How to Clean White Shoes

White sneakers are fashionable and have a clean, bright appearance. Yet, they don’t stay that way very long since they are magnets for even the tiniest bits of dirt. Learn how to clean white shoes using simple techniques to keep them looking fabulous.

There are many types of white footwear, from white canvas sneakers and mesh shoes to suede and leather sneakers, which come in various styles. While each pair of shoes is unique, they all have one thing in common – their stunning white color. There is no color that dirt loves more than white.

White shoes are notorious for attracting all types of filth, from road dust to tough stains, and it’s not long before the whiteness begins to look drab. While cleaning shoes may not always be a top priority, it’s necessary to maintain your shoe’s good looks.

Easy Ways to Clean White Shoes

White sneakers can make or break an outfit, depending on whether they are brilliantly white or dreary. Discover several ways of washing canvas shoes to remove loose dirt or a stubborn stain and restore your sneakers to their original glory.

Best Way to Clean White Shoes

Using water and dish soap is the best way to wash whites and remove everyday filth. It’s safe to use this method on all kinds of shoes, including a leather shoe. Find out how to clean dirty white shoes with mild detergent and water.

Pour eight ounces of warm water into a container, add a teaspoon of mild dish soap, and stir the solution with an old toothbrush. Clean the stains on your shoe with the brush in a circular motion.

Start at one end of the sneaker and work your way to the other while adding more soapy water to the toothbrush as you clean. Once your shoe is dirt-free, wipe the surface with a dry towel and set your shoes in a well-ventilated area to air dry.

Cleaning White Shoes With Baking Soda

Cleaning white shoes with baking soda is a natural way to restore a shoe’s original appearance. You probably have a box in the kitchen. Combine this powder with vinegar to create a cleaning paste that removes even stubborn stains.

Combine the white vinegar and baking soda in a bowl to form a paste. If the mixture is too runny, add an additional teaspoon of powder. Dunk the head of the brush into the paste and apply it to the entire surface of your shoe.

Set your shoes outside in direct sunlight and wait three to four hours as the mixture hardens. Clap the soles of your sneakers together to loosen the dry paste, and use the brush to gently scrub off residue.

How to Clean White Shoes Using Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a good substitute if you don’t have any baking soda, but it’s important to use non-gel paste for optimal results. Learn how to clean white shoes with toothpaste and an old toothbrush, whether you need to clean grass stains from white shoes or they are dingy all over.

Dampen a clean rag with warm water and rub it over the shoe material to get it damp but not wet. Add a bit of white toothpaste to an old toothbrush and apply it directly to the stained area on your sneaker. Spread the paste in a circle over the stain, let it sit for about ten minutes, and wipe away the residue with a wet cloth.

Clean White Tennis Shoes With a Magic Eraser

The most effective method to clean white mesh shoes when you don’t want to make a homemade cleaner is with a Magic Eraser. This cleaning sponge effectively removes all stain types, leaving your shoe bright white.

Dip the corner of the Magic Eraser into warm, soapy water, wring out the excess liquid, and rub the stain remover over the scuffs and dirt on your shoe. Use a back-and-forth motion to clean the material until the stain is gone. Clean the shoe surface with a damp cloth and dry it with a paper towel.

How to Use Bleach to Clean White Sneakers

Safely clean your footwear with a bleach solution. If cleaning white shoes with baking soda doesn’t work, try bleach. It’s vital to dilute the bleach before cleaning your sneakers – only use it on white fabric shoes.

Pour the bleach and water into a plastic container. Place your shoe on a towel and scrub the diluted bleach on the fabric with a cleaning brush. Start at the top and work down each side until the material is clean. Finish by washing the soles to remove dirt and rinse the entire shoe with a wet cloth.

The Easiest Way to Clean White Canvas Shoes

Your washing machine is the best tool for cleaning a pair of white fabric shoes. It’s essential to take precautionary steps to ensure your canvas shoe comes out clean without shrinking. However, you can put Vans® in the washing machine to eliminate stuck on stains without damaging the shoe.

Remove the shoelaces before you clean white shoes in the washer to prevent tangling during the spin cycle. When washing white canvas shoes, set your canvas sneakers in the machine, add your favorite detergent, and clean them with a gentle cycle using cold water. Put the clean shoes in a ventilated area to air dry or dry them in the clothes dryer.

To dry your shoes, put the laces back in and tie the laces together. Hang them on the door when you close it to prevent the sneakers from tumbling inside the drum, which is very noisy and may cause damage. Use the air dry setting and check your shoes every 20 minutes until they dry.

How to Clean White Suede Shoes

Suede is a supple material that requires extra care while cleaning to prevent damage to the nap. Discover some tips for cleaning white suede shoes to remove stains.

Stuff the shoe with a shoe tree or crumbled newspapers to hold the material’s shape as you work. Scrub away loose dirt and remove scuffs with a brush. Use a suede eraser or pencil eraser if there are leftover marks by rubbing it back and forth over the area with mild pressure.

If the first steps fail, apply a suede cleaner to the corner of a clean rag, massage it on the sneaker with a side-to-side motion, and allow it to dry. To treat a sticky stain, like those from oil or grease, sprinkle cornstarch over the affected area, wait a couple of hours, and gently wipe away the debris with a soft cloth.

Tips for Cleaning White Leather Shoes

While leather is durable, it’s susceptible to damage if you clean it improperly. Use gentle cleaners when removing dirt to clean white leather sneakers safely.

Dampen a soft cloth with water and wipe down the surface of each leather shoe to remove excess dirt. Pay particular attention to seams and other areas that trap dust. Get a melamine sponge damp with water and clean the edges of the soles while avoiding the leather portions of the shoe.

Rub a bar of white Ivory soap on a damp microfiber cloth and clean the leather in sections. Start at the toe and work along the sides and heel, using small, circular motions. Rinse the cloth, wring out the water, and wipe the leather surface of each shoe. Buff the sneakers with a soft towel, and set them on a shoe rack to dry.

You may find that this home remedy will get yellow stains out of white shoes, whether on the sole or top of the footwear, too.

Nothing is better than sliding your feet into a new pair of white leather sneakers. Unfortunately, it’s not long before they lose their appeal as they turn from white to off-white and eventually tan or gray. Luckily, there are convenient ways to clean a white sneaker and keep it looking new.

Now that you understand how to clean white shoes with the proper cleaning solution and restore their striking white appearance, why not share our white shoe cleaning tips with your family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook?