
It’s virtually not possible to maintain white footwear clear 24/7. Irrespective of how vibrant and spotless they have been while you first purchased them, scuffs, stains and spills accumulate over time. Earlier than you realize it, your favourite pair of Converse or Vans are in a less-than-pristine state. However fairly than eliminating your sneakers for good, attempt our straightforward information under on clear white footwear. We share knowledgeable tips about making your canvas, suede and leather-based footwear look model new, together with pointers to forestall dust and dirt from build up.
Throwing your footwear within the washing machine is likely to be the very first thing you consider when it’s time to wash your footwear. However, Carolyn Forté, government director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Residence Care & Cleansing Lab, suggests hand-cleaning them with a fabric or a comfortable brush as an alternative. It’s a mild course of in comparison with a washer’s aggressive cycle. Plus, it’s a greater answer for sneakers, loafers and slippers fabricated from leather-based.
With our easy steps under, we additionally share the most effective products needed to clean your shoes, together with Dawn, Clorox and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. And whereas Forté can’t let you know precisely when it’s time to wash your footwear, she suggests taking observe: “The dirtier they get, the more durable they’re to wash.” Relying on put on, she recommends “washing them each month or so and eradicating apparent spots and stains as quickly as you see them to maintain footwear wanting cleaner longer.”
So, use our step-by-step directions under to carry your white footwear again to life — irrespective of the fabric. And as one other preventative measure, take into account these shoe organizer ideas to retailer your footwear for long-time put on.
Methods to Clear White Canvas Sneakers
To restore white canvas sneakers, like Vans or Converse, again to their vibrant white coloration, observe these steps:
- Untie and take away the shoelaces.
- Use a comfortable brush to take away free dust, together with alongside the rubber edge and tongue.
- Combine a couple of drops of dish soap, like Dawn, right into a cup of heat water.
- Dip a fabric or comfortable brush into the soapy water and gently go over each footwear.
- Clear rubber soles and sides with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
- Moist one other fabric with plain water and wipe the footwear to rinse.
- Stuff the sneakers with white paper towels to soak up moisture and preserve the form.
- Let the footwear dry at room temperature.
Methods to Clear White Canvas Footwear With Bleach
“Bleach or a bleach answer is okay to make use of on white canvas sneakers, however I wouldn’t apply it to leather-based or on the rubber trim, as it might flip it yellow,” Forté says. Clorox shares step-by-step directions on wash your footwear with bleach, which you’ll be able to simply observe under:
- Take away the laces and use an extended brush to take away free dust and soil out of your footwear.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of Clorox Disinfecting Bleach and 1 quart of water in a measuring cup.
- Dip the comb within the answer and gently scrub your footwear in a round movement.
- Wait one minute earlier than spraying hydrogen peroxide on the handled areas.
- Rinse the footwear clear with water.
- If the stains stay, repeat the method.
- Let your footwear dry in a single day.
For robust stains on white canvas footwear: Dip a brush in hydrogen peroxide and scrub. Wipe with a clear, moist fabric and air dry.
Methods to Clear White Leather-based Sneakers
For leather-based footwear — like white Adidas or Nike sneakers — observe an analogous methodology:
- Untie and take away the shoelaces.
- Use a comfortable brush to brush off free mud and dust.
- Combine a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid, like Dawn, right into a cup of heat water.
- Dip a fabric or comfortable brush into the soapy water and gently go over your complete shoe.
- Clear rubber soles and sides with GH Seal Star Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
- Moist a fabric with plain water and wipe the footwear to rinse them.
- Stuff the sneakers with white paper towels to soak up moisture and preserve the form.
- After they dry at room temperature, apply a leather-based conditioner, like Furniture Clinic Leather Protection Cream to assist hold the footwear comfortable and supple.
For robust stains on white leather-based footwear: Dip a moist brush in baking soda and rub gently. Wipe with a clear, moist fabric and air dry.
Methods to Clear White Suede Footwear
In line with Forté, “white suede ought to solely be cleaned with a suede cleaner.” She recommends the KIWI Suede and Nubuck Cleaner. “I wouldn’t danger utilizing any residence methodology and suede shouldn’t get too moist,” she says. However if you happen to’re fearful that your stains have been in your suede footwear for too lengthy, Nike suggests using white vinegar or rubbing alcohol mixed with water. The complete shoe shouldn’t be drenched, however flippantly dampened.
Be aware: Washing your complete shoe in water could cause stains to settle into the material.
Methods to Clear White Shoelaces
So what about these dirty laces? Give ’em a fast spruce with dishwashing liquid earlier than threading them again by:
- Untie and take away the laces from the footwear.
- Soak them in heat, soapy water.
- Rinse the shoelaces with contemporary water.
- Squeeze the surplus water out.
- Lay flat to dry.
Methods to Preserve White Footwear White
To maintain your footwear glowing, guard them in opposition to the weather and take away spots as quickly as they seem:

Contributing Author
Caroline is a author and editor with virtually a decade of expertise. From 2015 to 2019, she held numerous editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, together with as well being editor, masking vitamin, health, wellness, and different way of life information. She’s a graduate of the Medill Faculty of Journalism and goals of the day Northwestern will return to the Rose Bowl.
Assistant Editor
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, the place she covers residence and way of life content material. Mariah has greater than 4 years of editorial expertise, having written for TLC, House Remedy, Ladies’s Well being and Avocado Journal. She obtained her grasp’s diploma in journalism on the Craig Newmark Graduate Faculty of Journalism and revealed her first e book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She’s additionally the founding father of RTF Community a platform for creatives of coloration to attach, study and showcase their work.