How to Get Paint Off Shoes: A Complete Guide

If you have ever accidentally spilt paint on your shoes, you know how frustrating and annoying it can be. Paint stains can ruin the appearance and value of your shoes, especially if they are made of delicate or expensive materials. However, don’t despair! There are ways to get paint off shoes, depending on the type of paint and the type of shoe. In this thorough guide, I will show you how to remove shoe paint from different kinds of shoes, using simple and effective methods.

How to Get Paint Off Leather Shoes

Leather shoes are durable and stylish, but they can also be easily stained by paint. If you have paint on your leather shoes, here are the steps to follow:

Blot any wet paint off the leather with a clean cloth and a cotton swab. Press a clean cloth lightly on top of the paint, so you don’t rub it into the leather. Dab and pick up as much paint as you can without physically rubbing your shoes. Then, roll a clean swab on top of the area, which will pick up any leftover paint.
Brush off dried-on paint with a scraping knife. Place the edge of your scraping knife on top of the dried-on paint. With light, gentle motions, scrape off as much of the paint as you can. Keep your blade centred on the actual paint instead of the leather, so you don’t scratch your shoes in the process.
Dab the area with an oil-soaked cotton swab. Dip a clean cotton swab into some olive oil and start spreading it around the paint stain. Guide the swab in small circles around the paint.3 If the paint is dried on, it will start loosening once you rub it with a cotton swab. You can also use jojoba or coconut oil for this purpose.
Let the oil sit for a few minutes. Set a timer for 15 minutes or so, which gives the oil time to soak into your acrylic paint spot and loosen it up.
Scrape off the leftover dried paint. Grab a dull knife and work away the leftover paint, using smooth, gentle motions as you go. If the paint feels soft enough, you can scrape it off with a fingernail.
Wipe the leather with a moist cloth. Soak a cloth in tap water so it’s slightly damp. Then, rub over the leather to get rid of any leftover oil still stuck to the surface.
Let your leather shoes air-dry. Find a spot in your home where there’s plenty of open-air moving around. Then, keep your shoes there for a few hours, or until they’re dry to the touch. Don’t place your leather near a heating vent—this could dry out the material.

How to Get Paint Off Canvas Shoes

Canvas shoes are comfortable and casual, but they can also be easily stained by paint. If you have paint on your canvas shoes, here are the steps to follow:

Get rid of wet paint by scraping and rinsing. Grab a blunt knife and gently guide the paint off your shoe before it dries. Then, rinse off your shoe with water to get rid of any leftover paint that you weren’t quite able to scrape off. This method works with just about any surface, whether it’s floors, chairs, shirts, or shoes.
Apply rubbing alcohol to dried-on paint. Pour some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or cloth and dab it onto the dried-on paint stain. The alcohol will help dissolve and loosen the paint from the fabric.
Scrub with an old toothbrush or nail brush. Use an old toothbrush or nail brush to scrub away the remaining paint from your canvas shoe. Apply some pressure and work in circular motions until all the paint is gone.
Wash your canvas shoes in cold water with mild detergent. After removing all the paint from your canvas shoe, wash it in cold water with mild detergent to get rid of any residue or dirt. You can either hand wash or machine wash your canvas shoe, depending on your preference.
Let your canvas shoes air-dry. Place your canvas shoes in a well-ventilated area and let them air-dry completely before wearing them again. Don’t use a dryer or direct heat source.

How to Get Paint Off Suede Shoes

Suede shoes are soft and elegant, but they can also be easily stained by paint. If you have paint on your suede shoes, here are the steps to follow:

Brush off the excess paint. Use a coarse brush or toothbrush to flake off the dried excess paint. For smaller stains, you may be able to pick off dried chunks with your fingernail. Removing the dried top layer will allow you greater access to the set-in stain underneath.
Apply white vinegar or nail polish remover to the stain. Soak a cotton ball or cloth in white vinegar or nail polish remover and dab it onto the paint stain. The vinegar or nail polish remover will help dissolve and loosen the paint from the suede.
Blot with a clean cloth. Use a clean cloth to blot away the vinegar or nail polish remover and the paint from the suede. Repeat this process until no more paint comes off.
Rub with a suede eraser or a pencil eraser. Use a suede eraser or a pencil eraser to rub away any remaining paint from the suede. This will also help restore the nap of the suede.
Brush with a suede brush. Use a suede brush to gently brush the suede in one direction to smooth out the fibres and remove any dirt or dust.
Let your suede shoes air-dry. Place your suede shoes in a well-ventilated area and let them air-dry completely before wearing them again. Don’t use a dryer or direct heat source, as this can damage the suede.

Final Say

Paint stains can be a nightmare for shoe lovers, but they don’t have to ruin your shoes forever. With some patience and some household items, you can get paint-off shoes made of leather, canvas, or suede. The key is to act quickly and use the right method for each type of shoe. I hope this guide has helped you learn how to get paint off shoes. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading!