How to Remove Yellow Stains from Shoes | Super Easy!

Do your shoes look a bit yellowed? The summer sun can be damaging to all types of shoes; they are particularly susceptible to damage from direct sunlight exposure. If you’re looking to get your shoes looking like new again, here are some tips for how to remove yellow stains from shoes.

Things you’ll need

1. Water and Salt- simple and accessible way to remove yellow stains.
2. Laundry Detergent and Vinegar- not just great for clothes but your shoes too.
3. Cream of Tartar- perfect to use on getting rid of those annoying yellow marks.
4. Baking Soda- go-to cleaning agent for most stains

How to Remove Yellow Stains from Shoes

If you’re someone who wears their white shoes all the time, or if you’re just someone who hasn’t worn their kicks in a while and now they’re yellow, there are a few things you can do to return them to their original glory.

1. Utilizing Water and Salt

The perfect home remedy for ridding those annoying yellow stains on your favorite pair of shoes is Salt. It’s a natural stain remover and works great on leather shoes. 

Just follow these steps:

1. First, grab an old toothbrush, warm water, salt, and a bowl. 
2. Mix the salt and warm water until it forms a paste.
3. Apply to your shoe where you have the stains. 
4. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
5. Finally, scrub away!

2. Using Laundry Detergent and Vinegar Mixture

Use a mixture of vinegar and laundry detergent to remove yellow stains on your shoes. A high acidity level will break down the yellow dye, allowing it to be easily washed out.

If your shoes have shoelaces, take them out before removing the yellow stain on your shoes. 

Just follow these steps:

1. Fill the sink with warm water and add a half tablespoon of laundry detergent and vinegar. 
2. Rub the shoes with a cloth. Clean the top, sides, and insides of the shoes first.
3. Submerge your shoes by at least an inch in the sink with laundry detergent and vinegar mixture. 
4. Let the water sit on your shoes for a minute. 
5. Use a toothbrush to scrub the yellowed parts of your shoes. Use circular motions, dabbing wet bristles into the stained area. 
6. Repeat this for both shoes and let them dry out in the sun or somewhere warm.

3. Using Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar is a well-known kitchen ingredient, with several popular usages. But did you know that cream of tartar also works as a natural stain remover? All you have to do is mix some of the powder with warm water and presto! Your shoes’ yellow stains are gone for good.

Follow the detailed steps below for the optimal result.

1. Fill a bucket or basin with hot water and mix it with a half cup of cream of tartar. 
2. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes to an hour. 
3. Take out your shoes and place them in the solution, covering all the yellow stains on the shoes. Leave the shoes in this solution for at least 24 hours, but you can leave them in longer if you don’t have time to clean them right away.
4. Use a brush to scrub your shoes and get rid of yellow stains. 
5. After you’ve removed all the stains, rinse your shoes with cold water. 
6. It’s crucial that they’re fully dried out, because cream of tartar is an acid and if left unnoticed it can damage the shoes’ surfaces.

4. Utilizing Baking Soda

Yellow stains on shoes can be a pain to deal with, but not if you use baking soda. Baking soda is the key to removing stubborn yellow stains from shoes without having to worry about harsh chemicals getting on your skin or footwear. 

Additives like toothpaste and hydrogen peroxide help to break down the yellowing agents already present on your shoes.

You can eliminate yellowing stains from your shoes using a mixture of toothpaste, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. 

Here is the easy, 4-step process: 

1. Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda, one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, and a dab of toothpaste to create an effective yet cost-friendly cleaning solution. 
2. Apply the mixture on your shoes and scrub using a toothbrush. 
3. Let it sit on your shoes for 30 minutes. 
4. Use cold water to rinse off the mixture.

Watch the video below on how toothpaste and baking soda work on how to remove yellow stains from shoes by Let’s Get Tidy.

How to Remove Yellow Stains from Rubber Shoes

The yellowing of your rubber shoes is a result of one of the worst aspects of nature: oxidation. Most commonly, oxidation occurs outdoors as a result of rainwater permeating into the shoe. Though you can even keep your shoes indoors, oxidation can still occur!

But with the simple tips on how to remove yellow stains from rubber shoes that we’ve listed below, your rubber shoes will be out and about in no time.

Use Toothpaste, Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture

Toothpaste, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide are not only useful for cleaning agents. You can also use these everyday products to remove yellow stains from rubber shoes. 

The toothpaste works best on scuff marks, while baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are tough stain removers.

Follow the simple steps below in using the toothpaste, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide mixture.

1. Wash your rubber shoes with warm water and soap.
2. You can then rinse it in cold water to remove any leftover residue. 
3. After washing the shoes, apply a mixture of toothpaste, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide into the shoe soles.
4. Allow the mixture to sit inside the shoes for 20 minutes. You can also cover it with plastic for the best result.
5. Rinse again and dry indirectly from the sun.

How to Remove Yellow Stains from Running Shoes

If you’re not careful, your running shoes might turn yellow when you wash them. Oftentimes this happens because of bleach used in the laundering process. But don’t worry; there are ways to remove that unsightly yellow color.

Here’s a technique you can try on how to remove yellow stains from running shoes.

Using rubbing alcohol is not only an accessible and easy way to spot treat the yellow stains from running shoes but the fastest method as well.

Follow these steps for great results.

1. Firstly, you can dampen a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub until the stain is gone. Then, rinse with water and scrub away any remaining residue.
2. Set your timer for 10 minutes, and leave the shoes to dry. 
3. If there are any stubborn stains left, dampen a towel with hydrogen peroxide and wipe the stained areas. 
4. If the mark is stubborn or won’t come off, add a small amount directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. 
5. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a mild bleach, breaking down previously-set stains so they can disintegrate easily.

How to Remove Yellow Stains from Nike Shoes

When you’ve been wearing your Nike Shoes all day, you are exposing them to a lot of dust and dirt. Over time yellow stains develop that could have been due to improper cleaning procedures or bleach stains from washing them.

You can check some tricks below on how to remove yellow stains from Nike shoes.

1. Using Brightening Agent

You can use Angelus Sole Bright to remove yellow stains from Nike Shoes. It doesn’t only bring your white midsoles back to life but it revives the color of your Nike Shoes’ surface as well. It’s a safe, easy-to-use solution for yellowing Nike shoes. It is also compatible with other shoe models and glow-in-the-dark shoes.

Follow the directions below.

1. Dampen a cotton cloth with the brightening agent or Angelus Sole Bright, and apply the product to your Nike shoes. 
2. Apply a light/medium layer to the surface of your Nike shoes.
3. You can opt to cover your Nike shoes with plastic wrap to keep the applied brightening solution from evaporating.
4. Leave it to dry and wait for 4-6 hours.
5. Repeat this until satisfied or the yellow stains on your Nike shoes are fully gone.

2. Using White Vinegar

Yes! Your kitchen essential has multiple uses. Aside from being a great ingredient, Vinegar can also get rid of those stubborn yellow stains on your Nike Shoes. 

To know more follow the detailed steps below.

1. Put one tablespoon of white vinegar in a cup, and add two tablespoons of water. 
2. Let your toothbrush soak for five minutes. Then, scrub away the yellow stains with the mixture.
3. Rinse your Nike shoes off with warm water.

Note: If the yellow stains are still visible you can try leaving on the mixture for 20 minutes. Then rub the yellow stain deeply and wash it off with cold water this time.

If you want to know how to clean white shoes that turned yellow, we also made a separate post for that. Go check that out as well if you need more tips on how to remove yellow stains from shoes.

Conclusion

We hope this article is helpful to you and you enjoyed going through the tips and steps on how to remove yellow stains from shoes.

To prevent white shoes from getting yellow-stained, always make sure that they are dry before storing them away in your closet. Also, while you’re out on a rainy day, don’t forget to spray some water-repellent on them. 

If the worst comes to pass and your shoes have stains already, don’t worry, you can always go back here and read on how to remove yellow stains easily.

Remember to leave a comment and share your thoughts below. I would love to hear which method worked best for you and your shoes.

Share this with your friends who suffer the same dilemma too.