Archived Thread

NFT: Dress Shoes: getting out an oil stain

UConn4523 : 7/23/2014 12:03 pm

So grease from a lunch tray just dripped on my brown dress shoes which is pretty much brand new. Not happy right now. Any ideas how to get it out?

Google searches pretty much say baby powder, talcum powder, etc. But I don't have any of that, nor the ability to get it until much later in the day.

Any ideas?

Try vinegar, then try baking soda

SB : 7/23/2014 12:16 pm : link

but the the fix might be worse than the stain if it changes the color. If all else fails you can try industrial solvents like mineral spirits, xylene of highly concentrated isopropal alchohol (like over 90%).

Go to the men's room and check your pants, shirt & tie

Marty in Albany : 7/23/2014 12:24 pm : link

someone at my office said

UConn4523 : 7/23/2014 12:36 pm : link

mixing baking soda with a little water to make a paste and let it dry should do the trick. Guess i'll try it when I get home.

If you can't get it out

steve in ky : 7/23/2014 12:38 pm : link

You might try staining the entire shoe darker.

Not much of an answer, but hit a shoe-shine place

jcn56 : 7/23/2014 12:40 pm : link

Last time that happened to me it was just before an interview. Hopped into a shoe shine place down on Wall and they cleaned it up for me (and got a quick shine) in no time.

lighter fluid

gtt350 : 7/23/2014 1:27 pm : link

don't use vinegar