White shoes look effortlessly cool, stylish, new and fresh—until they don’t. To clean them is a hectic. Whether it’s white sneaker, canvas shoes, or leather kicks, they have one major flaw: they get dirty really quick.
Accidental spills on your pairs:
From dusty roads to accidental coffee spills or tea spills, your favourite pair is always under threat. But don’t worry! Cleaning white shoes isn’t a rocket science. With the right steps and household items, you can bring back their sparkling charm once again.
In this blog, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to clean white shoes, keep them looking fresh, and extend their lifespan. Let’s dig in.
How to Keep White Sneakers Looking Like New?
Before we get into cleaning methods, it is important to talk about prevention from dust. If you want your white sneakers to stay clean, you need to care for them at regular intervals. Here’s how you can keep them clean:
- Protect Before You Wear:
Use a good-quality shoe protector spray that repels water and stains. Apply it before you wear your shoes for the first time and reapply every couple of weeks and months. - Avoid Wearing Them in Bad Weather:
Rain, mud, and white shoes? Not a good mix .Try not to wear them during monsoon season. - Clean the spot Frequently:
Don’t wait for them to get really dirty. Clean small stains as soon as they appear using a damp cloth or gentle wipes. - Store Them Properly:
Keep your white shoes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration or yellowishness.
With a bit of effort and care, your white sneakers can look brand new for a longer time.
Best Ways to Clean White Shoes
When your white shoes inevitably get dirty, there are several cleaning methods depending on the material. Here are some of the best ways to follow which can bring your shoes back to life:
Bring your shoes back to life:
- Use a Soft Toothbrush:
A soft or old toothbrush which is not in use anymore is perfect for scrubbing shoes gently without damaging the fabric. - Soap and Warm Water: Mix little amount of detergent with hot water and scrub around the surfaces.Than clean with a cloth.
- Magic Eraser for Soles:
Scuffed white soles? A sponge can work wonderful for cleaning shoe surface. Dip in water and rub the surface or even with magic eraser. - Laundry Machine (with Caution):
For fabric shoes like canvas or mesh, you can use a washing machine. Put in a washing bag and set a gentle cycle. Air dry them afterwards. - White Toothpaste:
Only Non-gel white toothpaste is a great quick fix. Rub it on dirty areas, let it sit, and than wipe it off with a damp cloth.
While these methods work for most shoes, white canvas shoes need a little more attention—and a special DIY trick using a baking soda and vinegar.
How to Clean White Canvas Shoes with just Baking Soda & Vinegar
White canvas shoes—like Converse or Vans—are classic. But they also soak up dirt fast. Thankfully, you can make them look new again using just baking soda and vinegar, two ingredients you probably already have at home.
Let’s break it down step by step:
Remove Loose Dirt
Before you start scrubbing, remove all loose dirt on the shoe:
- Take off the laces and tap the shoes together to remove or knock off dust.
- Use a soft-bristled brush (or even an old toothbrush works) to remove surface dirt.
- For deep corners or seams, use a dry brush to remove anything stuck.
This helps prevent the dirt from turning into a muddy mess when mixed with water or any liquid.
Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar Into a Paste
Now comes the magic cleaning paste:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar,and
- 1 cup of warm water
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until it turns into a foamy paste.
- Dip the toothbrush into the paste and gently scrub your canvas shoes around all the surface.
- Focus on stained areas and keep doing in circular motions.
Once scrubbed , let the solution sit on the shoes for more than 25 minutes.
Clean Rubber Soles
While the paste works great on canvas, rubber soles need a slightly different approach:
- Use a mix of baking soda and a few drops of water to make a thicker paste.
- Apply to rubber areas and scrub with a old toothbrush or sponge.
- You can also use a magic eraser if stains are very stubborn.
After cleaning, rinse with hands using water and cloth to rub. Let your shoes air dry in a well-ventilated area—preferably out of direct sunlight to prevent yellowing.
2 Steps To Box-Fresh Your White Sneakers
Want your sneakers to look box-fresh every time? With only two methods it can be kept as new and clean:
1. Regular Spot Cleaning
Don’t wait for your sneakers to look dirty overall. Catch the dirt early as you see:
- After every few wears, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe them down.
- For fabric or canvas sneakers, use a soft brush with a mild soap solution.
Even 5 minutes of quick cleaning goes a long way in preventing buildup of dust.
2. Use Sneaker-Specific Products
If you’re serious about keeping your kicks crisp all the time, invest in sneaker care products:
- Shoe Cleaner Kits: Many brands like Jason Markk, Crep Protect, and Reshoevn8r and many more brands offer full kits with cleaning solutions and brushes.
- Sole Whitener or Paint: If your midsole is yellowing, than use sneaker paint or a sole brightener to refresh it.
- Odor Removers: Use deodorizing sprays or inserts to keep them smelling clean and fresh.
Keeping your shoes looking new is as much about maintenance as it is about cleaning.
“Tangled and stained? Clean Your Shoelaces by the Right guide!”
Shoelaces cleaning is also very essential to improve the look of shoes. A cleaning guide for laces is provided. Dirty or stained laces instantly make fresh sneakers look worn out and old. Luckily, cleaning them is super easy, and it can make a big difference too.
Step 1: Remove the Laces
Take the laces out. This helps you clean them more thoroughly and prevents the shoes from getting soaked or stained during the process of washing.
Step 2: Brush Off Loose Dirt
Use an old unused brush for cleaing the dust on the laces. This helps the detergent work better during washing them.
Step 3: Soak in a Cleaning Solution
Mix warm water with a small amount of laundry detergent or dish soap in a bowl or bucket. Submerge the laces and let them soak until foams disappear.
Optional Boost:
Add a tablespoon or two of baking soda or a little white vinegar for extra stain removing power only if you wish to.
Step 4: Scrub if Needed
After soaking, gently rub the laces using your hands or a toothbrush to remove any remaining dirt or stains .Scrubbing by your hand is more efficient.
Step 5: Rinse & Dry
Rinse the laces thoroughly under cold water to remove any soap remains. Then, squeeze out the excess water and hang them to air dry or hang on the rope. Avoid using a dryer, as it may cause shrinkage or fraying of laces which in turn will dull the look.
Pro Tip: Want super crisp laces? After drying, you can iron them lightly under a cloth or reshape them while damp .They will be as new.
Final Thoughts
White shoes might be high-maintenance, but the style payoff absolutely worths it all. Whether you’re rocking sleek white leather sneakers or comfy canvas kicks, taking time to clean and protect them ensures they stay fresh, sharp, and ready to go wherever and whenever life takes you.
Remember, a few basic tools like baking soda, vinegar, a toothbrush or old unused brush, and some regular care can keep your white shoes shining like new for longer time. With these simple tips and tricks, you’ll never fear stepping out in your favorite white pair again.
Tip: Want your white shoes to stay crisp even longer? Rotate your footwear and avoid daily wear on the same pair. It not only preserves them but also keeps your style fresh and always ready to wear.