(Photography: Getty Images)
White sneakers are comfortable, practical, and versatile. They can be coordinated with any outfit and are acceptable for almost any occasion, from party attire to office wear. But it isn’t always easy to clean white shoes.
They look a million bucks when you first wear them, but all it takes is that first little scuff, and suddenly, those once-fresh sneakers look a little grubby.
We have some handy hacks that’ll have white shoes looking like new again in no time.
What is the best way to clean white shoes?
It is worth noting that prevention is always better than cure. The best thing you can do to keep your white shoes clean is to treat them with a stain and water repellent the moment you buy them. Leather protectors or fabric protectors can be purchased easily online or in store.
1. Cleaning white sneakers with baking soda and detergent
X (formerly Twitter) user, @sarahtraceyy, shared before and after cleaning pictures of her white Converse shoes along with instructions on how she did it. And the best part? You probably have all the ingredients you need in your cupboard.
What you need:
- Baking soda
- Detergent
- Toothbrush
DIY instructions for how to clean white sneakers
Mix 1:1.5 parts baking soda and detergent. Scrub the mixture onto your shoes with a toothbrush. Rinse and put shoes in the washing machine – just make sure you remove the laces and inner soles before washing them in the delicate setting. Add some towels to the wash to balance the load and to stop the shoes from banging against the drum.
2. Cleaning white shoes with a Magic Eraser
Another way to get white shoes clean again, particularly if they have grippy rubber soles like Converse, is to use a little cleaning tool called a Magic Eraser. This little cube of white foam can remove almost any mark, just add water and start rubbing!
3. Cleaning white shoes with baking soda and vinegar
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and a cup of water. Use a cloth or old toothbrush to scrub your white fabric sneakers until clean. This also works on leather and canvas. This method also apparently works with 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1/2 a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide/water combo. Use a toothbrush dipped in the mixture to scrub the shoes, wait 30 minutes for the baking soda to work its magic, then rinse with water.
4. Cleaning white sneakers with micellar water
Micellar water is a revolutionary makeup remover product, and it also clean shoes! Just pop some micellar water on a clean cloth and give your white sneakers a good rub down. Works on leather, rubber and suede finishes.
5. Cleaning white sneakers with toothpaste
If it’s good enough to keep your teeth white, then it’s good enough to keep your kicks clean. Add some white-gel toothpaste to an old toothbrush, add a little water and scrub the dirty area of your leather, canvas or mesh shoes, then wipe away excess with a damp cloth.
6. Cleaning white shoes with toilet paper and water
This method is best for canvas shoes that – despite undergoing other methods of cleaning – still have yellow marks on them. Soak sheets of toilet paper with water and cover your sneakers with the paper like Papier-mâché. Leave to set and dry for 12 hours. Peel of paper and – voila! clean white shoes sans yellow marks.
Top cleaning products to clean white shoes
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