Cleaning White Tennis Shoes With Bleach
This cleaning process is an ideal method for use on white fabric tennis shoes. It is essential to use this cleaning method in an area that has proper ventilation and that you do not overdo it with the bleach.
Applying too much bleach to your shoes while cleaning them could cause them to turn yellow. Following proper shoe care by using these instructions will restore those sneakers to brand new.
- Nitrile gloves
Wearing the nitrile gloves to protect your hands from irritation, carefully mix the warm water and bleach in a container. Remove the shoelaces and insoles. Dip the old toothbrush into the bleach solution and gently scrub the shoes in a circular motion to loosen grime.
Begin at the fabric and work your way to the soles. Rinse the shoes under a faucet of cold water and allow the shoes to air dry.
Cleaning white shoe strings can be done in a mesh bag in the washer or you can scrub them with the solution above to get them nice and bright again.
Rinse Before Placing In Washer
If the shoes are muddy, rinse them off with a hose to prevent the dirt from clogging your washer. Pretreat any heavily stained areas by working a bit of laundry detergent directly into the canvas using a soft-bristled brush. Soles that are heavily soiled can be cleaned with a melamine sponge .
After rinsing and pretreating stains, put shoes in a mesh laundry bag. Then take these steps when using a washing machine to clean white canvas shoes:
Can I Just Put My White Running Shoes In The Washing Machine
This method is only recommended for fabric or flyknit shoes, and you should put them in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase before running your shoes through a delicate cycle. Bediones removes the laces from her shoes first for a better clean, and Hardie suggests taking out any removable insoles first. Just as you can with any laundry load of whites, you can throw in a little baking soda to whiten your shoes even more. Bediones recommends washing a maximum of two or three pairs at a time.
While machine washing shoes is much easier than hand cleaning, it comes with caveats. Never put your shoes through the dryer, and always dry them indoors. Sunlight is your enemy, says Hardie, as white soles can turn yellow in the sun. Campana further warns that throwing your sneakers in the washing machine will greatly decrease their lifespan, so use that cleaning method sparingly.
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How To Make Shoes White Again
With all of these methods, make sure you start by removing any big chunks of dirt with a soft brush, clean out the treads and remove any shoelaces. That way, no matter how you make shoes white again, the cleaners can go to work on the tough stuff.
Machine washing
Hand wash with baking soda
Hand wash with all-purpose cleaner
Considerations Before Cleaning Your White Shoes

There are a few important aspects to take into consideration before you start any of the cleaning protocols below.
The first step in cleaning your white shoes should always be to remove the excess dirt. The best way to do this is to brush it off while it’s drygetting dried dirt wet will turn it into a muddy mess.
Leather shoes need a different cleaning and whitening method than canvas. Knit or mesh materials like those found in some athletic shoes also need special consideration, so take note of what your shoes are made of to figure out the best way to clean and whiten them up.
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Removing Stains With Toothpaste
You buy yourself a new pair of white shoes, and youre feeling quite stylish. By the end of the first day of wear, they are still white except for that one glaring smudge. This cleaning method is perfect for removing those small stains and scuffs from your white shoes.
- Soft cloth
Wipe the shoes down with a damp, soft cloth to remove any loose dirt. Lightly spray the shoes with water to wet them without soaking them. Put a fingertip-sized amount of toothpaste directly onto the heavy stains and scuff marks.
Brush the paste into the stain with a toothbrush using circular motions. Let sit for ten minutes before wiping the area with the damp cloth. If you are running short on time, shoes air dry faster when sitting in the sun.
You dont have to continually replace those white tennis shoes just because theyve gotten dingy or stained. Using the right sneaker cleaner will help those kicks stay bright and new day after day. The key is to use household cleaning products such as vinegar, soap, bleach, and baking soda to keep shoes in tip-top shape.
Now that youve learned some DIY tricks for getting dirt stains out of white shoes and turning them into clean white shoes, the next step is to deodorize shoes to get rid of that old shoe smell.
Maintaining kids shoes is a challenge within themselves. These tips are especially handy for keeping childrens shoes looking and smelling like new. Youll never have to buy new shoes again!
How To Clean White Sneakers Everything You Need To Know
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Im just going to say it. I never realized how bad dirty white sneakers looked until I was well into adulthood. And now, I shutter at all those scuffed, cracked, and overall dismal sneakers thrown into the back of my closet without any attempt to be cleaned.
But, there is hope for all you dirty white sneaker collectors out there. White sneakers are a classic staple to any wardrobe. Whether you opt for a classic converse, an athletic mesh white sneaker, or a trendy pair of Airforce 1s, your white sneakers deserve to be revived.
Before we dive in
Lets first start off with a metaphorical finger-wagging that we all let our white sneakers get this bad! But, going forward, I would be remiss if I didnt mention you can also prevent this kind of thing.
Prevent your shoes from dulling by using a stain and water repellant treatment before* you even wear them out. I like this one.
we may earn a commission from you clicking a link in this post at no additional cost to you. Its how we create so much content for free. full affiliate policy, here.
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Using Bleach On Your White Mesh Sneakers
You can use bleach to wash your white mesh shoes in the washing machine, but theres not a lot of science to back it up. In fact, bleach can damage the delicate fabric.
If you have a stubborn stain that wont come out using the other methods that weve listed here, you can try using bleach at your own risk.
How To Clean White Shoes
- Working Time: 15 – 30 mins
- Total Time: 5 – 6 hrs
- Skill Level: Beginner
White shoes are everywhere in the fashion world. There are white slippers, white fabric shoes, patent leather, vinyl, and suede shoes available during every season, and white leather and canvas sneakers are chosen for both style and comfort. While they can be a statement piece, white shoes can be difficult to clean and hard to keep that way.
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How To Wash Gym Shoes
This article was co-authored by Carroll Kelly. Carroll Kelly is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Austin Shoe Hospital in Austin, Texas. With over 37 years of experience, Carroll specializes in sustainable shoes, boots, belts, handbags, and luggage repair. Carroll graduated with a Bachelors degree from the University of Texas. Austin Shoe Hospital is a family-run business that started over 105 years ago from a single horse-drawn carriage. Today they are the largest and most recognized shoe repair company in the world. This article has been viewed 185,652 times.
Ridding your gym shoes of their dirt and smell is as easy as throwing your shoes in the washing machine. Using care to prepare your shoes for the wash, putting them into the washer on the correct setting, and allowing shoes to air dry will leave you with gym shoes that are like new.
What About The Soleshow Should I Clean Those
Uppers and soles attract dirt differently, so it can be helpful to use a different product to clean them more thoroughly. Ferguson recommends Sneaker Rescue wipes, which are all-natural and work on all parts of your shoe but are particularly good at getting scuffs off soles. Alternatively, since soles are tougher than uppers, you can just scrub scuffs away with any kind of brush.
Keds sneakers, $60, keds.com
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How To Clean White Sneakers
Some people think white sneakers look their best when theyre beaten up and worn in. Others know that you never scuff up a pair of pristine Jordans . If you do want to clean your sneakers, the effort required depends on the material of the shoes. But at the very least, you should be able to get them looking a little less grimy.
How To Clean White Shoes And Get Them Looking Like New Again

Asking how to clean white shoes might seem like a straightforward question, but the fact is, depending on price and material, dirty white shoes can be a conundrum. After all, you dont want to risk damaging them, but you also dont want to walk around with a fresh stain on one of the best running shoes.
Luckily, weve taken the time to do the research for you and weve listed the best methods below for cleaning white shoes. The good news is you might already have what you need at home. Whether your shoes are leather, canvas or mesh, heres how to clean white shoes.
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Treat Your Leather Shoes With All
It is essential to keep the leather clean and hydrated to avoid cracks and color altering. All you need to ensure the good white leather condition is
- Conditioning cream to moisturize the leather, keep it soft and shiny
- Natural Oil for Leather to revive older leather shoes that have not been cared well
- Boot Wax for a layer of waterproof protection.
Choose products with natural oils without silicone and petroleum products that are harmful and lead to premature leather aging.
Always follow manufacturer label instructions. Do not put whitening solutions on colored parts of the shoes.
What You’ll Need To Clean White Shoes
The first item that should be on your list of must-haves for cleaning white shoes is a toothbrush. Using a bristled toothbrush is an easy way to get to those hard to reach places. Use light and straightforward motions to brush away the dirt and add some pressure for stubborn stains. Youll need warm water and soap to get the dirt out, but if that doesnt work, youll need to add bleach, toothpaste or baking soda.
One thing that you should never do is throw your shoes into the washing machine. If you throw them in with laundry or even by themselves, youll make the stains even worse, or permanently damage your shoes. The cleaning motion of a washing machine is harsh on shoes, whether leather or canvas and can cause tears, leather breakdown and loose threads. Throw your white shoes in the washer, and theyll never look the same again.
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How To Clean White Tennis Shoes
They often made running shoes and white tennis shoes with mesh, rubber, foam, and other synthetic materials. Since machine washing can be rough on synthetics, you can often make your shoes last longer and stay whiter by hand washing them.
- Take out the insoles and shoelaces, wash them in the sink, and let them air dry.
- Use a toothbrush to remove excess dirt and mud from the shoes, soles, and tongues.
- Add two tablespoons of clothes detergent to a bowl of warm water.
- Scrub stained areas with baking soda and a toothbrush.
- Dip the toothbrush in the bowl and start scrubbing, but be gentle when youre scrubbing a mesh area so you dont rip a thread.
- Scrub off scuffs and stains from the soles with a Magic Eraser.
- Use a clean damp cloth to wipe down the shoes and remove any residue.
- Let the shoes air dry and enjoy that new white shoes feeling once again!
So now you know how to clean white shoes and keep them looking good. Want to learn more about how to get rid of dirt, stains, and germs around the house? Check out our extensive library of DIY cleaning and disinfecting guides. Whether you tackle dirt and germs on your own or let us help out with one of our popular residential cleaning services, The Maids wants every home to be a clean and healthy place. Find out about affordable, flexible house cleaning in your neighborhood when you get your free estimate.
Using White Vinegar And Baking Soda
Vinegar is a common household item with antibacterial and cleaning features, as well as the ability to deodorize. Baking soda has a whitening effect and is especially good for oily stains. For cleaning white shoe soles, vinegar and baking soda are always mentioned first. The following steps will show you the best way to clean white shoe soles with these two ingredients:
- Step 1: Mix vinegar into water with a 1:1 ratio, then add one spoon of baking soda to the mixture.
- Step 2: Wipe the shoe soles with a clean towel dipped in the mixture.
- Step 3: Allow the mixture to stay on the shoes for a few minutes, then wipe it away with a moist cloth.
- Step 4: Check if the yellow stains on the soles have faded and repeat the wiping until youre satisfied.
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Clean White Canvas Shoes With Simple Ingredients
Having a reliable method for washing Converse and other canvas and suede shoes is essential if you want a clean and neat appearance. Can you wash Vans? Yes, you can wash these shoes and there are many different cleaning approaches you can use.
Which one you select comes down to whether you clean your shoes by machine or hand. Its a good idea to have a go-to method for both options.
Clean Them While Theyre Dry
If your sneakers have picked up dirt and dust while on the road or the trail, you can try cleaning them without wetting them. This technique wont work for liquid stains, such as ketchup or coffee, but it might freshen them up quickly between uses if they have just picked up some environmental residue.
You dont want to scrub so hard that you make the material fray. Therefore, use a soft brush and a gentle touch. You should take this step to remove loose dirt particles before washing your shoes with anything else.
This video shows how gently you should scrub the shoes with the brush.
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Make A Diy Shoe Cleaning Solution With Vinegar And Water
If you dont want to shell out for shoe-cleaning products, Toronto shoe store Getoutsides special request manager Giselle Ferguson recommends scrubbing dirt off with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Apply the solution with a cloth, and gently scrub away. She says this method can work on any material but that it works best on leather.
Classic White Trainers You Need In Your Wardrobe

Veja trainers have had the stamp of approval from both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
So there you have it, ShoeSpa‘s professional advice on how to clean white trainers at home.
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