Clean Satin Shoes
Satin shoes have a lustrous, very glossy finish that gives the footwear a special, elegant and glamorous look. Satin shoes are often worn for formal occasions such as weddings because the fabric can be easily dyed to match any dress color. These shoes cannot be washed, but stains and smudges will sometimes show up on the shoe. Clean satin shoes with the right materials and a little bit of effort.
Steps
- Wipe off the shoes. Gently dust off any loose dirt or debris that may be on the front of the shoes, or on the sole and heel. Wipe anything off by hand, or with a dry, clean cloth. Scrape away any stubborn particles that cannot easily be brushed off the shoes.
- Mix an oil-based soap with water. Find a type of soap that contains oil, such as olive oil, and dissolve it in a bowl or a sink of warm water. Liquid soap is the easiest type to squirt into and mix with the water. However, bar soap will work just fine as well once it is soaked in warm water. Place bar soap into the water and rub it between hands under the water as if washing them.
- Wet a piece of cloth in the soap and water. There is no need to completely saturate the cloth or the shoe. Simply dip a corner of a washcloth or hand towel into the soapy water and ring out the excess water.
- Rub the damp cloth over the entire length shoe gently. Pay attention to any details on the shoe, such as satin bows or ribbons or other ornaments typically found on the toes.
- Scrub the visible stains on the satin. Using the damp cloth, rub the stain by applying pressure to the area and making small circular motions.
- Clean the soles and the heels. Once the satin fabric has been wiped down and the stains treated, wipe down the soles and the heels of the shoes with the same cloth and soap solution.
- Allow the satin shoes to dry. The satin shoes can air dry, and will be ready to wear after about 1 day. Do not put them outside to dry, as the color can fade if the shoes are left in direct sun, and exposure to other weather elements may put the shoes at risk for becoming dirty again.
Tips
- When rubbing at the stain, rub in the direction of the satin grain, and not against it.
- Cleaning satin shoes will remove stains and dirt, but may not restore color that is faded. If the color needs to be brightened or updated, it may be necessary to have the shoes dyed.
Things You'll Need
- Cleaning cloth
- Oil-based soap
- Water
- Sink or bowl
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