An accidental drop of a ink pen and your favorite pink, rubber boots now have a glaring blue stripe that’s not part of the design. Instead of relegating the boots to the status of work clothes, try a few unconventional cleaning approaches to get the stain out. The good news is that rubber is fairly durable and can really take a scrubbing. Always test a small area of the boots for colorfastness so your pink kicks don’t fade to white.
Step 1
Spread a layer of newspaper on a flat surface and lay the boots on top.
Step 2
Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol onto a white cloth. Avoid using colored cloths as the color may transfer onto the surface of your boots as you clean them.
Step 3
Look at the boots and locate an area that is the same color as the ink-stained area but in an inconspicuous location. Good locations are the bottom of the boot or near the heel.
Step 4
Dab the cloth soaked with alcohol on a tiny portion of the boot and let it sit for five minutes. Examine the area for discoloration and if none exists, proceed with the stain removal process.
Step 5
Pour another 1 to 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol onto the cloth to redampen it.
Step 6
Place the cloth over the ink stain and let it sit for 20 to 30 seconds.
Step 7
Wipe the boot gently with the cloth, avoiding harsh rubbing.
Step 8
Lift the cloth up and turn it to a section that is not ink stained. Apply more alcohol and continue wiping the ink stain until it no longer remains.
Step 9
Dampen a cloth with water and 1/2 teaspoon of a gentle liquid soap.
Step 10
Wipe all surfaces of the boot thoroughly with the cloth to remove the alcohol residue.
Step 11
Dry the boot with a clean towel.