How to Clean Satin Shoes

Co-authored by James Sears

Last Updated: October 15, 2020

Satin is a common material for formal shoes, especially bridal and prom shoes. The material can pick up stains with regular wear, so you’ll need to clean your satin shoes from time to time. First, remove any loose dirt with a soft bristled brush. Then, gently dab the stains with a damp cloth. For tough stains, you can use hand soap. Always use a soft, clean cloth to dry the shoes as soon as you finish cleaning them.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Dirt and Stains

1
Wash satin shoes by hand, not in a washing machine. If your shoes are made of a delicate material like satin or silk, you should not clean them in a washing machine. The machine could potentially damage the shoes. Always wash satin shoes by hand.^{[1]
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2
Follow instructions on the shoes’ label. Look inside the satin shoe to see if there is a label with laundering instructions. There also might be instructions on the shoebox. You can also try contacting the manufacturer directly and ask them for instructions. If you locate instructions, follow them.^{[2]
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3
Brush away any loose dirt or debris. Take a soft bristled brush and gently brush loose dirt from the shoes. Try using a brush with soft, nylon bristles. Make sure you remove all the loose dirt. Any debris or dirt left on the shoe will be rubbed further into the fabric when you clean the shoes. This can cause larger stains.^{[3]
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4
Dip a soft cloth in cool or cold water. Take a soft cloth made of cotton or microfiber and dip it into a small bowl of cold or cool water. You will want to dampen the entire cloth. Wring any excess water from the cloth after you dampen it.^{[4]
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5
Blot the stains with the damp cloth. Take the damp cloth and place it on the stain. If there are multiple stains, start with the one closest to the top of the shoe. Then gently blot the stain with the damp cloth, following the grain of the satin.^{[5]
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6
Dry the shoe with a soft cloth. If the water removed the stain, you can then dry the shoe. Take a soft cloth and gently dab the shoe dry. Be careful you do not rub the satin with the cloth. Rubbing the shoe’s fabric can cause water streaks. Instead, dab the shoe with a cloth until you have removed as much moisture as possible.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Treating Stubborn Stains

1
Apply a small amount of hand soap to a damp cloth. Liquid hand soap is gentle enough to be used on satin shoes. Apply a pea-sized drop of liquid hand soap to a damp cloth.^{[7]
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2
Rub the cloth against itself to produce a lather. Once you apply hand soap to the damp towel, create a lather by rubbing. Try rubbing two sides of the cloth against each other to create a lather.^{[8]
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3
Dab the stains with the soapy cloth. Starting at the top of the shoes, gently dab all the stains with the damp, soapy cloth. Do not rub the soapy cloth on the stains, as this can discolor the shoe.^{[9]
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- You could also try to use hydrogen peroxide or baking soda to lift stains.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
4
Rinse and dry the shoes immediately. After dabbing the soap on the stain, immediately rinse the area by using a separate, dampened cloth. Then take a soft, dry cloth and blot the wet spot until you remove as much moisture as possible.^{[11]
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5
Never use hot water. You should only use cool or cold to clean tough stains from satin shoes. Hot water can discolor the shoes. Using hot water on the shoes could cause the fabric to shrink considerably, potentially altering the fit of the shoes.^{[12]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I get stains out of satin shoes?

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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A commercial cleaner will work best, but you can also try using hydrogen peroxide or baking soda.