10 Clever Methods for Removing Oil From Leather Shoes

Leather is a common material for shoes and boots, and many of us have a pair that we particularly like. They can get stained, and oil is one of the worst. Learn some simple techniques for removing oil from leather footwear.

When you first notice an oil or grease stain on your favorite pair of leather or suede boots, your initial reaction may be one of panic. However, contrary to popular belief, oil can be easily cleaned from leather. The most important thing is to act quickly and treat the stain with the appropriate cleaner.

Leather, being a natural material made from animal skins, cannot be washed and dried to remove stains like those caused by ink, salt, or water. This material is sturdy, but it needs to be cleaned carefully so it doesn't get damaged.

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Tips for Cleaning Oil Off Leather Shoes and Boots

Although you might be afraid of damaging your expensive leather furniture or patent leather shoes, cleaning leather boots is actually quite easy. We have compiled a number of methods for removing oil stains from leather footwear.

On-the-Go Leather Shoe Spot Cleaning

The best way to avoid a permanent oil stain on your shoes or boots is to treat it as soon as possible. Away from home, this isn't always an option, though. Learn some on-the-go stain removal techniques for oil stains on leather.

Shoes That Remove Stains

If you get an oil stain on your shoes, blot up as much of the grease as you can with a cloth, paper towel, or napkin. Apply pressure with the fabric squares to the stained area, and repeat as necessary to remove the oil from the leather surface.

Corn starch may seem like a reasonable option for cleaning leather shoes if you've ever used kitty litter to remove grease from the garage floor. Cornstarch can be used to clean oil stains from leather boots; here's how.

Set the powdery shoe down on a sheet of newspaper. Cornstarch can be used to remove oil stains from leather. Grease stains on leather shoes are easiest to remove when treated with powder the night before; the powder will absorb the oil. You can clean up the dirty cornstarch by brushing it away with a soft bristled brush. See if there's any oil left over, and do it again if there is.

Using Baking Soda to Remove Oil from Leather Boots.

Cleaning oil from leather boots is a breeze with baking soda because it is all-natural, inexpensive, and effective. It removes oil without harming the leather, so you can clean your shoes more quickly. This do-it-yourself fix works wonders on leather that has been treated with oil to remove gum stains, but now bears an unsightly oil mark.

In a bowl, make a paste-like mixture of baking soda and water. Using the paste, cover the oil stain on the boot's flat surface. After waiting a few minutes with the stain covered with a clean, soft cloth, gently rub it away. After using a damp cloth to wipe the area, double-check that the stain has been removed.

Get Oil Out of Leather Shoes with Talcum Powder.

Baby powder, which typically contains the mineral talc, is used to quickly absorb sweat. You probably already have a bottle at home, and it works wonderfully to remove oil from leather. Powder like this can be used to remove motor oil from leather shoes.

Place the shoe on a towel, and use talcum powder to clean up the oil stain. Sprinkle on enough powder to mask the stain, and let it sit for a while (preferably overnight). When the oil has been absorbed, brush the talcum off the leather with a soft toothbrush.

Cleaning Oil Off of Leather Boots with a Leather Cleaner

If you'd rather use a more conventional product, there are a wide variety of leather cleaners available on the market that can remove oil and revitalize your shoe's appearance. Find out how to clean oil stains from leather boots using a store-bought product.

To clean patent leather shoes or a leather boot, simply use leather cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions and rub the cleaner into the affected area. Use a soft brush to scrub the area, and a clean towel to dry it off.

To clean your shoes with saddle soap, simply apply an even layer of soap and scrub gently for five to ten seconds. Divide the surface into smaller areas, and use a microfiber cloth to clean each one. When you're done, wipe the shoe down with a damp cloth to remove any remaining soap residue.

Using Lemon Juice to Remove an Oil Stain from Leather Boots

Because of its mild acidity, lemon juice and cream of tartar make an excellent cleaner for leather. You can use these materials to remove oil stains from leather shoes.

Mix equal parts of lemon juice and cream of tartar to make a cleaning paste. Place your shoe flat, and using small, circular motions, rub the paste into the oil stain. After waiting around 20 minutes, the residue can be wiped away with water.

There have been reports that using lemon juice on a grease stain on clothing can help remove motor oil.

Cleaning Leather Shoes with White Vinegar to Remove Oil

You probably have a jug or bottle of white vinegar in your kitchen, as it is a common household liquid that serves many purposes. Figure out how to use vinegar as a leather degreaser to get rid of oil stains on your boots.

Create a cleaning solution by combining water and white vinegar in a container, then soaking a cotton ball in it. To get rid of the oil stain, dab it with the cotton and replace it with new cotton balls as necessary. Finalize by cleaning your footwear with a damp cloth and drying them with a towel.

This home remedy could potentially also be used to remove paint from leather. Vinegar is one of the best all-around cleaning products, and every home should have it.

Taking Oil Off Leather Boots with Soap

After absorbing the stain with powder, mild soap is safe to use on your leather footwear and is ideal for cleaning away oil residue. Soak a soft cloth in soapy water, and use it to wipe down your shoes.

Put some liquid dish soap into the warm water and use a sponge to dab at the stain on your leather shoe. Be careful not to oversaturate the material with the solution. Remove all traces of oil with a damp cloth and give the surface a thorough cleaning.

Cleaning and Conditioning Leather Boots

After cleaning oil off leather boots, recondition them by treating them with shoe polish, leather oil, and a suede brush to keep the leather fibers supple and prevent cracking. To keep the leather in your shoes in pristine condition, you should treat it with the utmost care. When used properly, it can also remove creases from leather footwear.

To maintain the integrity of your leather boots, you can use a leather conditioner, leather oil, mink oil, coconut oil, olive oil, Neatsfoot oil, or any number of other oils and fats.

Lay a towel out flat, take out the laces, and place your leather shoes or boots there. The leather should be treated with a soft cloth and leather conditioner or oil, applied in circular motions. Buff the leather with a clean cloth after conditioning it to make it shiny.

Boot Maintenance Tips

Remove stubborn stains from leather shoes as soon as possible. On the other hand, maintaining your shoes on a daily basis is essential if you want them to last and look their best.

As soon as your shoes start to look dirty, clean them with a leather cleaner or a solution you make at home. Apply shoe polish once a month and condition your shoes after every 25 wears; weatherproof your boots by sealing them with a beeswax product.

Suede and Nubuck shoes should never be left in the rain. The shoes should be stuffed with paper towels or a clean cloth and placed in a well-ventilated area. Keep the airy fabric in good condition for long-term storage by inserting shoe trees.

Although stylish, comfortable, and long-lasting, leather and suede footwear are notoriously difficult to clean, especially when soiled with oil or grease. Several common household items are excellent at restoring shoes that have been damaged by oil stains.

We hope that these tips for removing oil stains from leather shoes will help you maintain the beauty of your footwear, and we'd appreciate it if you'd share this information with your friends on social media sites like Pinterest and Facebook.