How to Remove Scuff Marks from Patent Leather Shoes

September 20, 2007 by TBF

Dear Budget Fashionista,

How does one remove scuff marks from patent leather shoes? I have a cream pair that has brown marks and I have a red pair that has black marks. Do I need to go to a shoe shop??

Answer: Not at all. Head to your local drugstore or Target/Wal-Mart and purchase the cheapest bottle of nail polish remover you can find. Dip a Q-tip in the remover and apply it to your scuff, gently rubbing the mark off.

Note: Also works with regular leather shoes

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caroline

And my marvelous shoe repair man told me to use Windex to clean my patent leather Ferragamos.
http://getglamorous.blogspot.com/ Glam Guide

Three other things which might work and not be so potentially damage-causing as as nail polish remover may be on some materials, try

A) Toothpase. Weird but often works.
B) A regular pencil eraser sometimes works
C) The Mr. Clean Miracle Sponge. Magic.
Kathleen

The best, best way to remove marks from patent leather shoes is to use a kitchen-cleaning product called Glee. As a little Catholic girl who wore white patent leather shoes all spring and summer, and black patents all fall and winter, my Mom and I tried everything. This stuff is the best! You can’t find it in stores any more, so I order it from Johnson & Johnson online.

Graham

WOW!!!, I thought my black leather patent leather shoes were toast; tryed nail polish remover and elbow grease and they are like new.

Carrie

If you want your shoes all scratched up, then us mr. Cleans magic Eraser!, also windex does not work, the pencil eraser does not work. i know because i have tried every one of these sugestions. i will try the biscuts and the Mayo next
Angela

I just used nail polish remover on my tan patent leather stilettos and it totally made the black scuff marks disappear! Thank you!!
Katie

Magic Eraser worked! Small amount of water on the eraser and rub GENTLY!
Sandra

rubbing alcohol!!
J

Thanks for the tip. Windex def worked! I didn’t even have to put pressure to rub it off, sprayed it on, and it instantly came off when I used a Q-tip.
Marla

I just bought a patent leather red Louis Vuitton purse, it had the smallest white scuff mark on it. I tried Windex with a Q-Tip and it totally worked.
Megan

pencil eraser didn’t work, neither did the nail polish remover or hairspray. HELP! I don’t have Vaseline in the house, but I’m going to try the windex……
Rai

i literally just used crest 3D white toothpaste on my pink patent leather shoes and it came right off vs the nail polish remover which did nothing.
Brianna

I tried all of these things and nothing will get the brown scuff mark of my yellow heels.
http://www.thesociallites.net @socialluminary

Hi,

Google directed me to your site. I’m immensely grateful for all the household options. As I’ve mysteriously scuffed my brand new neon yellow pumps this weekend.

I’m going to try the lighter, toothpaste & vaseline first …. if I must I’ll give the rubing alcohol a try as well.

Thanks ladies !
http://techonomia.com Emjay

Thanks for the advice. I had a nasty brown scuff mark on my new beige patent leather shoes. The nail polish removed it, so that it now blends with the shoe. It is slightly yellowed, but barely noticeable. I added a little bit of olive oil for shine afterwards. On a pair of old black patent shoes, it worked better!
Adrienne

THANK YOU!!! Somehow I scuffed my new nude MK patent leather pumps and I was hesitant but desperate too….. A little nail polish remover and a q-tip worked. I barely even touched my pump and the scuff mark was GONE!!!!!!
http://www.twin-tables.com Denise

I have a pair of beige patent leather that were “scuffed” by my pair of RED patent leather. Nothing here helped. Am I just out the shoes??? Or does anyone have suggestions. (It’s not like a scuff but like a paint transfer!)

Papergirl6

Try Windex. I just sprayed some Windex on a couple of white “paint transfer” type scuff marks on a vintage black patent leather clutch and I barely had to rub and the white marks came right off.
Colleen

Did you ever find anything that took the stain out? I am having the exact same issue with my nude pair of patent leather heels that rubbed up against a pair of red patent leather shoes. I have tried the majority of suggestions on this page and nothing has worked so far. I have only worn the shoes a fee times and am hoping I can fund something. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

GGScooter

I just used nail polish on my yellow Gianni Bini pumps and it took the black scuff marks off with little effort. Thanks.
Cathryn

WD-40 works better than nail polish.
Spray small amount on a rag and wipe off.

http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com Kathryn

Great tips (and love your name

Dwimages

The nail polish remover worked for me. Thanks.
Shoes

nail polish remover worked like a charm! rubbing alcohol didn’t.
Debbie D

I just tries the Windex and it made my shoes look good as new.
Eckomylove

Tried the polish remover on my yellow pumps, it lightens but not removed. Hope the others help. Fingers crossed
Beth

Amazing! I had only worn them once and was devastated. Now they look good as new! I did have to rub for a while though, but they are clean again! Thanks for the tip!
sheila

What if they aren’t “real patent leather”?
safrnma

I had white scuff marks on black patent leather, windex did nothing but the nail polish remover did the trick, they look great. Thanks
Papergirl6

After reading this discussion board, I tried Windex first on a vintage black patent leather clutch (from a store that has been out of business since the 60s), and it worked like magic! Not only was I able to easily remove a couple white scuff marks on the black patent leather, but the whole purse looks like brand new. I didn’t even have to try nail polish remover.
S Fields

I used Arm and Hammer Complete Care toothpaste on my orange patent leather pumps and it took a brown scuff off with no problem. I tried the nail polish remover and it did nothing.
Asmaabhyat

Hey there I recently bought a purple patent leather heel and it has scratches and creases any ideas how to remove them?
http://www.facebook.com/thats.bratt Yea Thats B

I Have a Pair of Patent Mary Jane Heels and I Have like a brown scuff on The Heel and The Shoe Part.! what Can I Do To Get It Out? Or Do I Need To Just Buy Another Pair??
Rach

Green Works window cleaner totally got the white scuff marks off of my red patent leather Coach bag. Yay!
Pippi

Oilve oil removed black marks on my nude patent leather heels
Betty

nail polish and q-tip really works. was afraid it would mar the shine, but no. looks great-would never know anything ever happened to them
HM

The nail polish remover worked a treat, thank you!! Great tip x
Christina Silva

Hand sanitizer worked great!!

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Beauty

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How to Remove Scuff Marks from Patent Leather Shoes

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