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White shoes can easily get dirty even if you’re not doing anything special. They require a lot of care and maintenance which is why I prefer black shoes over white ones no matter how stylish they look.
However, I have had white shoes in the past, so I can teach you how to clean white sneakers in no time. In today’s article, I will share different cleaning solutions including baking soda, soapy water, toothpaste, and bleach. If you’re interested in learning how to make your white sneakers look new, read on.
What Is The Best Way To Clean White Sneakers?
First and foremost, gather the following tools that will help you in the cleaning process. They’re available in local stores and don’t cost much. And perhaps you already have some of these tools at home.
Shoe trees
Shoe trees can help you maintain the shape of your white sneakers while you’re cleaning them. You can either use traditional shoe trees or stuff your shoes with some old t-shirts and rags or newspapers.
Crep protect wipes
Get some crep protect wipes that will help you clean sneakers at all times. They’re sold individually and can come in handy if you’re in a hurry and don’t have the time to use any cleaning supplies.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser makes a great tool for cleaning all those firm surfaces on your sneakers. Any type of melamine sponge will do the job as they all have the proper level of abrasion to remove dirt.
Toothbrush or nail brush and some dish soap
A nail brush or soft toothbrush can help you gently scrub away dirt whereas a dish soap such as Dawn or Generation Dish Liquid can help you clean your white sneakers without causing any damage.
OxiClean
If your shoes have some heavy and stubborn stains on your canvas shoes, OxiClean can help you remove any grime. Now, let’s learn how to clean different types of white shoes with these tools.
Cleaning White Leather Sneakers
You won’t have a hard time cleaning leather white sneakers because they’re the easiest to clean. If you purchased Crep Protect Wipes, just grab a fresh one and use the soft side of the wipe to gently buff out any scuff and marks. If you’re dealing with stubborn stains, use the textured side of the cloth.
If you didn’t purchase Crep Protect Wipes, use a Magic Eraser. It will get the job done. However, use the product gently because it’s quite abrasive. I would also suggest that you remove the laces so you can get those hard-to-reach spots. Finally, make sure they’re completely dry before you put them on.
Cleaning White Canvas Sneakers
Canvas sneakers like Supergas and Chuck Taylors aren’t as easy to clean as leather shoes because grime gets into the fabric. The good thing is that canvas can handle a substantial amount of cleaning, so stains can be easily removed with some elbow grease.
First, you want to mix some water and dish soap. Then, grab a toothbrush. Dip the toothbrush in the mix and start scrubbing your canvas shoes in circular motions. When you’re finished, wipe them down with a clean damp towel to remove any remaining suds.
I strongly suggest that you let canvas shoes dry between cleaning rounds. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see how much dirt stays behind. If your canvas sneakers have stains, try using a stain remover such as OxiClean or Tide. They can do wonders for stains.
Cleaning White Knit Sneakers
Knit sneakers like Primeknit by Adidas or Flyknit by Nike provide excellent stretch and comfortability but they’re difficult to clean. The worst part? If you scrub too hard, you can destroy the fabric.
Remember to be very gentle with your knit white sneakers. First, dip a clean cloth in warm soapy water. Then, scrub your shoes in the direction of the knit. That way, you will maintain the structure of the shoe. Finally, wipe off any residue. You can also use something stronger such as stain removers if needed.
And since you shouldn’t scrub knit as strongly as you would other materials, use a light touch. Lastly, let them dry before wearing them again. They’re not impossible to clean but require extra care.
Cleaning White Suede Sneakers
Cleaning suede sneakers isn’t a breeze because suede is a delicate fabric that gets dirty and stained very easily. You’ve probably noticed most white suede sneakers don’t have a real white hue but they still can get dirty very easily. Don’t fret because I will teach you how to clean your suede shoes easily.
Grab some white vinegar, a pink pencil eraser, a soft cotton cloth, and a suede brush. Start by blotting. Blot your suede shoes with a soft cotton cloth to help remove any moisture. Then, scrub any stains with your pink pencil eraser. Add a paper towel onto any damp stains and don’t scrub but press hard.
Never rub the stains or dirt. Otherwise, they could spread across your shoe and make things worse. Dip a soft cotton cloth in white vinegar and run any leftover dirt gently. Once you’re done, let your shoes air dry. Finally, rub the exterior of your shoes with a suede brush to get their velvety texture back.
Final Touches
Last but not least, wet a Magic Eraser to clean the midsole of your white sneakers regardless of the type of material.
Use it to scrub the corners of the sole at the bottom of your shoe at the end of your cleaning process. If you have other cleaning tips for white sneakers, drop them in the comments below!
How To Clean White Shoelaces?
You can easily clean white shoelaces with a few ingredients like 1-gallon water, 3 tablespoons of bleach, laundry detergent, and a white mesh lingerie bag.
You will also need rubber gloves for protection. Otherwise, bleach can damage your hands. Remove the shoelaces and add them to a white mesh lingerie bag. Then, soak the bag in bleach for about 5 minutes. Use 3 tablespoons of bleach for every gallon of water.
Finally, remove the shoelaces from the bleach and throw them in the washing machine. Utilize a regular detergent. Let your shoelaces air dry for 24 hours.
Can You Put White Sneakers In The Washing Machine?
You can wash white sneakers in the washing machine.
However, before you do so, remove the laces and insoles. Wash the shoelaces separately in a pillowcase or separate bag to prevent them from getting tangled in the washing machine.
Then, utilizing laundry detergent, run the washer on a cold delicate cycle. Finally, let your white sneakers air dry. Also, don’t put your white sneakers in the dryer or near any heating body.
Otherwise, the heat can damage the glue and cause damage.
How Can I Make My White Sneakers Shiny?
If your white sneakers aren’t white and shiny anymore, don’t fret. You can easily fix this issue with some baking soda, Marseille soap, lemon, and water.
Mix these ingredients together and gently scrub your white sneakers with a sponge. Finally, rinse with a clean, dry towel and let your white sneakers dry in the open air.
You can easily clean your white-soled sneakers with non-gel white toothpaste. Avoid colored toothpaste because you may stain instead of clean your white-soled sneakers.
Add some toothpaste to your toothbrush. Work the toothpaste into the dirty areas. Give the toothpaste 10 minutes to act. Then, wipe it off with a wet towel.
Final Tips
Everyone has at least one pair of white sneakers in their closet. However, despite how stylish, versatile, and amazing they look, white sneakers get dirty and stained very easily.
Hopefully, today’s guide can help you learn how to clean white sneakers with ease. If you have other DIY cleaning solutions or methods, please drop them in the comments below!
I would like to finish off with some tips on how to store your white sneakers and keep them looking new and fresh at all times. Without any further ado, let’s check out these tips.
Protect right out of the box
The secret to keeping white sneakers looking new is to add a shoe protector as soon as you unbox your white sneakers. The spray creates a transparent layer that protects your shoes from everything. Opt for a shoe protector that repels liquids and doesn’t damage your sneakers’ material.
Store your white sneakers properly
Microscopic dust is always floating around, especially indoors. Therefore, you should keep your sneakers in shoe boxes or bags. Otherwise, they will collect these particles, which will eventually affect the overall appearance of your white sneakers.
Deep clean regularly
Last but certainly not least, deep clean your white sneakers regularly to ensure dirt and dust don’t build up. Otherwise, they will pile up and make the cleaning harder. If you’re wearing your white sneakers 3-4 times a week, I highly suggest a deep cleaning every 2 weeks.
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