How to get tar off shoes?

Here is what you need:

• Old/disposable knife
• Paper towels/wet cloth
• Automobile tar remover
• Leather conditioner

Then do this:

• Scrape off any large clumps of tar using a plastic knife.
• Use a suede brush to remove any tar residue.
• Apply small amounts of leather cleaner and gently scrub on the affected area to remove any stains.
• Wipe off any remaining stains and cleaner using a wet cloth and let your shoes dry properly, away from direct sunlight, in a cool place with good ventilation.

I've successfully removed tar by using items similar to what has been suggested; however, I used Dawn dishwashing detergent as the tar remover and an old toothbrush to scrub the tar away. Not a pleasant task but it is doable.

Hi Zack, hope this helps you out.

Scrape the tar with a plastic knife and then applying a spray like WD40 or rubbing alcohol to remove the remaining tar and then wipe off using a tissue paper.

Fuel (petrol), lamp oil, turpentine oil, or WD-40 or rubbing alcohol.

Take a piece of cloth and dip it in any of the above mentioned liquids. Now blotch or rub it over the stain in circular motions until the stains are vanished.

We always use diesel fuel to remove tar and then a leather conditioner to bring back the luster. Leather Honey works really well.

Scrape off as much as you can and then scrub with a little Dawn Dish soap.

I would scrape it off with something gentle, like a plastic spoon, and then try something like peanut butter, Dawn soap or veggie oil to remove any residue. The only consideration with any of these products is that they might discolor your shoes...I would consider the material as well. Soft fabric sneakers or a hard leather might be fine, but a suede or soft leather might be discolored or damaged.

Try a disposable plastic picnic knife. Use its sharp edge to scrape off as much of the tar as possible, taking care not to gouge or scratch the upper part of the shoe. If a little tar still remains, apply some degreasing dish detergent and scrub with a toothbrush dipped in warm water. Rinse the sole thoroughly.

WD40 is the only way to go ! Hope you can get your shoes clean

I just learned that spraying sun screen onto the tar will remove tar or gum. Just spray on, wait a few minutes and then use a paper towel and toothbrush to remove the tar or gum. Yay!

tar comes off easiest with a heavy-duty laundry detergent or dish liquid. With some scrubbing, these solutions can often completely remove tar stains

We were on a beach in the Bahamas once..when tar floated in and coated ,blotchy patches, on our feet and legs. Locals gave us mayonnaise packets to clean it off! Guess it follows the rule, " like removes like".. oily!

Mayo was safe for our skin. Not sure if it would leave oily mark on leather.but it was something we will never forget😄😄

Hi Zach! You can pour rubbing alcohol onto a clean rag and lay it on the tarred areas of your shoes. Leave it in place for a few minutes as the alcohol begins to loosen and dissolve the sticky tar, and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the stickiness away from the material. Repeat until the stain is gone.

I can always count on great advice. I read through your suggestions and have managed to get a fair amount of tar off my shoes, thank you!

This guide might help out: https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-tarasphalt-from-shoes/