How to Clean Satin Shoes
Published: Mar 5, 2025 ⊜References
Releted Article: How To Clean Transparent Shoes
In a short time
- Gently clean loose dirt and debris from the shoes with a soft-bristled brush.
- Soak a soft cloth in cold water, squeeze out excess water, and gently rub the stain. For stubborn stains, apply a drop of liquid hand soap to a damp cloth.
- Blot the wet stain with a dry cloth to remove moisture.
Removing Dirt and Stains
1. Wash satin shoes by hand.
Shoes made of delicate materials, such as satin or silk, should never be cleaned in a washing machine. Washing machines can damage the material of the shoes. Always wash your satin shoes by hand.
6. Follow the instructions on the shoe label.
Satin shoes may have instructions on the inside of the shoe or on the shoe box. If you cannot find the label, you can contact the manufacturer directly and ask for instructions. If you can find the instructions, follow them.
3. Brush away loose dirt or debris using a brush. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and gently brush away loose dirt. You may want to consider using a nylon bristle brush for this task. Do not rub the debris or dirt with a cloth, as this will push the debris or dirt further into the fabric, which can cause larger stains on the shoes.
4. Dampen a soft cloth in cold water and wring out the excess water.
Use a soft cloth made of cotton or microfiber for this task. Then, dip the cloth in cold water in a small bowl. After the cloth is soaked, wring out the excess water.
5. Blot the stain with a damp cloth, following the grain of the satin.
Take the damp cloth and place it over the stain, gently wiping the stain following the grain of the satin. If there are multiple stains, start with the first one at the top of the shoe and work your way down.
5. Blot the shoe dry with a dry cloth.
If you are able to remove the stain with water, you can proceed to dry the shoe. For this, take a soft, dry cloth and gently press the shoe to remove the water. Be careful and do not use a cloth that could damage the satin of the shoe. Rubbing the cloth too hard can leave water stains on the satin. Blot the shoe with a cloth until the moisture is removed.
Treating Stubborn Stains
1. Apply a few drops of hand soap to a damp cloth.
Use liquid hand soap in this case because it is gentle enough to use on satin shoes. Apply a drop of liquid hand soap to a cloth dampened with cold water.
2. Lather the cloth.
After applying liquid hand soap to the wet cloth, rub it to create a lather. Rub the two sides of the cloth together to create a lather.
3. Blot the stain with a soapy cloth.
Starting at the top of the shoe, gently blot the stain with the soapy cloth.
- You can use hydrogen peroxide or baking soda to lift the stain.
4. Wash the shoes immediately and dry them.
After applying soap to the stain, immediately blot the area with a separate, damp cloth. Then, take a dry cloth and try to remove as much moisture as possible.
Never use hot water. Never use hot water to clean tough stains from satin shoes; cold water is sufficient. Hot water can fade the color of the shoes and cause the fabric to shrink significantly, which can potentially change the fit of the shoes.
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About This Article
Co-authored by:
Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
Co-authors: 2
Updated: February 25, 2025