how to Clean White Sneakers

How to Clean White Sneakers: 3 Simple and Effective Cleaning Tips

Have you ever been troubled by the cleaning problem of white shoes?

Whether they are sneakers or canvas shoes, white shoes are always easy to get dirty and yellow, and it is difficult to clean them.

Don't worry, today we will share 3 cleaning tips, which are simple and practical so that your white shoes can be as good as new after washing.

Preparation before cleaning

Remove Laces and Insoles

Start by removing the laces and insoles from your sneakers. This allows you to clean each component thoroughly and prevents any potential damage to the shoes' structure.

Remove Laces and Insoles from sneakers

Shake Out Loose Dirt

Give your sneakers a good shake or gently tap them together to dislodge loose dirt and debris. You can also use a soft brush to sweep away surface dirt.

Spot Test

Before applying any cleaning solution, do a spot test on a small, inconspicuous shoe area to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or damage.

Cleaning white Sneakers

Alcohol cleaning method

Alcohol is a powerful disinfectant and cleaning agent with good sterilization and cleaning effects.

It not only kills bacteria but also evaporates quickly, making the cleaning process more efficient.

Using alcohol to clean shoes can help us remove stubborn dirt and odors.

Clean white Sneakers with alcohol

Tools and materials needed: 70% alcohol, cotton balls/cotton cloth, paper towels, clean cloth

Pour alcohol on cotton balls and wipe the stains on white shoes with cotton balls.

Be careful to wipe gently to avoid excessive force that may cause wear on the shoe surface.

clean sneakers with 75% alcohol

After waiting for the alcohol to evaporate, gently wipe the surface of the shoes with a clean cloth to remove the remaining stains and alcohol.

wipe sneakers

Repeat the above steps until the shoes are clean.

Tips: Alcohol has a bactericidal and disinfecting effect, which can effectively remove stains and bacteria on the surface of shoes. But it should be noted that the concentration of alcohol should not be too high, otherwise, it will damage the surface of the shoes.

Toothpaste cleaning method

Toothpaste has a good cleaning effect and can effectively remove stains and bacteria on the surface of the shoes. At the same time, toothpaste also has a whitening effect, which can make the shoes whiter.

clean white sneakers with Toothpaste

Tools and materials needed: soft brush/toothbrush, white toothpaste, basin, clean water.

Squeeze toothpaste onto the toothbrush and gently wipe the stains on the white shoes with the toothbrush. Note that you should wipe along the texture direction of the shoe surface. For stubborn stains, you can brush them several times.

Put the shoes in a basin, add an appropriate amount of clean water, and soak for 5-10 minutes.

remove stains from sneakers

After rinsing with clean water, wipe the surface of the shoes with a clean towel.

Wrap the entire shoe surface with a paper towel and place it in a cool and ventilated place to dry naturally.

The reason why toothpaste has excellent cleaning ability is that it contains abrasives, fluoride, and other decontamination ingredients.

It can be used to clean various stains and dirt, and naturally, it can also easily remove stains on shoes. Moreover, it will not cause damage to the material of the shoes.

Baking soda cleaning method

Baking soda is a commonly used item in life. In addition to meeting your daily needs, it also has a super cleaning effect.

Clean White Sneakers with baking soda

Specific steps

Tools and materials needed: baking soda, warm water, basin, soft brush.

Take a basin of warm water, add 5 spoons of baking soda, and stir evenly to fully dissolve. Soak the shoes in baking soda water for about 10-15 minutes.

Use a soft brush to gently scrub the stains on the surface and sole of the shoes.

Be careful to scrub gently to avoid damaging the surface of the shoes.

brush white sneakers

When all the stains are removed, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the surface of the shoes with a clean towel.

Tips: Baking soda has a strong decontamination ability and can effectively remove stains and bacteria on the surface of shoes. At the same time, baking soda has a relatively fine texture and will not damage the surface of shoes.

wash white sneakers

However, it should be noted that the pH value of baking soda's aqueous solution is high and may cause damage to shoes made of certain materials, so it is best to test it before use.

Removing Stubborn Stains from sneakers

Stubborn stains can be frustrating, but with the right techniques, you can tackle them effectively.

There is a combined cleaning method that is suitable for shoes made of most materials. No matter what stains, it can be easily removed and is simple and efficient.

Baking soda, toothpaste, and dishwashing liquid, a solution for all shoes.

These ingredients are common household items and are easy to obtain.

Remove Stubborn Stains from sneakers

Prepare a Cleaning Solution

Prepare a small bowl, pour an appropriate amount of baking soda into the bowl, squeeze in a small piece of toothpaste, then pour in a little detergent, and add clean water to stir and dilute.

Dip a toothbrush in the prepared solution and brush your shoes, for stubborn stains, brush several times.

dip a solution to brush sneakers

Finally, rinse the shoes thoroughly under running water to make sure there are no stains or detergent residues left.

rinse sneakers with running water

Remember to wrap the entire shoe with paper towels before drying it to prevent it from turning yellow. Finally, put it in a cool and ventilated place to dry, avoiding direct sunlight.

air dry sneakers

If your white shoes have turned yellow, this method can also restore your shoes to their original state.

The advantage of this method is that it can not only effectively remove stains and make the shoes look brand new but also cause less damage to the uppers and have a whitening effect.

If you encounter particularly stubborn stains, you can use a toothbrush to brush several times to achieve better cleaning results. ‌This method is suitable for white shoes made of various materials, including leather and canvas, and is an economical and practical cleaning method.

How to clean yellowed white sneakers?

When your beloved white shoes turn yellow for various reasons, it not only affects the appearance but also makes people feel embarrassed. There is a simple and effective way to help you easily restore the whiteness of your shoes and make them look like new.

clean yellowed white sneakers

Toothpaste cleaning

Remember to use white toothpaste. Using other colored toothpaste will re-stain your white shoes.

Toothpaste is a cheap and effective cleaning product that not only removes stains from shoes, but also whitens yellowed white shoes. It is a great cleaning agent.

clean yellowed white sneakers with toothpaste

First, remove the laces and insoles, and wipe the shoes inside and out with a damp towel.

Squeeze a little toothpaste onto a toothbrush and repeatedly wipe the yellowed areas, especially the edges of the shoes, as this is the most easily contaminated area. If necessary, you can squeeze out more, but not too much, otherwise there will be some residue.

Rinse with clean water, wrap with a wet paper towel, and place it in a cool and ventilated place to dry naturally.

wrap sneakers with a wet paper towel

Once dry, your shoes will be like new.

These methods are simple and practical and do not require complicated steps or expensive materials to make your shoes look brand new. Why not try these tips to restore your shoes to whiteness and shine again!

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