with a Scuff Cover
Scuff cover formula helps cover up scuffs on shoes and gives it an instant polish shine. It’s made especially for patent leather.
To use it, you must first remove the surface dirt with a clean cloth dampened with warm water. Then, point the sponge tip onto the scuff marks on the shoe. Apply it evenly as the liquid will flow through the sponge tip.
It’s often that easy to cover up scuff marks and get an instant shine. Once you’re done, rinse the sponge tip under warm water before capping it for storage.
Method 2: Remove Scuff Marks Using Baking Soda
If you have superficial scuff marks on your shoes, you can get rid of them with baking soda. It will act as a scrubbing agent and the water you mix it with will also help loosen up the dirt from the shoes. The process is quite simple:
Step 1
Place a bowl of warm water in a sink and add a few tablespoons of baking soda.
Step 2
Wet your shoes with some water and dip them into the mixture. Make sure you only dip the stained area rather than the entire shoe.
Step 3
Scrub the marks off with a leather shoe brush or sponge, using gentle, circular motions. It may take some time and effort.
Step 4
Rinse off all the baking soda residue with fresh water and dry your shoes with paper towels or cloths.
Method 3: Use a Pencil Eraser to Get Rid of Scuff Marks
If you have school-aged children, then you’ll likely be able to find an eraser in their school backpack. The common rubber erasers work for most shoe stains, including smaller scuff marks. This method can be used for patent leather, vinyl, and suede shoes.
Use it in the same way you would when erasing something on paper. Gently rub it against the affected area to remove scuff marks. Move the eraser back and forth or use circular motions to polish them away. Repeat this process until they disappear.
When you’re finished, you’ll most likely have to clean up the residue. This is especially true if you’re using a pink pencil eraser. To prevent this, try to use white ones wherever possible.
Method 4: Get Scuff Marks Out of Your Shoes with Leather Cleaner
Did you know that you can also remove scuff marks from leather shoes with special leather cleaner and conditioner? This solution works for leather and faux leather.
In addition to removing scuff marks, leather cleaners can do a good job of refreshing the look of old or worn leather. This method is popular because it’s one of the easiest (but still effective) ways to get rid of scuff marks. All you need to do is follow these 4 simple steps:
Step 1
First, take a wet cloth and rub it over the marks to remove any dirt. This will make this method more effective. Allow it to dry completely.
Step 2
Next, take a small amount of leather cleaners on a leather brush and rub it into the shoe. You can also apply it with a Q-tip if you’re working on a smaller spot.
Note: It’s recommended to test the cleaner on a small inconspicuous spot, first.
Step 3
Then try to remove the scuffs by polishing them gently with the brush in a circular motion. You may have to reapply it two or more times for best results.
Step 4
Once you’ve scrubbed the leather cleaner on the affected area, wipe it off and let your shoes dry for a few minutes before wearing them again.
Extra tip: Add enough of the lotion onto the leather brush so that rubbing it onto the shoes will be easier.
Method 5: Use Petroleum Jelly to Remove Scuff Marks
Petroleum jelly is a blend of waxes and mineral oil. This jelly-like compound is usually used to reduce diaper rash in newborns or to treat cracked lips. Aside from that, it can also heal little scrapes and marks on leather footwear.
Take a cotton ball or a dry, clean cloth. After dipping it in petroleum, use circular motions to apply this solution on the scuff marks and then scrub the surface thoroughly.
Don’t remove jelly from the leather surface as soon as you’re finished. Once the scuff is gone, let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Then grab a moist, clean cloth and wipe away the excess.
Method 6: How to Remove Scuff Marks from Leather Shoes with Nail Polish Remover
Scuff marks can ruin the look of your leather shoes. Nail polish is a powerful solvent that can help remove a variety of marks from footwear. Just be sure to try an inconspicuous small spot first to see if it works well with your shoes.
Step 1
Clean off any dirt or debris on your shoe with a damp cloth or brush.
Step 2
Once it’s clean and dry, pour some nail polish remover onto a cotton ball and apply it to leather. Use small, circular motions to gently work out the marks.
Step 3
When you’re done, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any leftover residue and odor. Leave to dry and they’ll be ready to wear.
FAQs
How Do You Remove Scuff Marks from Patent and Black Leather Shoes?
The way to get scuffs out of patent leather shoes, as well as black leather shoes and boots, is similar. For patent leather, you can use a scuff cover. Some household methods such as erasers, nail polish removers, and toothpaste can work on different types of scuff marks. In addition to these solutions, you can use black shoe polish for dark footwear.
Can I Remove Huge Black Stains from Beige Shoes?
You can try to cover up with a matching beige colored leather paint. This will work for some types of black stains. However, the challenge here is to get the beige color that matches the pair of shoes.
If you can’t find leather paint that matches, you can try removing the stain with one of the methods discussed in this article. Unfortunately, if those don’t work then you’ll probably have to buy a new pair of shoes. While you may try to cover these stains with special nail polish for beige footwear, this can be still be quite noticeable.
Takeaway
That was how to remove scuff marks from leather shoes. While removing marks from footwear isn’t always easy, you can try to fix this problem yourself at home using these methods. Although you may need to seek out the help of an expert for high-quality leather shoes that you want to keep in tip-top condition.
How to Remove Water Stains from Leather – 7 Effective Methods to Try
How to Prevent Creases in Shoes – 7 Useful Tips
How to Clean White Leather Shoes – 3 Unique Methods
How to Clean Faux Leather – Follow These 6 Simple Steps
