How to Remove Grass from Cleats

The Logic Verdict

My Take: Coach Kween keeps his white football cleats game-ready with nothing but a water-soaked Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. The melamine foam behaves like a super-fine sandpaper that lifts the green dye in seconds, so you can restore the factory white without bleach, peroxide, or harsh scrubbing that chews up synthetic uppers.

The Science

Grass stains are mostly chlorophyll and tannins that oxidize and bind to the textured thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that wraps most cleat soles. Magic Erasers are melamine foam, which forms a rigid open-cell lattice. When dampened, that lattice glides like 3,000-grit sandpaper, shaving away the stained outer film instead of dissolving it chemically. Pairing it with plain water limits damage to painted logos or knit uppers while still exposing clean material underneath.

Step-by-Step Removal

1. Knock off loose dirt. Clap the cleats together outside or brush off any dried clumps with your hand so you are only dealing with the green staining that remains.
2. Prime the Magic Eraser. Dunk the block in warm water, squeeze it until it is damp (not dripping), and fold it so you have a fresh edge to work with.
3. Scrub the stained shells. With firm, even strokes, rub the damp eraser over the discolored TPU or rubber panels. Work in short passes like Coach Kween does in the video—two or three swipes in the same direction usually brings the white back.
4. Detail the studs and seams. Use the corner of the eraser or a soft detailing brush dipped in the same water to reach between studs and along stitched seams where grass pigments hide.
5. Wipe and inspect. Follow with a clean microfiber cloth to pick up the green slurry the eraser lifts. Rotate to a new section of eraser if you still see color transfer and repeat until the surface gleams.
6. Air-dry completely. Pull the insoles or loosen the laces so moisture can escape, then let the cleats dry in open air—never on a heater—to prevent warping.

Parts & Tools

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable (Amazon) – Melamine foam delivers the same micro-abrasion that restores the cleats in the video.
• Chemical Guys Premium Microfiber Towels (Amazon) – Soft cloths wick away the loosened dye without scratching.
• Soft Boar-Hair Detailing Brush Set (Amazon) – Reaches into stud plates and lace channels where the block can’t fit.

What NOT To Do

• Don’t soak knit or leather uppers; excess water can delaminate glues and leave salt rings.
• Skip bleach pens or whitening powders—they yellow TPU over time and can burn stitching.
• Avoid stiff wire brushes on plastic shells. They gouge the surface, giving future stains more to grab.

Resources

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable (Amazon)
• Chemical Guys Premium Microfiber Towels (Amazon)
• Soft Boar-Hair Detailing Brush Set (Amazon)