How to Remove Stains From Your Favorite Ties and Shoes

The ultimate guide to caring for your ties and shoes

Written by Janet Hu

Have you ever seen an Audi R8 so dirty you could write your name on it with a finger? We assume you collect nice things for a reason. And one of those reasons is to avoid looking unkempt.

In addition to simply looking good, proper care for your favorite ties and shoes will extend their lifetimes. Be thoughtful with your cherished accessories, and look like you have your sh*t together. Here’s the comprehensive guide on cleaning your favorite ties and shoes.

How to Clean Suede Leather Shoes

Suede leather has a napped finish, giving it a velvety texture. This material is made from the underside of the animal skin, and it is softer and more delicate than most leather.

The sick suede kicks below are from Zespa.

General care & maintenance:

Sweep your shoes with a suede brush, gently removing dirt after wearing them, and finish off with a protectant spray once a week. Suede is very susceptible to water damage, so you’ll want to avoid getting your shoes wet. If you do get a stain, clean it as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits in suede, the harder it becomes to remove. Make sure to dry all wet stains first before cleaning them.

Suede cleaning supplies:

Suede brush, or a toothbrush with rubber bristles

White pencil eraser

Towel

White vinegar

Cornstarch

Suede protectant spray

How to remove a dirt stain:

1. Gently brush the stained area in one direction to loosen the fabric and prime it for cleaning.

2. Brush the stain more vigorously to remove trapped-in dirt.

3. Rub an eraser over the stained area. The soft rubber material is less likely cause damage, so you can rub more forcefully for deeper stains.

4. Dip a towel in white vinegar & apply it to the stain. Unlike water, vinegar doesn’t stain suede.

4. Wait for the fabric to dry, then brush it again to fluff it back up

5. Apply suede protectant spay

How to remove an oil stain:

1. Sprinkle the stain with cornstarch to soak up excess oil or liquid

2. Let the stain dry overnight

3. Lightly wet the stained area with a damp brush

4. Brush out the stain and cornstarch

5. Let the suede dry, then gently fluff it with a dry brush

How To Clean Silk Ties

This soft, lustrous material is derived from the natural protein fiber of insects. Silk fiber has a prism-like structure that refracts incoming light at different angles, thereby producing its shimmer. This fabric is delicate and can’t be machine washed.

General care & maintenance:

Silk is typically dry cleaned, but you can hand wash silk ties using a light soap solution and cold water. You’ll want to take a wet cotton ball to your tie and spot test it first. Make sure there isn’t discoloration from the dye. Never wring dry silk ties. Instead, pat them with a towel and lay them flat to finish drying

Silk cleaning supplies:

Cotton ball

White Vinegar Solution

Water

Towel

How to remove stains:

1. Spot test your silk tie with a wet cotton ball. Does the color fade? If not, proceed.

2. Create a solution with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one cup of lukewarm water. Note: never apply undiluted vinegar or any undiluted solution directly to silk.

3. Dip a cotton ball into the solution and wet the stained area.

4. Rub the stain until it’s out.

5. Dab dry with a towel and lay flat to dry.

Note: With tougher stains, you can increase your vinegar to water ratio up to a 50/50 mix. You can also use a diluted alcohol or ammonia solution.

How To Clean White Shoes

There’s something cool about wearing white on your feet. Maybe it’s just that white is so hard to keep clean, so it seems bold walking around in the dirt with it. Plus, the color stands out and goes with pretty much anything. In any case, you’ll want your shoes to remain meticulously, blindingly white.

The beauties below are Nike Free RN Flyknit 2018s.

General care & maintenance:

As with all items on this list, but especially with white shoes, it’s best to keep them clean through steady maintenance and care. Once your white shoes have yellowed or browned, it will be difficult to recover their original color. Store these shoes in a separate section of your closet so they avoid dirt from all the shuffling of shoes by the door.

White shoes cleaning supplies:

Bristle brush or toothbrush

Magic Eraser

Water

Baking soda

Hydrogen peroxide

Gentle shampoo

How to clean white canvas shoes:

1. Brush the shoe to loosen surface dirt.

2. Create a cleaning solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide, and 1-2 cups of water. Its consistency should be thick. (Note: avoid bleach, as it can cause yellowing).

3. Remove the shoelaces and soak them in your solution, or throw them in the washing machine.

4. Dip your brush in the solution and apply it all over the shoe. Scrub vigorously.

5. Soak your Magic Eraser in the solution and apply it to stains, scuffs, and the soles of the shoe.

6. Let your shoes dry for a few hours until the paste is has formed a hardened, cracking shell.

7. Clap your shoes to break off the crust formed by the cleaning solution.

8. Remove any remaining mixture by brushing it off.

How to clean white leather shoes:

1. Create a cleaning solution with a gentle shampoo and warm water.

2. Remove the shoelaces and soak them in your solution, or throw them in the washing machine.

3. Dip a soft brush into the solution and lather the surface of your leather shoes. Be sure not to soak the shoes, as leather is sensitive to water damage

4. Dip a toothbrush in the cleaning solution and clean the tongue

5. Wet your Magic Eraser and apply it to stains, scuffs, and the soles of the shoe

6. Let your shoes dry before relacing them

How To Clean Microfiber Ties

Microfiber is a very fine synthetic fiber, thinner than a strand of silk. It’s elastic and known for its moisture-wicking capabilities. This soft fabric is similar to silk but much easier to clean.

Check out our collection of microfiber ties.

General care & maintenance:

For regular cleaning, hand wash microfiber ties in warm water, and never wring the material to dry. Instead, pat dry with a towel and then hang the tie to finish drying. You can also machine wash microfiber in some cases, but do not use fabric softener.

Microfiber cleaning supplies:

Brush

Dish soap

Water

Cornstarch

How to remove a grease stain:

1. Apply cornstarch to the stain, soaking up as much excess grease as possible.

2. Create a cleaning solution with dish soap and water.

3. Soak the stain in solution, then scrub it with a brush.

How To Clean Leather Shoes

Leather is a durable, flexible material created from animal hides. It undergoes a chemical tanning process that transforms the skin’s protein structure. This treatment makes it stronger and more malleable so that it can be used for wallets, bags, and shoes.

These slick leather lace-ups are from To Boot.

General care & maintenance:

To prevent dirt build up, frequently brush leather with a soft horsehair brush or a clean cloth. You can also use baby wipes to remove dirt from the surface and soles. Be sure to condition your shoes once a month and store them correctly so that they avoid moisture and dirt.

Leather cleaning supplies:

Horsehair Brush

Towel

Dish soap or gentle shampoo

Water

White vinegar

How to remove a stain:

1. Wipe off excess dirt with a dry cloth

2. Remove the shoelaces

3. Create a cleaning solution of diluted dish soap or shampoo

4. Dip your cloth or brush into the solution and gently lather the stain

5. Use a wet cloth to wipe away the soap

4. Allow your shoes to air dry

How to remove a salt stain:

1. Brush the stain’s surface to remove debris.

2. Create a solution of two parts water to one part white vinegar.

3. Dip your brush or cloth in the solution and rub it into the stain.

4. Dab off excess liquid and allow the shoes to air dry.

You can use coconut oil or leather polish as a conditioner. With a clean cloth, gently apply a dime-sized portion of oil to the entire surface of the shoe.

How To Clean Polyester Ties

Polyester is a synthetic material that is similar to cotton but more durable. This fabric is wrinkle-resistant, water-resistant, quick to dry, and it will not shrink.

Check out our collection of polyester ties.

General care & maintenance:

Polyester is a pretty low-maintenance material. You can hand wash your tie in cold or warm water and hang it to dry. In some cases, you can even throw polyester in the washing machine, but we suggest hand washing all ties so that they keep their form. Never wring dry a tie, even if it’s made of polyester.

Polyester cleaning supplies:

Brush or toothbrush

White vinegar

Water

Dish soap

How to remove a stain:

1. Create a solution with equal parts vinegar, dish soap, and water

2. Soak the stain in the cleaning solution

3. Scrub vigorously with a brush or toothbrush

4. Rinse with lukewarm water and repeat the process until the stain is gone.

How To Clean Canvas Shoes

Canvas fabric is made of plain-woven cotton or linen, and in some cases, hemp. It’s extremely durable, making it a great fabric for footwear. Well-loved classic canvas sneakers can be found at Van’s, of course.

General cleaning & maintenance:

Your first instinct may be to throw canvas shoes into the washing machine and hope for the best. However, the blades and heavy spin cycles could destroy the shoe. It’s best to spot treat stains and scuffs instead.

Canvas cleaning supplies:

Brush or toothbrush

Dish soap

Lukewarm water

How to remove a stain:

1. Brush the shoe to loosen surface dirt.

2. Create a cleaning solution of dish soap and lukewarm water.

3. Remove shoelaces and soak them in the solution, or toss them in the washing machine.

4. Dip your brush in the solution and scrub the stains and scuffs vigorously

5. Let your shoes air dry, then brush off any excess dirt

So there you have it: a mega-guide for keeping your favorite ties and shoes clean. Now you have no excuse to be caught with a stain again.

How do you care for your favorite items? Let us know below.

Janet Hu

SOURCE: THE GENTLEMANUAL