Prep first
Before you start
- Start with the mildest option: warm water with a little mild soap.
- Wipe the spot with a clean cloth, then dry it thoroughly.
- If you're unsure about the material, test the cleaner on a hidden spot first.
- Let the shoes air dry at room temperature for at least 8 hours.
A scuff on a shoe is a mark rubbed onto the surface, and it usually lifts with a mild soapy solution if you move slowly. Shoes can take water and a soak with care, but hot water and heat are off the table, so drying has to happen without warmth. A mark that has sat for weeks may only fade rather than vanish, so judge the result once the shoes are fully dry.
Test any cleaner on a hidden spot of the upper before you try to remove scuff marks from shoes. Most scuffs come off without shoe polish, so a mild cleaner and a soft cloth are enough to start. If the mark survives a couple of gentle rounds, stop, because pushing harder can wear the surface.
Before you start
What shoes & sneakers can take
Use with care5
- Water
- Soaking
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid3
- Hot water
- Chlorine bleach
- Heat, once the stain is out
8 items
What you'll need
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- Mild laundry detergent or dish soapMakes the cleaning solution, used diluted. (opens Amazon)
- Warm waterThe base for the solution.
- Soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or damp clothLifts the mark without roughing up the upper. (opens Amazon)
- Clean dry clothsFor wiping and drying.
- Baking sodaMakes a paste for white or light shoes.
- Suede brush, suede rubber or pencil eraserFor suede only, to lift surface marks. (opens Amazon)
- White vinegarFor stubborn stains on suede only.
- Household cleaning eraser or leather conditionerFor stains on leather.
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Mix a mild cleaning solution
Stir a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap into warm water. Add plenty of water so the mix is well diluted. Stick to this one solution rather than mixing in other cleaners.
Careful. A high concentration of dish soap can discolor some materials or strip natural oils.
Step 2 of 6
Clean the outsole and midsole
Scrub the soles thoroughly before you touch the uppers. Grit left on the sole can rub back onto the shoe as you brush. Rinse your brush or cloth often as you go.
Step 3 of 6
Brush the uppers gently
Dip a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or damp cloth into the solution and work it over the scuffed area. Use short, gentle strokes and check the mark after each pass. Keep the surface damp rather than dripping.
Careful. Leather doesn't like hard scrubbing, so keep your strokes light.
Step 4 of 6
Wipe and dry the uppers
Wipe the uppers with a clean damp cloth to lift off the soap. Dry the surface thoroughly with a clean cloth before you move on.
Tip. Check the mark in good light, since a scuff can look faded when it is still there.
Step 5 of 6
Repeat for very dirty shoes
If the scuff is still visible or the shoes are very dirty, go back through the brushing and wiping steps once more. Stop once the mark has faded or stops changing, so you don't wear the material down.
Step 6 of 6
Air dry the shoes
Leave the shoes at room temperature until they are fully dry, which can take at least 8 hours. Keep them away from radiators and direct heat while they dry.
Careful. Never put shoes in a dryer or use a hair dryer on them, since heat can permanently misshape them.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for scuff marks on shoes & sneakers
Choose a mild liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, and always use it diluted. For leather or suede, look for a leather conditioner or suede rubber, since those are the right product types for those surfaces.
Utopia Kitchen White Flour Sack Towels
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on shoes & sneakers, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
A cleaned scuff lifts without leaving a damp patch or a shine behind. If the mark is only lighter rather than gone, it usually needs another round of brushing rather than harder scrubbing.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your shoes & sneakers
Leather shoes
Leather takes the lightest touch, so the soap solution and soft brush handle most scuffs. For a mark that won't lift, rub a household cleaning eraser or a leather conditioner over it lightly.
Dry the leather fully afterward, then look at the mark in good light before deciding on another round.
Suede shoes
Start with the dry steps on suede. Brush away surface debris with a suede brush or towel, working in the direction of the nap. Rub the marks on the surface with suede rubber or a pencil eraser.
For stubborn stains, scrub with a cloth dipped in white vinegar, switching between directions with each pass. Colored vinegar can leave a stain, so use the white kind only.
White and light shoes
A baking soda paste works well on light uppers. Mix equal parts baking soda and water, apply it to the scuff with the soft brush, and wipe it away with a damp cloth. Work in small areas so the paste doesn't dry on the surface before you wipe it.
Finish with the usual drying step, so no paste is left on the upper.
Mesh and knit shoes
Mesh and knit uppers need the gentlest touch, so use the soft brush with light strokes only. Watch the knit yarn, since a rough brush can snag it and leave a pull that stays.
Stick to the mild soap solution rather than anything stronger, and check the surface once it's dry before deciding on another round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Old scuffs that have been on the shoe for a while usually need more than one round. Work the same brushing and wiping steps again rather than reaching for something stronger.
Once a mark has dried into the material, it often lightens rather than vanishing completely. On suede, the vinegar treatment is the stronger option, and it should go over the mark only, not the whole shoe. On leather, reach for the eraser or conditioner only after the soap round has failed.
If a mark is still there after two or three careful rounds, accept that some scuffs won't come out entirely. Stop before the material starts to look worn, since more scrubbing can do more harm than the mark itself.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on scuff marks on shoes & sneakers?
Most kitchen remedies don't belong on shoes, and some can damage the uppers. The main steps rely on the mild soap solution alone, and the other options appear only as notes on specific cards for particular marks.
Works1Skip3Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't machine wash shoes
Delicate materials can be damaged in a washer, and bulky sneakers can damage the machine itself. Clean them by hand with the soft brush and mild solution instead.
Don't use bleach or harsh products
Bleach and other harsh cleaning products can damage the material of the shoe. A mild soap solution removes most scuffs without that risk.
Don't use hot water on mesh
Hot water can affect the dye on mesh, which can leave a faded patch. Keep the water warm at most, and stick to the mild solution.
Don't mix cleaning products
Mixing cleaners raises the risk of damage, so use just the one mild solution. If you switch to a suede or leather product, finish the first round completely before starting the next.
When to call a professional
If a mark still won't lift after a couple of careful rounds, stop rather than scrubbing harder. A shoe repair or cleaning specialist can advise on materials that don't respond well to home methods.
Questions
Can I put scuffed shoes in the washing machine?
No. Washing machines can damage delicate materials, and bulky sneakers can damage the machine. Clean the scuff by hand with a mild soap solution and a soft brush instead.
Can I use bleach to get scuffs off white shoes?
No, bleach can damage the material. For white or light shoes, a paste of equal parts baking soda and water is the gentler option.
How long do shoes take to dry after cleaning?
Many shoes need at least 8 hours to dry fully at room temperature. Give them the full time before you judge the result or wear them again.
How do I remove scuffs from suede shoes?
Brush away the surface debris first, then rub the marks with suede rubber or a pencil eraser. The suede shoes section above covers the stubborn stains.
Will every scuff come off?
Not always. Some marks lighten rather than disappear, especially once they have dried into the material. If a mark hasn't lifted after two or three careful rounds, stop before you wear the material down.
Can I use steel wool on scuffs?
No. Steel wool removes some finish and belongs to a different surface, so the soft brush and mild soap solution are the right tools for shoes.
Scuff Marks on other materials
Other stains on shoes & sneakers
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.