To get tar off shoes, harden it with an ice pack, scrape off as much as you can with a blunt plastic edge, then dissolve what is left with cooking oil, petroleum jelly or WD-40. Finish by washing the area with dish soap to remove the oily residue.
In this guide
Tar and fresh asphalt are oil-based, so water alone does nothing. The method is always the same: lift off the bulk first, then use an oily or solvent product to break down the stain.
What you need
- An ice pack or ice cubes in a plastic bag
- A plastic scraper, old bank card or blunt butter knife
- Cooking oil, petroleum jelly or WD-40
- An old toothbrush and clean cloths
- Dish soap and warm water
Step-by-step: removing tar from rubber soles
- Harden the tar. Hold ice against it for 10 to 15 minutes, or put the shoe in a bag in the freezer for an hour. Cold tar turns brittle.
- Scrape. Chip off the hardened tar with the scraper. Use a toothpick or old toothbrush for the grooves in the tread.
- Dissolve the residue. Rub cooking oil or petroleum jelly into the remaining tar, or spray on WD-40, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Scrub and wipe with the toothbrush and a cloth. Repeat if a film remains.
- Wash with dish soap and warm water to remove the oil. This matters on soles, because an oily sole is slippery.
- Dry with a towel and leave to air.
Related: How to Hide Shoelaces: 5 Clean Ways to Lace Sneakers
What to use on each material
| Material | Safe to use | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber soles | Oil, petroleum jelly, WD-40, dish soap | Leaving oil on the tread |
| Smooth leather | Petroleum jelly or a little cooking oil, then leather cleaner and conditioner | Acetone, petrol and other harsh solvents |
| Canvas and mesh | Dish soap worked in with a toothbrush; a small amount of WD-40 followed by detergent | Hot water, which sets the stain; too much oil, which leaves its own mark |
| Suede and nubuck | Freeze and pick off, then a suede eraser and brush | Oils and liquids, which stain permanently |
Leather uppers
After freezing and scraping, rub a small amount of petroleum jelly into the mark with a cloth and wipe away. Clean the area with a damp soapy cloth and apply conditioner. See how to clean white leather shoes for the full routine.
Canvas and fabric uppers
Scrape off the bulk, then work dish soap into the stain with a toothbrush and cool water. If a shadow remains, apply a little WD-40 to a cloth, dab the stain, and follow straight away with liquid detergent to remove the oil. Then wash as normal; our canvas shoe cleaning guide covers this.
Suede
Freeze the tar and pick it off carefully, then use a suede eraser and brush. If a stain remains, a professional cleaner is the safest option. See how to clean suede shoes.
Safety and common mistakes
- Test any product on a hidden area first.
- Work in a ventilated space when using sprays or solvents, away from flames.
- Do not use petrol, paint thinner or acetone on shoes. They can dissolve glue, strip colour and damage synthetics.
- Do not use heat to soften tar; it spreads the stain into the material.
- Do not walk indoors until the soles are clean, because tar transfers to carpets and floors.
Frequently asked questions
Does WD-40 remove tar from shoes?
Yes. It dissolves tar well on rubber and smooth leather. Wash the area with dish soap afterwards, and avoid using it on suede.
Will cooking oil really work?
Yes. Tar is oil-based, so vegetable or olive oil softens and loosens it. It is slower than a solvent but gentle on most materials.
Does tar come off by itself?
Not completely. It hardens, collects grit and can keep marking floors, so it is worth removing.
How do I get tar out of deep tread?
Freeze the shoe, flex the sole to crack the tar, and pick it out with a toothpick before using oil on what remains.
