How to Clean White Shoes of Different Materials
There’s nothing quite like a brand-new pair of white shoes. Unfortunately, with white shoes comes the reality that they won’t always look white. Don’t worry, there is still hope! Throughout this article, we’ll discuss how to clean white shoes and keep them from truly showing their age and wear.
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How to Clean White Shoes
1. Method One – White Canvas
Take the laces out of your shoes so that you will be able to access all nooks and crannies. Bring the shoes outside and clap them together to knock off any large chunks of dirt or mud. Use a soft and dry brush, even a toothbrush will do, to remove loose dirt.
Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to create a paste. Cover your toothbrush in the paste and gently scrub the remaining stains and dirt. When you’re done scrubbing, allow the shoes to sit as the paste will harden.
Once dry, brush off the large pieces of paste and remove the rest with a soft cloth or paper towel.
If you have some stubborn stains, use a bleach pen, allow it to sit for five minutes, and then wash the shoes using liquid detergent and hot water.
When it comes to rubber soles, you can use a magic eraser to rid your shoes of scuff marks and dirt stains.
Allow your shoes to dry completely before wearing them.
2. Method Two – White Leather
After removing the shoelaces, mix a cup of warm water with a couple of drops of dish soap. Taking your trusty toothbrush, dip it into your solution and scrub the shoes gently.
Revert to using that magic eraser again for the soles.
While you wait for the shoes to dry, stuff them with white paper towels to help with drying and keeping the desired shape of the shoes.
3. Method Three – White Mesh
Being that mesh can be damaged rather easily, it’s important to use a gentle approach when cleaning these shoes. Similar to the other methods, you will use a soft, dry toothbrush to brush off excess dirt.
Here, you’ll mix some warm water with liquid laundry detergent until the solution is soapy. Using a cloth, you’ll work the solution into the shoes gently, rinsing the cloth as needed in order to prevent spreading the dirt.
If you have stubborn spots that refuse to be removed from your shoes, you can add a bleach pen to the mix to try to remove the stain.
Do not submerge your shoes in water as that can have a negative influence on their shape. Take a clean damp cloth to wipe off the shoes before filling them with white paper towels and setting them to air dry.
4. Method Four – White Shoelaces
Cleaning your shoelaces is a simple procedure. Place the shoelaces in a white lingerie bag and soak them in a bleach solution for approximately five minutes.
For reference, you can use 3 tablespoons of bleach for each gallon of water.
Once they’re done in their bleach soak, you can wash them in the washing machine as you usually would and then allow them to air dry.
5. Method Five – Micellar Water
If you happen to have micellar water on hand, you may be closer to white shoes than you thought! For this method, you can simply pour some micellar water on a soft, clean cloth and gently rub your shoes with it until they are clean.
Now that we’ve covered how to clean white shoes to make them look as close to new again as possible, let’s address some common questions that you may have.
White Shoes Cleaning FAQs
1. Can baking soda clean white shoes?
Yes! If you mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and some warm water, you will find yourself with the perfect cleaner for white shoes.
1 Tablespoon of baking soda
½ Tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide (If you don’t have any, you can skip this step)
½ Tablespoon of warm water (If you don’t have peroxide, double the amount of water you add to 1 Tablespoon)
2. Why do white shoes turn yellow?
The most frequent cause of yellowing shoes is that they have been exposed to the air for extended periods of time and therefore, oxidation has taken place.
3. How often should I clean my shoes?
The answer to this question varies depending on how often you wear them. If you wear them multiple times a week, some suggest performing a deep cleaning approximately every two weeks.
4. Can I use baby wipes to clean my shoes?
Yes, using baby wipes as a method to clean your shoes is a great way to help with spot cleaning.
5. How can I keep my white shoes from turning yellow after I wash them?
To prevent the yellowing of your favorite white shoes, treat them with a protective spray after each time they are cleaned. This helps make them a little more water resistant, but it also helps prevent staining.
Final Thoughts
Having shoes that are a nice, crisp white can be the perfect addition to any outfit. With the tips in this article, you’re sure to be able to not only save your favorite pair of shoes from looking dingy, but you’ll also be able to save yourself some money! Do you have any ideas about cleaning white shoes? Comment below and share your ideas with us! And we also prepare some ways for you to clean your suede shoes for you. After cleaning, remenber to keep your shoes in a right place.