Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using household products
• Method 2 of 3: Using products from the store
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent new black streaks
• Tips
• Warnings

It is frustrating to have black stripes on your shoes. The more stripes your shoes get, the worse they look and you may end up thinking that it is better to throw them away. However, there are a lot of great ways to clean your shoes and keep them looking their best for years to come. Some methods use household products, and others require special products for shoes. When you're done cleaning, take precautions to keep your shoes looking clean and like new.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using household products

1. Determine what material your shoes are made of. Before you can start cleaning, you will need to make sure that the product you are using is safe for the material your shoes are made of. Leather, suede and synthetics all need to be treated differently, especially if you use more aggressive cleaners. You will soon be able to tell the difference between soft suede, leather, and canvas, but if you are unsure, check the shoebox, search the Internet for similar shoes, or ask an employee at a shoe store that the shoes are made from.
2. Use toothpaste. To remove black streaks from leather, patent leather, synthetic leather, or rubber shoes, use toothpaste. Put a dollop of toothpaste on a toothbrush and scrub the black stripes with it. Put a little water on the shoes to lather the toothpaste, then keep scrubbing the shoes in a circular motion. Rinse or wipe away the toothpaste and then dry the shoes.
3. Apply nail polish remover. Use a cotton ball and nail polish remover to clean genuine leather, synthetic leather, patent leather, or rubber shoes. Make sure the nail polish remover does not contain acetone, as an agent containing acetone can damage your shoes. Put the nail polish remover in a small cup and then dip a cotton ball in it. When the cotton ball is slightly damp, rub the nail polish remover on the black streaks and keep rubbing until they are gone.
4. Use baking soda. For shoes made of canvas or another fabric, use baking soda. Grab a toothbrush and two bowls. Sprinkle some baking soda in one bowl and pour some water into the other bowl. Dip the toothbrush in the water and then in the baking soda. Scrub the black stripes with it. If the mixture is not fizzing strongly enough, wet the toothbrush again, sprinkle some baking soda on the black stripes, then scrub them. When you're done, rinse or wipe away the baking soda.
5. Try dish soap. You can use a little washing-up liquid for shoes made of canvas or other fabric. Apply a pea-sized dollop of dish soap to the black stripes and scrub them with a wet toothbrush or cloth. Keep scrubbing until the streaks are gone, then rinse and wipe away any leftover foam.
6. Rub the lines with a pencil eraser. This method can work with all types of shoes, but it works especially well with suede. Suede shoes can be very difficult to clean, but a pencil eraser will help remove dry black streaks. Gently rub the stripes with a pencil eraser, taking care not to damage the fabric. Keep rubbing gently until the dirt or streaks are removed, then wipe away the residue of the eraser.

Method 2 of 3: Using products from the store

1. Search the store for products that remove black streaks. Shoe stores often sell products specially designed for cleaning shoes. They may work better than household products because they are specially formulated to clean certain fabrics. However, make sure you use the correct product for your shoes, as using the wrong product can damage the fabric of your shoes.
   • Buy a suede product if your shoes are made of suede. Suede can be difficult to clean and black streaks appear very quickly. Look for a special suede cleaner in an aerosol can. Use the product according to the directions on the package and scrub away the black streaks.
   • Buy a shoe brush. There are many different types of shoe brushes available for different types of shoes. Suede and leather brushes are used to brush black stripes from suede and leather shoes and to protect the material. They provide a nice finish to the material.
2. Use shoe cloths. Many shoe stores sell shoe wipes in handy packaging for cleaning and polishing your shoes on the go. Some black streaks and marks are easier to remove if you act quickly, so shoe cleaning cloths can be a useful way to get them off quickly. Make sure you buy the right type of wipes that are suitable for the material your shoes are made of.
3. Polish your shoes with a little shoe polish. If your shoes are leather, applying a little bit of shoe polish in the right color can help refresh the leather and soften the black stripes. Rub a little shoe polish over the entire surface of the shoes with a soft cloth. Take a good look at the black stripes and apply some more shoe polish there.
4. Use a miracle sponge. You can use a miracle sponge to remove streaks and stains from household objects, but you can also use it on your shoes. Wet the sponge and then rub it over the black stripes on your shoes. It doesn't matter whether your shoes are made of leather, suede, canvas or other material. Keep rubbing until the streaks are completely gone.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent new black streaks

1. Use a protective spray. Now that you no longer have black stripes on your shoes, you can take steps to prevent new black stripes. Purchase a protective spray from a shoe store near you or online. Make sure the spray is suitable for the material your shoes are made of. Spray the spray on the entire surface of the shoes, following the directions on the packaging. Such a spray will help prevent new black streaks and stains and keep your shoes looking fresh and like new.
2. Polish your leather shoes. If you haven't used shoe polish to remove the black stripes, it's a good idea to polish your shoes now. Choose the correct color of shoe polish for the leather, then rub it onto your shoes with a clean, lint-free cloth. Apply the agent evenly over the entire surface.
3. Use a separate pair of shoes for dirty jobs. You will always get black stripes on your shoes, but you can help protect your beautiful shoes by only wearing them in clean and tidy environments. You are less likely to get black stripes on a nice pair of leather shoes if you only wear them to work, and not to a concert or a sports match. Keep a pair of older shoes handy and carry them to areas where they might get dirty.

Tips

• You can use these methods to clean other leather, suede, and canvas items such as bags, wallets, and briefcases.
• If the method you are using doesn't work, try different methods. For example, if toothpaste doesn't work, give it a try with nail polish remover. Just make sure to rinse the shoes between different methods.

Warnings

• Always use the correct product that is suitable for the material your shoes are made of. A leather cleaner will not work on suede and vice versa. The wrong products can damage and even ruin your shoes.