How To Clean White Shoes?
QUICK ANSWER
Clean white shoes by brushing off dirt, then scrubbing with a baking soda and water paste using a soft brush. For machine washing, remove laces and insoles, place shoes in a mesh laundry bag, wash on cold gentle cycle. Air dry stuffed with paper. Never put shoes in the dryer.
White shoes are notoriously hard to keep clean since every speck of dirt shows. The good news is white shoes (canvas, leather, mesh) all clean up well with the right approach. Many can go in the washing machine for a deep clean. Some need hand cleaning for delicate materials. The dryer ruins shoes regardless of material. Here is the method for each type plus the safe machine washing approach.
What kind of white shoes do you have?
Different white shoe materials need different cleaning. Canvas sneakers (Converse, Vans, Keds): durable, machine washable, easy to clean. Leather sneakers (Air Force 1, Stan Smith, Common Projects): hand cleaning preferred to preserve leather. Mesh athletic shoes (Nike, Adidas runners): machine washable but air dry only. Suede shoes: special suede cleaning, never machine wash. Knit shoes (Flyknit, Primeknit): machine washable on delicate. Plastic or rubber white shoes (Crocs, jelly sandals): wipe with damp cloth. The general rule: canvas and mesh wash in the machine, leather and suede do not.
What is the basic cleaning method?
For all white shoes (start here before machine washing): remove laces (wash separately). Brush off loose dirt with a dry brush or old toothbrush. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon laundry detergent, and a bit of water. Apply with an old toothbrush, scrubbing in circular motions. For really dirty areas, add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the paste (lightens further on whites). Wipe clean with a damp cloth. For canvas shoes, this is often enough. For leather, follow with a leather conditioner to restore moisture lost during cleaning.
Can you machine wash shoes?
Canvas, mesh, and knit athletic shoes: yes, in the washing machine. Remove laces and insoles. Pre-clean obvious dirt with a brush. Place shoes in a mesh laundry bag (or pillowcase tied closed) to protect them and the washer. Wash on cold gentle cycle with mild detergent. Add a few towels to balance the load and reduce noise. Skip fabric softener. Leather, suede, and structured dress shoes: never machine wash. The water and agitation deform the leather and damage the structure permanently. Athletic shoes with significant leather portions also generally hand clean better than machine washing.
How do you brighten yellowed soles?
White rubber or plastic soles often yellow over time from UV exposure and oxidation. To brighten: make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Apply to the soles with an old toothbrush. Wrap the soles in plastic wrap and place in direct sunlight for 4 to 6 hours; the UV plus peroxide reaction brightens the rubber. Unwrap, wipe clean, rinse. For really yellowed soles, repeat the treatment. Alternative: use a sole sauce product (Reshoevn8r, Sneaker Lab) formulated for sole restoration. For severe yellowing on valuable shoes, professional restoration services can replace soles entirely.
White shoes clean up well with baking soda paste plus brushing for spot cleaning, or machine washing in a mesh bag for canvas and mesh shoes. Air dry stuffed with paper to maintain shape. Never put shoes in the dryer. For yellowed soles, baking soda plus hydrogen peroxide plus sun exposure brightens the rubber. Leather and suede shoes need hand cleaning only. With consistent care, white shoes stay looking close to new through many wears.
More Stain Removal Questions
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?
Mystery Question?