# Suggestions for getting out a stain...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 9, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613 "2003-01-09T22:18:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![flood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@flood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flood)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613/1 "2003-01-09T22:18:05Z")

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I recently received a new pair of shoes for Christmas. About a week ago, I went out with some friends and wore these shoes. I didnt notice that some sort of alcoholic beverage was splashed onto my new shoes until yesterday when I was planning to wear them again. The stain isnt really noticeable, but it is there, taunting me. I simply tried to polish the damn things, but its a stain not a scratch or anything, so that really wont work on the leather. I was just wondering if anyone could offer some helpful advice. Thanks 🙂

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**Author:** ![lovelee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@lovelee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lovelee)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613/2 "2003-01-10T01:08:25Z")

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Depending on the type of leather (this won’t worke on suede!) perhaps try saddle soap?

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**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613/3 "2003-01-10T01:50:34Z")

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WAG: Toothpaste, but as it’s mildly abrasive, it may damage. Try it on a hidden part of ths shoe first. This will depend on the ‘depth’ of the stain. ie. How much it soaked in.

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**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613/4 "2003-01-10T15:35:00Z")

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I’ve never known anything to get a stain out of leather. However you could try polishing them a shade darker than the base leather color. (With colored, not clear.neutral polish, natch) This might cover the stain.

Depending on the texture of the leather, a light coating of Neatsfoot oil might permanently darken it. Do NOT try this on suede.

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**Author:** ![smam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@smam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smam)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613/5 "2003-01-10T16:12:27Z")

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Chewing-gum will take that right out, but how to get rid of the chewing-gum is another thing altogether. Perhaps red wine would do it.

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**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2003, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-getting-out-a-stain/147613/6 "2003-01-10T18:37:41Z")

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LOL **smarm**! I think motor oil takes out the red wine…?