Clean White Shoes

White shoes look so nice when they are clean and crisp. However, you must know how to keep your white shoes clean in order to maintain their stylish appeal. White shoes can be cleaned by hand or in the washing machine, depending on the material.

Steps

Cleaning By Hand

  1. Fill a wash basin with warm water. Make sure that the water is not too hot to touch. You can use a sink or bathtub if a wash basin is unavailable.
  2. Wipe the shoes with a soapy cloth. Completely submerge the cloth in the warm water until it is soaked. Lather a liberal amount of soap on the cloth. Rub the soapy cloth on the white parts of the shoe.[1]
    • Dawn dish soap or laundry detergent are good soaps to use to scrub white shoes.
  3. Scrub the shoes with a brush. Using a stiff bristle brush, thoroughly scrub the white parts of the shoes. Concentrate your efforts on any stains that need to be removed.[1]
    • A magic eraser can be used for really stubborn stains. Be sure to always wear gloves when using a magic eraser.
    • Some people have had success using toothpaste as an abrasive. Just apply with a soft brush, like a toothbrush, in circular motions.
  4. Rinse the shoes. Dip a clean cloth into fresh, non-soapy water. Wipe the soap from the shoe’s surface.[1]
  5. Lay the shoes out to dry. On a clean towel, lay the shoes out to air dry. Stuff your shoes with clean, white, paper towels. The paper will absorb the water and decrease the drying time. This will also help to hold the shoes’ shape as they dry.[1]

Using a Washing Machine

  1. Spot treat tough stains. Use a soft cloth or brush to gently remove obvious dirt and debris from the surface of the shoe. Spray a stain remove, such as Shout, onto the stain. Lightly brush the stain with a bristle brush.
  2. Remove the laces. Before washing your canvas shoes, remove the shoelaces. Shoelaces can be washed in the washing machine with like colors.[2]
    • Do not place the shoelaces in the washing machine with the shoes unless the shoelaces are white. The dye from the shoelaces can transfer to the white shoes.
  3. Place the shoes and laces in the washing machine. Add a small amount of laundry detergent. Wash your shoes in warm water. Avoid placing the shoes in the washing machine with clothing or other shoes.[2]
    • Check the label on the inside of the shoe for cleaning instructions. The label should tell you if the shoes are washing machine safe.
  4. Toss the shoes in the dryer or let them air dry. A clothes dryer will dry your shoes faster. Check the cleaning instructions inside of the shoe to verify that it is safe to put your shoes in the dryer. If not, lay your shoes out on a towel to dry. [2]
    • When letting your shoes air dry, stuff your shoes with clean, white, paper towels. The paper will absorb the water and decrease the drying time.The paper will also help hold the shoe’s shape as they dry.
  5. Relace your shoes. Only relace your shoes once the shoes and shoelaces have completely dried. This is especially important if your shoelaces are not white. The dye from the shoe laces can transfer to the white shoes when the fabrics are wet.[2]

Dealing with Suede Shoes

  1. Brush out any dirt. Use a suede cleaning brush to gently brush everything off. Make sure to brush in the same direction and do not go back and forth.[3]
    • You can find a suede brush cleaner at a shoe store or online.
    • For areas that don't respond to the brush, try scraping the area with a knife to lift the nap.
  2. Remove scuff marks. The suede brush can now be used in a back and forth motion to removed scuffed areas. Scuff marks can also be removed by using a suede eraser, which can also be found as a shoe store or online.[4]
    • Never use a stain remover to remove stains or scuff marks from suede fabric.
  3. Remove water stains. To remove the water that can discolor suede, apply a light coat of water with a nail brush. Use a sponge or clean, dry cloth to soak up excess water. Be careful not to let the water dry before removing it from the suede. The water will help to lift the old water stain.[5]
  4. Let the shoes dry. Lay the suede shoes out on a towel or on a shoe rack to dry. Remove as much of the water as possible using a cloth or sponge. Stuff the shoes with paper towels to help them hold their shape while drying.[4]
  5. Protect your suede. Spray a coat of suede protector spray on your shoes after each cleaning. Be sure that you have removed excess dirt before spraying the suede. This will help protect your suede shoes from future stains and watermarks.[3]


Tips

  • Stuff your shoes with white paper towels while drying to help them hold their shape.
  • You can also try toothpaste. Wipe the sneaker down with water first. Then apply toothpaste in a circular motion, using a toothbrush. When you're done, rinse and dry.
  • Make sure that you know what material your shoes are made out of before beginning the cleaning process.

Warnings

  • Read your shoe’s cleaning instructions located on the tag before cleaning your shoes.

Things You’ll Need

  • Clean rags
  • Paper towels
  • Soft cleaning brush
  • Bath towel
  • Dish soap
  • Warm water
  • Stain remover
  • Suede brush
  • Laundry detergent
  • Toothpaste

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://www.sears.com/articles/appliances/washers-dryers/how-to-wash-sneakers-at-home.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://help-us.nikeinc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43/~/how-to-clean-nike-shoes
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.clarksusa.com/us/shoe-care/how-to-clean-suede-shoes
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://bellatory.com/clothing/Suede-and-how-to-clean-and-care-for-it/
  5. ↑ https://bellatory.com/clothing/Suede-and-how-to-clean-and-care-for-it
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