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    Add all the ingredients together. Combine 1 tbsp (14 White distilled vinegar (8 ml), 1 tablespoon (14 Add a small amount (about 8 ml) of dishwasher detergent to 2 cups of cold water and let it sit for a few minutes Mix the ingredients with a large spoon. Combine all of the ingredients thoroughly. [1]1

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    Find a hidden place to try this out! The solution can be tested on a small, inconspicuous area of the shoe with a clean, white cloth. Wait a full minute for the solution to settle. After that, wipe the area down with a damp cloth to remove the cleaning agent. Check for any lingering stains, residue, or discoloration that the solution may have left behind. If you notice any negative consequences, you should try another approach. [2]1

    • Instead, try the solution out on a pair of old shoes before applying it to the pair at hand.
    • Before using a cleaning product on a large area, you should give it a try on a hidden area. That way, you won't have to deal with any unintended consequences.

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    Use a cotton swab to dab the remedy onto the sore. A clean sponge, cloth, or rag will do the trick here. Wait 30 minutes and then try again. Apply fresh solution to the stain every five minutes while the first application sets. [3]1

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    Use cold water to wash the stain away. Simply rinsing a dry, clean rag in cold water will suffice. Sponge the solution off the stain with the wet cloth. Use a sponge to scrub the spot clean. If your cloth becomes dry, re-wet it. [4]

    • Blot the fabric until it is dry using a clean, dry cloth.
    • If the stain persists, blot it with rubbing alcohol from a clean cloth until it disappears. Blot the stain until dry after sponging it with clean, cool water. [5]1

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    Put a small amount of sunscreen on a clean cloth (about the size of a pea). Sunscreen should be white and creamy, not tinted or sprayed on. If you want to check if the sunscreen is removing the color from the leather, you should use a white rag or cloth. [6]

    • As long as you begin with a very low SPF sunscreen, bleaching the leather shouldn't be a problem.
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    Gently scrub the stain using circular motions. Rub the stain gently so as not to strip the leather of its dye. If the stain is extensive, tackle it in manageable chunks. [7]1

    • Apply additional sunscreen as needed while scrubbing the stain.
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    Use soap and hot water to clean it. Wash the area with some gentle soap and water after the stain has been removed. Wipe the area down with a fresh rag. It's a good idea to dry the area with a clean, dry cloth, too. [8]

    • A leather conditioner could be used to repair the damaged area. Using a conditioner will also prevent the leather from cracking.

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    Get yourself a magic eraser. Find a magic eraser in the cleaning supplies aisle of your local supermarket or drugstore. Use a magic eraser to get rid of permanent marker stains on leather and fabric. [9]1

    • This product may be useful if the stain on your shoes spreads to both the fabric and the leather upper.
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    Get the eraser wet and see what happens. Rinse the sponge in cold water. Squeeze out the excess water before using. Rub the stain in small, circular motions. Apply light but consistent pressure while scrubbing the stain. [10]1

    • Avoid vigorous scrubbing. If you rub the leather too vigorously, it may lose its color.
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    Please use soap and water to clean up. After the stain has been removed, clean the area with water and a mild soap. It's best to do this with a clean cloth. Then, dry the area with a clean, dry cloth. [11]1

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Question New
  • Question

    In what ways can I remove marker from suede?

    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Jongsae Rio Kim
    Expert in the Care of Shoes
    Owner of Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Rio Jongsae Kim specializes in repairing high-end footwear and bags. Rio and Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair has been in business for over 40 years, specializing in the repair and reconstruction of leather and high-end accessories and goods like shoes and handbags. Yahoo, Insider, and MSN have all featured Rio's restoration and repair work because of his expertise and professionalism.
    Rio Jongsae Kim

    Normally, I just resort to using suede gum. Most effectively remove the marker by

  • Question

    But what if I wear leather footwear?

    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Certified Shoe Expert
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada's Rio Jongsae Kim is the proprietor of Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair, where he specializes in repairing designer footwear and handbags. Rio and Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair has been in business for over 40 years, and during that time they have become experts in the repair and reconstruction of leather and high-end goods like shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio's work has been featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN because of his expertise and commitment to high-quality restoration and repair.
    Rio Jongsae Kim

    To remove marker from leather, use a magic block or thinner. You may need to retouch the shoes after removing the marker because the cleaned stain may look similar to the original color of the leather.

  • Question

    What can I use to remove the black sharpie without damaging the pink Nike Air soles?

    Community Answer

    The most effective remedy is nail polish remover. If that doesn't work, try using cotton swabs and a "cloth bleach" cleaner to gently remove the stain.

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Rio Jongsae Kim

Rio Jongsae Kim is a co-author of this piece. Rio Jongsae Kim, proprietor of Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is a designer-shoe and -bag repair expert. Rio and Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair has been in business for over 40 years, and during that time they have become experts in the repair and reconstruction of leather and high-end accessories, such as shoes and handbags. The quality of Rio's restoration and repair work has been recognized by major websites like Yahoo, Insider, and MSN thanks to his extensive experience and dedication to his craft. To date, there have been 179,876 views of this article.

Co-authors: 9

Updated: Friday, November 18th, 2022

Views:  179,876

Categories: Highlighted Stories | Shoes: How to Maintain Them | Adjustments to Shoes

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  • Anonymous

    Knowledge of the best cleaning products for various materials, including the magic eraser, was also very useful. "

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