What Can I Use To Clean White Shoes

How To Clean White Shoes With Micellar Water

Best for: Leather, plastic and soles of shoes.

If youre short on time or on the go, theres not always the opportunity to dedicate much time to cleaning your white shoes. Enter micellar water: the handy beauty essential that can also work wonders on lighter marks and scuffs. A step up from tap water, the USP of micellar water is that it contains micelles, tiny little particles that attract dirt like a magnet. Theyre a smarter choice than, say, baby wipes, which often contain oils that can make the marks worse.

Step 1

Start by removing any surface dirt. Pour a little micellar water onto a cotton pad. It is always best to start with a small amount, and you can saturate the pad further if needed.

Step 2

Gently wipe across the surface of the shoe, focusing on the areas that need the most TLC. This method works particularly well on leather or plastic, as well as the soles of shoes.

How To Clean White Shoes With Toothpaste

Sure, it whitens your teeth but can it whiten your shoes? Believe it or not, it can. However, youll need to stay away from colored toothpastes, which can stain white shoes even more. The bonus here is that you know your cleaning agent is gentle you use it in your mouth, after all.

To clean white shoes with toothpaste: Use a non-gel white toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Similar to the method of cleaning white shoes with baking soda, youll apply the toothpaste to your dirty shoes, working in circular motions on your extra-dirty spots. Once you have worked the paste into the fabric of the shoes, let it sit for about ten minutes. Use a damp towel to wipe the toothpaste off your shoe repeat the process if necessary.

Cleaning White Canvas Sneakers

It is not recommended to put canvas shoes into a washing machine and dryer due to their tendency to shrink. However, if your shoes are a little too big to wear comfortably, the washer is one of the best ways to shrink shoes.

Cleaning Toms and the best way to wash Vans and other canvas style shoes may seem tricky at first, but it is possible with the right cleaning solution and a bit of your time. You probably have all the ingredients you need in the kitchen or bathroom.

• Toothbrush

Mix the vinegar and baking soda into a smooth paste. To wash sneakers, dip the toothbrush into the mixture and scrub the shoes in a circular motion with the bristles of the toothbrush to remove dirt and stains. Be sure to scrub the tongue, too, as this area is sometimes neglected in cleaning and it gets dirty, too.

After a thorough cleaning, let the shoes air dry. Putting them out in the sun is even better, as sunlight adds to the cleaning power of this recipe. Once the shoes are dry, clap them together to remove any loose dust and baking soda.

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White Shoes In Other Materials

As you might imagine, white shoes arent only available in canvas and leather. Theres plenty of white and off-white suede on the market, and white nubuck is popular for footwear in the summertime too.

It should come as no surprise that these shoes get really dirty really quickly. In the case of a classic American shoe like white bucks, for example, a touch of dirt adds a bit of character, and no one should give you a hard time if your originally-pristine white shoes eventually turn a light cream color.

Theres a fine line between character and grossness, though. If your shoes look gross, you need to do something about it.

While we certainly invite you to take a look at our page on caring for suede shoes for some guidance, white suede can be a tricky animal, and you may end up doing more harm than good. Thankfully, even if your DIY instincts got the best of you, you can always take your shoes to a cobbler and, more likely than not, undo any damage.

How To Clean White Leather Shoes

White leather shoes can be easier to clean than some materials because they dont absorb as much water. But you still have to go easy so you dont damage the leather. Heres the best way to clean white shoes made of leather to get them looking new again:

• Remove the shoelaces and the insoles, wash them in the sink with baking soda, rinse, and let them air dry.
• Dampen a white cloth and wipe down the outsides, soles, and tongues to remove dirt and debris.
• Rinse the cloth well and wring it out.
• Use a toothbrush and baking soda to gently scrub away stains.
• Dab your damp cloth on some Ivory soap and gently scrub the outside of the shoes.
• Rinse the cloth and wipe off the sudsy residue.
• Use a damp Magic Eraser to get the soles white and bright, then let your shoes air dry.

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Prevent Stains Before They Happen

Before you wear your white shoes for the first time, be sure to use a shoe protectant that is both stain and water-resistant. Doing so will keep your shoes looking clean and fresh. Choose a protectant spray that is made for use on your shoe material. You dont want to use something ineffective or worse, something that will discolor or do damage to your shoes. You will need to reapply the protectant spray every couple of weeks or so, depending on how often you wear the shoes. Lots of people swear by Crep Protect and the reviews are really good, but as with any shoe protectant, be sure that it is made for use on your specific shoe material.

Try A Dedicated Shoe Cleaner

If youre serious about your sneakers, buying a designated shoe cleaner is your best bet. Different shoe stores often sell their own versions . Adrian Campana, the regional manager for Livestock footwear in Toronto emphasizes that people should look for natural cleanershe likes Jason Markks Premium Sneaker Cleanerso harsh chemicals dont wear away your shoes.

Dalton Jackson, founder of Canadas Sole Exchange: The Ultimate Sneaker Show, likes Canadian brand Moneysworth & Bests gel cleaner, which he says is amazing for removing dirt and grass stains.

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White Shoes & Maintaining Them

If theres one thing we love about the summertime, its white shoes. Theyre flashy and have a ton of pop regardless of the trousers youre wearing. As you can only get away with wearing them for about three months out of the year in most places, theyre the footwear equivalent of a culinary delicacy.

They also get dirty really, really easily. And, white being white, attempts to clean it can result in doing more harm than good. Whats the best way to clean white leather shoes?

You will need:

• A brand new soft cotton cloth, preferably white
• An unused horsehair shoe brush
• White or neutral shoe cream

This Hack Saves Your White Shoes If They Are Yellowing

Did you accidentally wash your white shoes incorrectly, and now they are yellowing? This can happen with canvas or mesh materials, and it can be heartbreaking. If you are on the verge of throwing out your white shoes because they have yellow stains, then you might want to try this super easy hack as a last-ditch effort.

Denture tabs thats right. Good ole Polident can save your white shoes from yellowing and restore them to their clean white condition.

Youll need:

Dissolve six denture cleaning tabs in a sink or bucket of hot water. Once the tabs are fully dissolved, add your shoes in and let them soak. How long they soak is up to you and the results you are seeing. A woman who tried this on her white Converse did an overnight soak. Her results were amazing.

You will want to use a toothbrush or cloth to scrub out tough stains. Rinse with water and let air-dry.

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Which One Is Better To Use

Our experts did a simple test and survey of which one will be better to use for cleaning your white shoes based on these 9 factors, shown in the table below. Remember, weve put the result based on the most better solution of the test. For example, Bleach can be found at a very cheap price but that doesnt mean Baking soda is pricey, its just bleach is the most cheaper solution in the overall situation. We found that Baking Soda is the better solution overall for white shoe cleaning.

We feel that both bleach and baking soda have advantages, but we would go with baking soda if we had to select one.

In a nutshell, baking soda is less expensive, more effective, and convenient than bleach. We can say this with confidence because of the survey and test weve conducted plus our personal experiences throughout the years.

How To Wash White Shoes With Detergent And Baking Soda

This is a variation on the above for canvas shoes but using detergent instead of bleach. Mix one and a half tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of detergent and mix together with a toothbrush. Scrub the canvas sneakers with the mixture using the toothbrush and leave for 20 minutes. Thoroughly rinse the surface of your shoes with clean water and then leave to dry.

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How To Clean White Converse And White Vans

When it comes to canvas shoes, prepare for a substantial amount of scrubbing. Dirt and grime can easily work their way into the woven material, making them harder to remove. There are ways to make it slightly easier, though. Heres how to clean white shoes that are made of canvas.

• Prepare your shoes by inserting a shoe tree in place, removing any shoelaces, and brushing away any loose dirt.
• Next, mix together some baking soda and laundry detergent. We recommend a 1:1 ratio to avoid adding water to the mix. Instead of a paste, youll be using powders to lift and remove stains.
• Using a shoe cleaning brush or an old toothbrush, apply the powder onto the stained areas. The abrasiveness of the powder, combined with the brush should help you scrub away any dirt stuck in the canvas.
• If there are leftover stains, clean them up with baking soda and white vinegar Follow the same 1:1 ratio until it forms a paste. Apply this onto the problem areas and let it sit for an hour or so before rinsing.
• Depending on how tough the stain is, you might need to repeat the same process a few times. Do make sure to dry your shoes between each round of cleaning.

How To Clean White Sneakers

A comprehensive guide to restoring your shoes to pristine condition.

Chuck Taylor sneakers, $70, converse.ca

Whether its Stan Smiths or classic Converse, white sneakers are a wardrobe staple. Sadly, those sparkling kicks can turn dirty fast. But dont worryfrom the rundown on DIY remedies to tips on reviving your old shoelaces, our exhaustive guide to cleaning white sneakers is here to show you how to restore your shoes to pristine condition.

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How To Clean White Fabric Shoes

Fabric shoes are some of the most common. Youll find them in different styles such as sandals, pumps, ballet flats, and sneakers. If you thought simply tossing these in the washing machine is the best option, think again! Doing so can damage your shoes and render them useless. Instead, heres how to clean white shoes made out of the fabric by hand.

• Start by prepping your shoes for cleaning. Make sure you also cover sensitive parts that you dont want to get wet, such as the heels on your pumps or any metal hardware on your sandals and flats.
• Next, mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with a cup of water. Transfer this to a spray bottle if you have one.
• After, simply spray this mixture onto the stains that you want to be removed. You can also use an old toothbrush to gently scrub any stubborn marks left.
• Once youre happy with the result, leave your fabric shoes to air dry somewhere sunny. Doing this will actually help boost the bleaching power of lemon juice and make your white shoes brighter.

So How Can I Get My White Shoes White Again

There are several methods to bring white shoes/sneakers back to life again. The first step is to remove any caked on debris, or mud using a soft brush*. Next you want to remove the shoelaces and clean those separately. Depending on the shoe, you can machine wash or hand wash your shoes. Below are specific instructions for how to do each method. Most methods include creating a cleaning solution made from household items you most likely have on hand. Next you want to let your shoes air dry, do NOT put them in the dryer.

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Or Try A Brush To Get Out Tough Shoe Stains

After applying your chosen cleaning product to your shoes, brushes can help scrub out the stains better than an ordinary cloth. Hardie believes the key to shoe maintenance is using the right brush and cleaner. For example, toothbrushes are fine for the soles, but they might pill the upper part of your shoe. Campana recommends buying softer brushes for your uppers, such as the Jason Markk Premium Sneaker Brush, which is made of a gentler hog bristle.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

However, it is worth noting that prevention is always better than cure. The best thing you can do to keep your white shoes clean is by treating them with a stain and water repellent treatment the moment you get them home. Most shoe shops sell leather protectors or fabric protectors, just ask when you hit the checkout.

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Wipe Down With Plain Water

Remove laces, insoles, and embellishments. Dip a cotton or microfiber cloth in plain water and wring to remove excess water. Wipe down the entire shoe, paying extra attention to seams and areas that have trapped dust and dirt. Move to a clean area of the cloth as the soil is transferred. Allow the shoes to dry for at least 15 minutes.

Take Help Of Toothpaste

• Rub a wet cloth against the surface of your shoes to make them slightly damp.
• Get your shoes slightly damp but not soaking wet so the toothpaste can foam up.
• Toothpaste works well on fabric, mesh, or sneakers.
• Rub a pea-sized dab of toothpaste with a toothbrush in small circular motions focusing mainly on the darker stained areas on your shoes.
• Make sure to use a non-gel white toothpaste as other colours might stain your shoes.
• Wipe off the toothpaste and dirt with a wet cloth.
• Make sure to remove all of the toothpaste off your shoes so that there is no mark.
• Allow your shoes to air dry for 2-3 hours.

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What To Use To Clean White Shoes

One of the must-haves for cleaning your white shoes is an old toothbrush, which can help you target hard-to-reach smudges. Use it to scrub your white shoes with just warm water and soap, and youll likely make a quick difference to the condition of your shoes. But if that doesnt work, know that a variety of household items such as baking soda, bleach, baby powder, or even toothpaste can all potentially help you get your stained shoes white again.

An important piece of advice: Never, ever put your white shoes or sneakers in the washing machine with the rest of the laundry, or even in the wash by themselves. Doing this can possibly make the stain and discoloration of white shoes even worse. More importantly, it can cause permanent damage. You may notice tears, loose threads, or a breakdown in your shoes leather or fabrics in short, your shoes may never look the same again after that wash. Our vote: Skip it.

Lemon Juice Isnt Just A Natural Source Of Vitamin C

When using this natural bleach, always dilute it with a bit of water. The most effective ratio is two tablespoons of lemon juice with a cup of cold water. You can then apply this to your shoes using a spray or by using an old toothbrush. Use a circular motion when rubbing it in. To further boost the bleaching power of lemon juice, leave your shoes under the sun for a few hours to let it soak through.

If the usual homemade solutions arent working as well as you hoped they would, you can always turn to commercially available cleaning products. There are ones specifically made for shoes and you can also use multi-purpose ones that pack a bit more punch when it comes to cleaning white shoes. Here are a few of our recommendations:

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Enjoy Those Clean White Shoes

I did a lot of research on how to clean white shoes of all kinds, so I hope that you found some useful information here. Of course, you could always go the route of getting a commercial shoe cleaner, but I really love finding homemade options for the tasks in my home, and cleaning shoes is no different. I dont own a lot of white shoes because Ive always felt Im not good at keeping them clean, but I learned that I am not alone in these thoughts. Now that I know how to keep white shoes looking their best, I may just go out and get that white pair of Converse Ive been dying to have! Happy shoe cleaning!