It’s obvious that we’re fascinated with white sneakers at this point. However, one aspect of these on-trend wardrobe mainstays that is rarely covered is how to clean white sneakers and keep them looking so fresh. After all, a brief walk to the coffee shop could result in a slew of mud, filth, and oil-related catastrophes. Celebrities, bloggers, fashion editors, and everyone in between, on the other hand, always appear to be wearing the whitest of white best sneakers for men.
How do they maintain the beautiful state of their white shoes? We did some research and came up with some super-helpful tips for keeping those puppies gleaming long after you’ve purchased them. While some of these hacks are obvious, such as cleaning white laces in warm water, we were actually startled by some of the other suggestions. It’s no longer a mystery how to (actually) clean your white sneakers.
There are different types of white shoes:
White Mesh Shoes
Because mesh is so delicate, avoid bleaching it because it will destroy the fabric. Instead, use a sneaker cleaner or a small amount of mild dish soap mixed with warm water to clean your shoes. Brush the cleaner all over your filthy sneakers with a soft brush. When you’re through, rinse your shoes with cold water. If the discoloration persists, spritz the area with white vinegar and let it dry in the sun for about an hour.
Running Sneakers in White
Using a shoe brush or an old toothbrush, remove any filth, mud, or grease. Apply a tiny amount of sneaker cleaner (or gentle laundry detergent combined with warm water) to the filthy sections with a sponge, cloth, or brush. When dealing with stubborn stains, keep repeating the process until the stain is gone.
Canvas Kicks in White
Isn’t it true that everyone owns a pair of beaten-up Chuck Taylors? It’s a good thing they’re made of easy-to-clean cotton canvas. Simply clean them with a lukewarm water-based shoe cleaner and let them air dry. (They will appear darker at first, but after an hour or so, they will be as white as new.)
You may also make your own cleaning paste by mixing baking soda with half water and half hydrogen peroxide. Brush the mixture all over your shoes and leave them to dry for four hours. You can simply shake off the hard portions and wipe away any remaining residue with a soft cloth or paper towel once the mixture has solidified.
Sneakers in White Leather
This is your chance to try out the above-mentioned toothpaste trick. A toothbrush, some white toothpaste, and some warm water are all you’ll need. Scrub any stains or filthy spots away gently. And yes, this seriously works. Trust.
White Soles
Use sneaker wipes or a damp Magic Eraser to remove scuff marks and any streaks of dirt or mud off white soles. Try white nail paint as a beauty touch-up for any flecks of dirt or splotches that just won’t go away.
White Shoelaces
Last but not least, there are the laces. Remove them from your sneakers and hand wash them in warm soapy water (mild dish soap works well), soaking for a few hours before air drying. If your laces are very filthy, consider using the same cleaning agent we recommended above for canvas shoes and letting them dry in the sun for a few hours. Then give it a good shake and wipe away the hardened parts.
What is the best way to keep them clean?
Put your sneakers in the washing machine
This procedure may or may not work for leather or suede sneakers, but it is a viable choice for knit or canvas sneakers. Before putting them in the machine, detergent companies recommend removing surface stains by hand with a toothbrush and soapy water. To avoid being hooked on anything in the machine, they recommend putting shoes in a mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase. You may also place old towels inside the drum to keep the shoes from banging around too much.
Cover scratches with nail polish.
Synthetic leather is commonly used to make white shoes. Although they appear attractive, even slight scratches can leave a visible imperfection. Use white nail paint to hide the scratch. Make sure the polish isn’t too thick and that it blends in nicely with the surface. Nail paint, unfortunately, is not permanent, so you’ll have to reapply it after a time.
Dos and don’ts for using bleach
Most shoe care guidelines recommend a 1:5 ratio of laundry detergent to water, as too much detergent for white shoes may turn them yellowish. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever Brush the shoe’s surface with a toothbrush dipped in detergent, then let it air dry.
There are endless ways to take care of your white sneakers, just find one that works for you.
