How to Get Oil Out of Shoes: Leather, Canvas, and Suede

Shoe care specialist Rio Jongsae Kim explains how to remove oil and grease stains

Co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

• Canvas & Running Shoes
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• Leather Shoes
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• Suede Shoes
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• Best Oil-Removal Products
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Oil and grease stains can be tough to remove, but there's no need to panic. In this article, we'll teach you how to get oil out of your shoes in no time, whether you're dealing with surface or deep-set stains. Read on to learn the best ways to clean canvas shoes, leather shoes, and more, with expert tips from shoe care and cleaning specialists.

How do I remove oil stains from my shoes?

Shoe care specialist Rio Jongsae Kim recommends covering the oil stain with cornstarch or baby powder, then leaving it for a couple of hours to absorb the stain. Wipe the area clean with a shoe brush and a damp cloth. If the stain remains, work a drop of dish soap into the area or use a commercial oil remover.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Removing Oil from Canvas & Running Shoes

1. 
   1
   Sprinkle baby powder onto the oil and let it absorb for 5 to 10 minutes. Baby powder works as a grease and oil absorber, so it will help to pull the oil out of the fabric of your shoes. Make sure the stain is completely covered with powder, and let it sit in an undisturbed area for at least 5 minutes.

   • Shoe care specialist Rio Jongsae Kim says that you can use cornstarch instead of baby powder if you prefer.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Rio Jongsae Kim is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada, which has been operating for over 40 years.

   Raymond Chiu is a Cleaning Professional and owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service. He has over 10 years of experience in the industry.

   Alessandra Mendes is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleaning Glow. She has over 10 years of experience in the industry.
2. 
   2
   Use a toothbrush to dust off the baby powder. After the powder absorbs the oil and grease, dust the powder over the sink or onto a paper towel that can be thrown away. Do not rub the powder into the shoe, or you could put the oil back into the canvas.

   • Kim says you can also use a clean boot brush if you have one.
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3. 
   3
   Rub the stain with one drop of dish soap and hot water. If the oil on your shoe was old and had a long time to set in, the baby powder may not have completely removed it. In this case, run a washcloth under hot water and wring out the excess. Pour one drop of dish soap onto the cloth, then gently rub it on the oil stain. Keep rubbing until the stain is lighter or gone.

   • Dish soap is great for removing grease since it is made to break down oil on your dishes.
4. 
   4
   Let your shoes air dry for one day before wearing them. Set your shoes in a cool, dry area where they can air dry for about a day. Try not to wear your shoes until they are completely dry so that they are more comfortable.

   • You can place a balled-up sock inside your shoe so it keeps its shape as it dries.
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Section 2 of 4:

Removing Oil from Leather Shoes

1. 
   1
   Blot the oil with a towel. If you just recently got the stain, you might be able to get most of it out by blotting the area with a paper towel. Gently dab a clean paper towel over the stain to remove as much oil or grease as possible. Do not rub the stain at all, or you could push it further into the leather.

   • If the stain is old, you probably won’t get any grease out this way and will need to use cleaning products.
2. 
   2
   Spray oil remover onto the grease stain. Oil remover is a spray that works well on leather since it penetrates deeply without harming the material. Hold the spray can about 6 inches (15 cm) away from your shoes and coat the stain with the oil remover. Make sure the entire stain is covered.

   • It’s okay if a little bit of the remover gets on an area that does not have a stain.
3. 
   3
   Let the remover air dry for at least 2 hours. Leaving the remover on your shoes will help it fully penetrate the stain and pull out as much oil from the leather as possible. Leave your shoes in a cool, dry area where they won’t be disturbed.

   • If the stain is really old or large, you may need to let it sit for up to 3 hours.
   • If you’re drying leather boots, stuff them with plain white paper to help them retain their shape.
4. 
   4
   Clean off the oil remover with a soft-bristle brush when it starts to crack. You can tell when the remover has absorbed as much of the oil as it can when it starts to buckle and crack on your shoes. Use a toothbrush or a boot brush to gently swipe the remover away. You may need to wipe the remover for a few minutes before it is completely gone.

   • If there is still white residue left on your shoes from the remover, use a damp cloth to gently wipe it away.
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Section 3 of 4:

Removing Oil from Suede Shoes

1. 
   1
   Sprinkle cornstarch on the grease stain. According to Kim, cornstarch works to pull oil out of suede shoes without damaging the material. Cover the oil stain completely with a thin layer of cornstarch. Add more cornstarch to any areas of the stain that are darker than others.

   • Kim says that you can use baby powder instead of cornstarch if you don’t have any.
   • According to cleaning professional Raymond Chiu, you can also use baking soda instead of cornstarch.
2. 
   2
   Let the cornstarch sit on the stain for at least one hour. Cornstarch pulls oil out of materials and absorbs it, making cleanup easier. Leave your shoes in a cool, dry place where they won’t be disturbed for at least one hour.

   • If the stain is large or old, leave the cornstarch on your shoes for up to one week.
3. 
   3
   Brush away the cornstarch with a clean rag. Kim says to use a clean towel or rag to wipe the cornstarch from your shoes gently. Do not rub or scrape the cornstarch, or you could force some of the oil back into the suede. Make sure the cornstarch is completely gone before you wear your shoes again.

   Warning: Never use dish soap or laundry detergent on your suede shoes. You could damage them permanently.
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Section 4 of 4:

Best Products to Get Oil Out of Your Shoes

1. Determine what product works best for the stain you’re dealing with. Different oil stains require different approaches. For example, removing a motor oil stain requires a stronger product than removing a grease stain. So, determine what kind of stain you have and look into products that work well for it. If you’re unsure of what products to use, here are some recommendations:

   • Best all-purpose cleaner: Super Clean
   • Best sneaker cleaner: Greased Lightning
   • Best spot treatment: Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover
   • Best for canvas: Carbona Stain Devils Fat & Cooking Oil Stain Remover
   • Best for set-in stains: OxiClean MaxForce Laundry Stain Remover
   • Best gel: Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel
   • Cleaning specialist Alessandra Mendes suggests using a degreaser to remove oil stains.
   • Once you’ve chosen a remover, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle closely. You don’t want to misuse the product and accidentally damage your shoes!

Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How can I get grease off of leather shoes if I don't have the special cleaner?

  

  Rio Jongsae Kim
  Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

  Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.

  

  Rio Jongsae Kim

  Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

  Expert Answer

  The cornstarch/baby powder method will actually work on leather as well. You can definitely give that a shot if you don't have the leather oil remover.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8
• Question

  Can I leave the cornstarch on instead of brushing it off?

  

  Rio Jongsae Kim
  Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

  Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.

  

  Rio Jongsae Kim

  Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Totally. Let it sit for a couple of hours if you'd like. That will give the cornstarch more time to absorb the oil or grease.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 6 Helpful 1

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