You've just completed a DIY project, and you're feeling accomplished! Unfortunately, you were wearing your favorite kicks, and they are now covered in paint, looking like a relic from another era. Since the last thing you want is to throw them away, we will show you how to remove paint from shoes without damaging the uppers.

As we get ready, think of this for a second: what if you didn't have to worry about your shoes getting stained in the first place? What if the shoes are waterproof and can withstand any challenge you put them through?

Cleaning paint off your shoes would be easier in this case, and we recommend our pair of Vessi shoes that are 100% waterproof. And the best part? They're stylish, supportive, well-cushioned, eco-friendly, and versatile- you can use them as walking or running shoes.

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However, if you already have another pair stained with paint, then there is still hope to clean it up through these tooth paint removal tips. Yes, it is possible to bring back the looks of paint stained shoes back to life with mere items from your home and plenty of time. Let's get started below!

How to Remove Paint from Your Shoes

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Paint stains can permanently damage your kicks, so it is good to remove the stain as fast as you see them. Still, you will consider a few things before you start, including;

• The upper material

• The type of paint: It can be acrylic, oil-based, or latex paint

• If the paint is wet or dry

So, to ensure we cover all these topics, let's see how you can clean different types of shoes below.

1. How to Remove Paint from Fabric or Canvas Shoes

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Fabric and canvas kicks have a delicate upper; while thick and durable, the canvas contains many fibers that easily soak paint. So, you should start cleaning the shoe fabric immediately after you spot the stained area. Here are the supplies you need for the job:

• Warm water

• Dish soap

• A soft-bristled brush or toothbrush

• Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover (for oil-based stains)

• Cotton balls (for oil-based stains)

• A clean cloth

I. How to Remove Latex or Acrylic Paint from Canvas Fabric Shoes

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If you've accidentally gotten acrylic or latex paint on your canvas or fabric shoes, don't panic! Here's how to remove the paint from your shoes:

Step 1: If the paint is still wet it is advisable to dab the paint stained area with a clean piece of cloth or paper. At the same time please remember not to extend the paint on other areas of the shoe. However, do not rub this paint on the surface of the fabric since this only feeds the paint deeper into the fabric. If you are stuck with a large spill you can use spoon to wipe off the excess paint. This step may be omitted in the process if you need to eradicate spray paint or dry paint stain.

Step 2: Soak the shoes in warm water for about 10 minutes to loosen the paint.

Step 3: Use the toothbrush to remove paint from the soles after soaking. Then, add a small amount of dish soap to another bowl with warm water and mix it in.

Step 4: Take a clean cloth and soak it into the water mixed with soapy solution, make sure you ring the cloth and then again blot the affected region to remove all the loose paints. Continue this until you have the paint as clean as you can. Also, depending on the hardness of your upper fabric you may use a tooth brush to clean that area with vigorous rubbing. Caution should be taken while brushing in order not to apply a lot of pressure that may damage the material.

Step 5: Once all the stains are gone, clean the shoes as you normally do. Here is our guide on how to clean canvas shoes. Alternatively, see how to wash sneakers in a washing machine and how to wash shoelaces for the best results.

Step 6: Let the pair air dry. If that's not an option, here is our guide on machine-drying your shoes.

II. How to Remove Oil-Based Paint from Fabric and Canvas Shoes

When removing oil-based or spray paint, you need rubbing alcohol to loosen the paint. Here are the steps to remove oil-based paint from your shoes:

Step 1: Wet a clean cloth and wipe off as much extra paint from the shoe as possible. This step is applicable if your paint stain has not dried. If it is a large spill, scoop it off with a spoon.

Step 2: They say that dampening a cotton ball with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol and then gently rubbing it on the stained area should do the trick. Be careful that the cotton swab is not saturated with rubbing alcohol which will cause the paint to spread further. Continue blotting until all the paint is detached from the shoe. However, if it doesn’t wash away, another approach is to carefully scrub the affected region with a mineral spirit. It could be done by using another toothbrush or a soft bristles brush.

Step 3: When you have blotted all the paint stains, launder your shoes in the basin or washing machine as usual. Then, leave the shoes to air dry in a cool place.

2. How to Remove Paint Stains from Leather Shoes

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Removing paint from leather kicks is easier than canvas or fabric shoes. Here are the supplies you will need:

• Clean cloth or paper towel

• Cotton ball

• Rubbing alcohol

• Mineral spirits or turpentine (for oil-based stains)

• Leather conditioner

I. How to Remove Chemical or Water-Based Paint Stains from Leather Shoes

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Here are the steps to remove acrylic or latex paint stains from your leather kicks:

Step 1: If you are cleaning wet paint, use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the area gently. Avoid rubbing the paint, as this can spread it further.

Step 2: Dip a cotton ball into the rubbing alcohol and dab on the stained area until the paint loosens.

Step 3: Wipe off the loosened paint with a clean cloth until it disappears. You can repeat the step- dabbing the stain with rubbing alcohol and wiping it off as many times as necessary.

Step 4: Once you remove all the paint, apply the leather conditioner to restore the leather's natural moisture and suppleness. Then, use a soft, clean cloth to buff the shoes to a shine.

II. How to Remove Oil-Based Paint Stains from Leather Shoes

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To remove oil-based paints from your leather pair, you need to use turpentine or mineral spirits to loosen the stains. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Use a dry cloth or paper towel to blot the excess paint from your shoes. This step is only applicable to wet paint.

Step 2: Soak a cotton ball in turpentine or mineral spirits and apply it gently on the paint stain. When massaging, do it gently in circular movements, and do not put pressure for this may harm your leather.

Step 3: Thereafter let the solvent to stays for several minutes to dissolve the paint stain and then cleaning the area with a clean damp cloth. Continue doing this until you successfully remove the stain.

Step 4: Dry the shoes in a natural way overnight, then put on a leather conditioner for the rejuvenation of the shoe material. Lastly, to make the shoes look shiny, you need to polish the shoes.

3. How to Remove Paint from Suede Shoes

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Since suede is more sensitive in comparison with leather and canvas, the process of eliminating paint stains will be not so easy. For instance, you will not use solvents or a paint thinner, scrub the shoes, or apply water directly. So, perform the removal while the paint is still wet; otherwise, you may find the fabric is beyond redemption. Here are the supplies you will need to remove oil-based, acrylic, or latex paint from suede shoes:

• A suede brush

• A pencil eraser

• A clean cloth

• Dish soap

• Fingernail file

Follow these steps to remove the pain stains from your suede shoes;

Step 1: Use the clean cloth to blot as much paint from the shoe as possible.

Step 2: Pour warm water into the bucket and squirt the dish soap to make a lathering solution of bubbles. Next, collect the bubbles and soaps and spread them on the stained area, and then proceed to clean using a soft cloth.

Step 3: What is left should be wiped clean with powder and a dry cloth. Repeat the same until you find that the suede is not wet with water..

Step 4: Look at the suede grain and drag the pencil eraser in the direction of the grain. Next, take a suede brush to the area and lightly go over it to help lift any dried paint that may be present.

Step 5: Use a fingernail file to gently rub the affected area, thus removing any leftover paint stain.

Step 6: Finally, use the suede brush to gently brush the nap of the suede back into place.

Conclusion

Learning how to remove paint from shoes is something that may seem hard at first, but when you arm yourself with some equipment and techniques it only takes five minutes or so. That is why following the described steps by each shoe material and each type of paint will help you to restore your shoes. The simple advice and strategies outlined in this guide should assist you in eradicating paint stains from your shoes with ease so that they remain in optimum condition for as long as possible.