How to Get Oil Out of Shoes

Co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: April 26, 2021 References

Grease and oil stains are annoying, especially on your footwear. If you have a grease or oil stain on your shoes, you might think they are ruined permanently. However, if you use baby powder on your canvas or running shoes, oil remover spray on your leather shoes, or cornstarch on your suede shoes, you can get clean looking footwear again in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Canvas and Running Shoes

1
Sprinkle baby powder onto the oil and let it absorb for 5 to 10 minutes. Baby powder works as a grease and oil absorber, so it will help to pull the oil out of the fabric of your shoes. Make sure the stain is covered entirely with powder and leave it to sit in an undisturbed area for at least 5 minutes.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You can use cornstarch instead of baby powder if you prefer.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rio Jongsae Kim
  Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}
2
Use a toothbrush to dust off the baby powder. Do not rub the powder into the shoe, or you could put the oil back into the canvas. Dust the powder into the sink or onto a paper towel that can be thrown away.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You can also use a clean boot brush if you have one.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rio Jongsae Kim
  Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}
Advertisement
3
Rub the stain with 1 drop of dish soap and hot water. If the oil on your shoe was old and had a long time to set in, the baby powder may not have taken it away completely. Run a washcloth under hot water and wring out the excess. Pour 1 drop of dish soap onto the cloth and use that to gently rub at the oil stain. Keep rubbing until the stain is lighter or gone.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Dish soap is great for removing grease since it is made to break down oil on your dishes.
4
Allow your shoes to air dry. Set your shoes in a cool, dry area where they can air dry for about 1 day. Try not to wear your shoes until they are completely dry so that they are more comfortable.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Tip: Place a balled-up sock on the inside of your shoe so that it keeps its shape as it dries.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Oil from Leather Shoes

1
Blot up the oil with a towel. If you just recently got the stain on your shoes, you may be able to get the majority out by blotting it up with a paper towel. Gently dab a clean paper towel over the stain. Do not rub the stain at all, or you could push it further into the leather.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If the stain is old, you probably won’t get any grease out this way.
2
Spray oil remover onto the grease stain. Oil remover is a spray version of baby powder that works well on leather since it penetrates deeply without harming the material. Hold the spray can about 6 inches (15 cm) away from your shoes and coat the stain in the oil remover. Make sure the entire stain is covered.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- You can find oil remover spray at most home goods or leather stores.
- It’s okay if a little bit of the remover gets on an area that does not have a stain.
3
Let the remover sit for at least 2 hours. Allow the remover spray to pull all of the oil out of the leather by letting it sit for a few hours. Leave your shoes in a cool, dry area where they won’t be disturbed.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If the stain is really old or large, you may need to let it sit for up to 3 hours.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
4
Clean off the oil remover when it starts to crack with a soft-bristled brush. You can tell when the remover has absorbed all of the oil that it can when it starts to buckle and crack on your shoes. Use a toothbrush or a boot brush to gently swipe the remover away. You may need to wipe the remover away for a few minutes before it goes away completely.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Tip: If there is still white residue left on your shoes from the remover, use a damp cloth to gently wipe it away.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Oil Out of Suede Shoes

1
Sprinkle cornstarch on the grease stain. Cornstarch works to pull oil out of suede shoes without damaging the material. Cover the oil stain completely in a thin layer of cornstarch. Add more cornstarch to any areas of the stain that are darker than others.^{[12]
X
Research source}^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}
- If you don’t have cornstarch you can use baby powder instead.^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rio Jongsae Kim
  Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}
2
Let the cornstarch sit on the stain for at least 1 hour. Cornstarch pulls oil out of materials and absorbs it for an easy cleanup. Leave your shoes in a cool, dry place where they won’t be disturbed for at least 1 hour.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- If the stain is large or old, leave the cornstarch on your shoes for up to 1 week.
3
Brush away the cornstarch with a clean rag. Use a clean towel or rag to gently wipe away the cornstarch from your shoes. Do not rub or scrape the cornstarch, or you could force some of the oil back into the suede. Make sure the cornstarch is completely gone before you wear your shoes again.^{[16]
X
Research source}^{[17]
X
Expert Source

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}

Warning: Never use dish soap or laundry detergent on your suede shoes. You could damage them permanently.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I get grease off of leather shoes if I don't have the special cleaner?

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.

Rio Jongsae Kim

Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

Expert Answer

The cornstarch/baby powder method will actually work on leather as well. You can definitely give that a shot if you don't have the leather oil remover.
Question

Can I leave the cornstarch on instead of brushing it off?

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.

Rio Jongsae Kim

Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Totally. Let it sit for a couple of hours if you'd like. That will give the cornstarch more time to absorb the oil or grease.