It’s very unpleasant when a cherished pair of boots acquire an oil stain one day. If there are grease marks on the boots, you may believe they are permanently destroyed and that you must get a new pair. However, don’t panic; with only a few basic ingredients such as cornstarch, baby powder, and so on, you can quickly have lovely clean boots again. Please read my experiences with getting oil out of boots and give it a shot.
This post is all about getting oil out of boots. No, not struggling with a soggy fry pan, but rather the real oil that leaks from a car or motorcycle into your footwear. Aside from being wet and cold, you now have to contend with the sticky mess seeping into your socks. And if you’re one of those people who can’t walk barefoot anywhere for fear of stepping on something icky, then these tips are for you.
First, you must determine whether your boots are made of leather, suede leather. Only then can we begin to seek a solution. This is critical since even a minor error in the leather mixing process might ruin your boots. Stay tuned as I demonstrate how to remove grease from each style of boot.
Common Problem Types: Spots and Stains
Grease or Oil
If the oil or grease is wearing off your boots, you can attempt to clean it off using products containing solvents or detergents. However, this will only get rid of the worst of the mess, not get out all of it. To remove all traces of oil completely from your footwear, use a solvent-based product including denatured alcohol or acetone.
Ink
The most common cause of oil and grease in boots is ink. And so the best way to get it out is to stop using it! The dye used in ink can react with oils and fats and leave a greasy mess, as well as ruining the original appearance of the boots. If you do find yourself writing with a pen or pencil, you can go ahead and use those to clean up your boots.
Paint
If your boots have been stained by indoor paint, you’ll need to either clean the boots thoroughly with a solvent or remove the stain from the inside. For ink stains, you can try paste wax or a paste wax remover as a first step. After that, use a solvent as described above. For paint stains, you will probably need to scrape off the stain and then use an appropriate solvent.
Scuffs
Oil and grease can also get on your boots by being absorbed through scratched, scuffed, or scraped leather. You can clean this oil off using a solvent, but you have to wash the scuff with something gentler than detergent so as not to damage the leather.
Other Stains
To remove other stains from your oil-stained boots, you will need to repeat the process described above. It may be necessary for you to try several different solvents until you find the one that works best for your particular stain.
Method 1: Suede Leather Boots
If you have a pair of suede leather boots, you should try using cornstarch because it absorbs oil extremely effectively without damaging the boots. This is also a very natural approach that is both inexpensive and simple to use. I’ll demonstrate how to accomplish it.
Step 1: Prepare a package of cornstarch and locate the oil stain to treat the root. Cornstarch should be sprinkled over grease marks. Cornstarch may be used to remove grease off suede shoes without harming the material. Apply a small coating of cornstarch to thoroughly cover the oil stain. More cornstarch should be added to any parts of the stain that are deeper in color than others.
Step 2: For optimum results, leave the cornstarch on the stain for at least 1 hour. Cornstarch attracts and absorbs oil, making it easier to clean. Boots should be stored in a cool, dry area where they will not be disturbed for at least 1 hour. Leave the cornstarch on the shoe for up to 5-6 days if the stain is big or old. Don’t be concerned; it will have no effect on your shoes.
Step 3: Gently wipe the cornstarch off your boots with a clean cloth or rag. Keep in mind to be kind. To avoid damaging the leather of your boots, do not rub or scrape the cornstarch. To avoid humiliating circumstances that lead you to lose confidence, make sure the cornstarch is fully gone before putting your shoes back on.
Step 4: What are you waiting for? Get your clothes ready to go with these boots. Your concerns have been alleviated, and the boots have returned to their original condition.
You should also try another method with cornstarch: put cornstarch into water and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Then, uniformly apply this mixture to the surface of the leather shoes, paying special attention to the extremely greasy regions. After 24 hours, you carefully wash the surface of the shoe with a toothbrush and clean it with a dry soft towel.
Read more on the latest guide about how to clean suede shoes?
Method 2: Normal Leather Boots
What if my boots are made of leather? Because this sort of shoe leather is easily damaged, we must use a specialist oil remover in this situation. Let’s all work together to get rid of the oil:
Step 1: Determine the location of the oil stain. You may use a paper towel or a towel to absorb oil stains on your shoes. This can help to minimize the amount of oil in the system, making it easier to manage. However, keep in mind that this approach can only be used on newly applied oil stains; if the stain is old, this method is very difficult to use; keep this in mind to prevent wasting time. It serves no use.
Step 2: Make an oil remover. You may go to leather stores or buy online; many businesses are always stocked, so you won’t have to worry about running out of supply. In this case, I use a spray bottle. It is also simple to use. Remove the oil remover from the boots approximately 15-20cm away. Spray on the region where the oil is trapped, being sure to cover the whole area. The benefit of utilizing oil remover is that if you mistakenly spray it on a non-oily area, it will have little effect on the boots. Please be assured.
Step 3: Allow the oil remover to perform its best by allowing it to sit for 1-2 hours (read the directions on the oil remover you use and follow to be sure). Please pick a dry location for the boots. A location to avoid being impacted is also a factor to consider.
Step 4: If a crack appears on the shoe after the stated period, wipe the makeup remover with a soft bristle brush. This split is caused by the oil remover absorbing all of the oil trapped on the boots; check carefully to ensure that there is enough time for the oil remover to function at its optimum. Then, with a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush, carefully brush the bleach away. It will just take you a few minutes to clean them. If there is any white residue on your boots after cleaning, simply wipe it away with a wet towel. That’s it, the boots no longer have those dreadful oil stains.
Method 3: Shiny Leather Boots
What if I don’t have cornstarch or oil remover on hand? Dishwashing liquid is a temporary remedy that I have for you. However, I think this is only a temporary solution because I can’t guarantee that the detergent content in all types of dishwashing liquid is acceptable for boots, and some types of boots may not be compatible. Please use caution when employing this approach. Dishwashing liquid can remove oil from plates and bowls, and it may also be used to clean leather shoes. You may also use this approach to clean shiny leather shoes.
Step 1: In a small basin of water, thoroughly whisk the dishwashing liquid.
Step 2: For a few minutes, gently clean the dirty area with this soft foam toothbrush.
Step 3: Wipe away the foam with a moist towel and re-clean the shoes with a dry cloth.
Small remarks that must be read before removing oil from boots:
- Use a soft toothbrush or a specialist suede shoe brush to clean suede shoes, and brush in the direction of the material.
- Because leather shoes are not highly detergent, only soap, dishwashing liquid, shampoo… should be used to remove grease stains. You should think about using products with safe ingredients so that your boots are not harmed.
- Shoes should not be dried directly in the sun or in a dryer.
- If you have shiny leather shoes, you may still use the procedures for suede shoes, but first wipe the surface of the shoes and test the detergent on a tiny area of skin to see how it works. What are its particular tools?
These methods are simple, yet they can help to alleviate your concerns. If you have this problem, try it right now; it will be quite beneficial. I hope my experience will be beneficial to you.
How to Clean Your Timberland, Thorogood, Thursday Boots?
Follow this easy, step-by-step video guide to cleaning your Timberland, Thorogood, Thursday Boots:
It’s quick and easy!
If you have a pair of Timberland boots that need cleaning, there’s no need to panic. Simply mix equal parts water and white vinegar, apply the solution to the boots, and scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush. For Thorogood and Thursday boots, check out our quick hacks to clean your work boots. These tips will help ensure that your boots stay looking great for years to come.
Use Dry Brush or Cheap Dish Scrubber
With your dry brush or dish scrubber, gently brush the dirt from the boots using a circular motion.
Use Your Old Tooth Brush
Start by brushing off any dirt or debris with a dry brush or dustpan before washing your boots. Remove any visible mud or debris that may have dried overnight with a damp cloth. Make sure that the brush you use is dry and made of animal hair, which won’t damage your shoes as nylon bristles would.
To get oil out of boots, you can try using an old toothbrush with dish soap and warm water. Simply scrub the affected area with the mixture and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth. For more tips on cleaning shoes, check out Simple Cleaning Methods to Clean White Mesh Shoes.
Clean Sole with fiebing saddle soap
Use the fiebing saddle soap and stiff handle spoon to clean the soles of your Timberland boots. The fiebing saddle soap is specifically designed for use on leather, suede, or tanned leather. The stiff handle spoon is designed to be used with the saddle soap.
Clean Sole with Kiwi White Saddle Soap
After rinsing and drying your boots with the fiebing Saddle Soap, follow it up by using your Kiwi White Saddle Soap. Use the Kiwi White Saddle Soap on all of your leather objects to help maintain their strength and durability. When cleaning any leather, keep in mind that surface dirt can be removed by lightly brushing with a damp cloth while scuffing out excess water.
Use water and spoon
Use some water to the area then use the spoon to remove the stains from your boots after applying the soap. Make sure that you thoroughly clean the leather as you apply the saddle soap.
The main safety tip is to not let the water sit in the boots that long or else it would damage your shoes.
If you have oil stains on your boots, a simple solution is to use baking soda and water. Check out our guide on how to wash work boots for more tips on keeping your boots clean and looking new.
Clean the upper of the boots with kiwi brush kit
Use the KIWI brush kit to clean the upper portion of your boots. For dirty boots, you will need to use a little extra water over the saddle soap over the area that needs to be cleaned. You can also use your old toothbrush here as well. The Kiwi brush kit is made of soft nylon bristles and is ideal for all types of cleaning.
Dry it completely
You should dry your boots after cleaning them. You can help your boots to dry faster by using the hair drier at the low setting and then let it air dry for about 30 minutes or so. If you don’t have a hair drier, use a fan and aim at the area that needs to be dried. For best results, do not place your leather boots near the fire as you will damage the material with over-exposure to heat over time.
To ensure you get all the oil out of your boots, it’s important to dry them completely. Check out these 10 ways to dry wet work boots fast. These tips and tricks can be used to dry any type of boots, including those with oil stains. By following these methods, you can avoid any potential mold or mildew growth and ensure your boots are ready to wear in no time.
Extra Tips for Removing Oil out of Your Boots
It’s important to extend beyond merely removing the oil. There are several products available on the market that are designed for this task specifically. If you don’t want to spend money or purchase another product, there are some tricks to remove oil out of boots with household items you might already have in your home.
- Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is a way to clean off grease and oils from surfaces such as leather and other materials. If you submerge the boots in the alcohol and let them soak for a period of time, it will help to loosen and remove the oil.
- Vinegar: Vinegar is another common household item that can be used for this purpose. You can thoroughly wash your boots with a solution of vinegar, warm water and detergent before thoroughly rinsing them out. Doing this will help to remove oil from particular nooks and crannies where it may have been trapped.
- Abrasive cleaners: There are many cleaning agents that can be purchased in a bottle at your home improvement store. These cleaners are designed with a gritty substance to help clean off the oil and other substances from the boots. Simply spray it onto the boots and allow them to sit for several minutes. Using a brush or cloth, wipe off the substance and then rinse and dry the boots afterward.
- Cornstarch or baby powder: Many people will sprinkle or coat their feet in baby powder before they put on boots in order to absorb moisture and prevent blisters. However, your boots may get oily from the oil on your feet. Sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch inside the boots after they have been cleaned to absorb the oils from your feet. This will help you get another wear out of your favorite pair of boots before you have to toss them away.
You should also remember to treat your boots with care. Treat them gently so they will have a longer lifespan before you have to replace them. It is also important that you pick the right work boots, to begin with. There are many different brands of boots that are available that might not be well suited for your needs. You also need to consider the sizing of the boot before purchasing it, as this is essential in making sure you have a pair of boots that will fit just right before you wear them out of the box.
