Asked on Feb 08, 2015

Cleaning flower pollen

Loni
by Loni
I just got flower pollen on my new white rubber/plastic sandals. I tried dawn detergent, baking soda and lemon, did not work. Can anyone tell me how I can remove the pollen?Thanks!
  10 answers
  • Julie Yeary Julie Yeary on Feb 08, 2015
    magic sponge?
  • Graciana Graciana on Feb 08, 2015
    The foam footbed is porous, so you'll need to scrape it by applying pressure with something with a bit of an edge. A butter knife will work prefectly. Place the shoe down on a sturdy surface like a table or counter top and put a few drops of cooking oil on the spot. Scrape at the spot with the butter knife (not hard enough to damage the foam!). The oil will trap the pollen and keep it from redepositing itself in the surrounding foam. Only scrape 5-10 times and then add a few drops of Dawn to the oil and rinse it off. You will probably need to repeat this process a few times and there may be pollen that is too deeply embedded to reach using this method. If you can't remove enough of it to satisfy yourself, try dabbing some Elmer's school glue on it and letting it dry for a day and then peeling it off. It's water soluble, so if it won't come off or pulling on it is damaging the foam, soak it off in some warm water.
  • DD DD on Feb 08, 2015
    Try putting it outside in bright sunlight for at least 4-6 hours. I've had 100% success removing pollen stains from dry cotton clothing as soon as it happens. Putting water on it will only set the stain. Good luck.
  • Val Dempsey Val Dempsey on Feb 08, 2015
    I have sprayed mine with bleach. Let them sit a while and they come clean.
  • Lyn D Lyn D on Feb 09, 2015
    A litte peroxide and baking soda, I know it does WONDERS for your white/light grout in the shower. Makes it sparkle like brand new :) Moisten it with peroxide and rub some baking soda into it ... let it sit and dry ... then flake or rinse it off. Not sure if it will work, but you could give it a try. Good luck :) Off subject: I see you have crocs, I love my crocs but they rub the skin off my big toe, is it me or does this happen to others? I have wore them 4 times and it does it every time. :(
  • Jane Jane on Feb 09, 2015
    Try a magic eraser...truly works magic. By the way...I have those same sandals...black...very comfy aren't they.
  • Nina Nina on Feb 09, 2015
    Greased lighten !
  • Jayeddi Jayeddi on Feb 09, 2015
    For future reference the best way to treat this pollen first is to remove as much as possible with sticky tape while it is dry, once you wet it it proves impossible on some fabrics.
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Feb 10, 2015
    Plain ol' rubbing alcohol. Works great. You can also toss them in the washing machine with a bleach load, they'll come out great.
  • Loni Loni on Feb 10, 2015
    Thanks for all your suggestions, I am sure one of them will work! Got these in Palm Springs and love them!