How to Clean White Shoes

How to Clean White Shoes – Tested Methods

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Let’s face it – white shoes are notoriously difficult to keep clean. A few steps on the dirty surface and your shoes are stained, scuffed, or just plain dirty.

But just because they’re high-maintenance doesn’t mean you have to avoid wearing them. With a little elbow grease and the right cleaning supplies, you can keep your white shoes looking great all season long.

Let’s begin with a cleaning method that will work on all white shoes – canvas, leather, nubuck, suede, sneakers, and anything else you can think of.

Start by removing dirt and debris on the surface of the shoes with a soft-bristled brush. Work in a to and fro motion to ensure the best cleaning.

Next, identify the type of stain you’re dealing with.

If the stain is water-soluble, like a mud stain, add one tablespoon of lemon juice, and a small amount of dye-free liquid detergent, to a bowl of warm water.

Dunk a clean cloth in the mixture and rub it on the stained areas of the shoes. Next, wipe the shoes with a damp cloth and let them air dry.

If the stain is oil-based, mix one part baking soda and two parts cornstarch. Apply the mixture to the stain.

Let it sit for about two hours before brushing it off with a soft-bristled brush.

If the stain persists, apply a small amount of dish soap using a dampened brush and scrub gently. Next, wipe the shoes clean with a damp cloth.

If you have an alcohol-soluble stain, mix one part rubbing alcohol with two parts water in a bowl.

Using a clean cloth or cotton, apply the mixture to the stain and dab it. Leave it for a few minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth.

While the methods I described above are safe for all shoes, they may not be the most effective to clean the shoes you have.

So, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean white shoes made from different materials.

Table of Contents show

White Canvas Shoes

5 steps to clean white canvas shoes.

Materials Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Remove dry dirt from the surface of the white canvas shoes using an old toothbrush. Work in gentle to and fro motions for best results.
  2. Step 2 – Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and one part in a bowl. Add warm water and stir until you form a paste-like consistency. Stir well to avoid any lumps.
  3. Step 3 – Apply the baking soda mixture using the toothbrush. Work in gentle circular motions to work the mixture into the fabric. Make sure you cover all the stained areas. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
  4. Step 4 – Dampen a clean, soft cloth in warm water. Wring it out such that it’s not dripping wet. Now, use the dampened cloth to remove the hardened baking soda paste. If the paste is proving to be challenging to remove, use a toothbrush.
  5. Step 5 – Air dry the shoes in a well-ventilated area. Please do not leave them in direct sunlight, or else canvas shoes will turn yellow after cleaning.

Baking soda and white vinegar solution are one of many methods to clean white canvas shoes. Please refer to our detailed guide on cleaning white canvas shoes for more cleaning methods.

If you have colored canvas shoes, our guide on how to clean colored canvas shoes will come in handy.

Here’s a video tutorial.

White Leather Shoes

5 steps on how to clean white leather shoes.

Materials Required:

  • ¼ cup white vinegar (Harris Cleaning Vinegar recommended)
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • Spray bottle
  • A dampened, clean cloth
  • Soft-bristled toothbrush
  • One tablespoon of lemon juice (optional)

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Brush off any loose dirt or debris from the surface of the shoes using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  2. Step 2 – Pour ¼ cup white vinegar and ½ cup olive oil into a spray bottle to make a cleaning solution. Shake the bottle vigorously to mix the ingredients properly.
  3. Step 3 – Spray the cleaning solution directly on the stained areas. Let the solution sit for about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4 – Next, gently scrub the stains using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Work in circular motions for best results.
  5. Step 5 – Gently clean the white leather shoes using a damp cloth. Let the shoe air dry in a well-ventilated area.

If you have stubborn stains like grass stains, you can mix one tablespoon of lemon juice into the cleaning solution in step 2.

For more cleaning methods, please check our complete guide on cleaning white leather shoes.

White Faux Leather Shoes

Cleaning white faux leather shoes.

Material Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Brush off any caked-on dirt or debris from the surface of the shoes using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  2. Step 2 – Mix two parts of warm water with one part of liquid laundry detergent in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well to combine.
  3. Step 3 – Spray the warm soapy water onto the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4 – Scrub the area gently using the toothbrush. Brush in small circles to ensure effective cleaning.
  5. Step 5 – Remove the cleaning solution by wiping the surface with a damp cloth or paper towel. Let the shoe air dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

White Tennis Shoes

4 step process on cleaning white tennis shoes.

Materials Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Remove dry dirt from the surface of the shoes using a toothbrush. Work in gentle to and fro motions for best results. Use a dull knife to scrape it off if you have clay or grass stuck on your white tennis shoes.
  2. Step 2 – Make a thick cleaning paste by mixing two parts baking soda and one part chalk-based toothpaste in a bowl. Add lukewarm water and mix well until you achieve a consistency similar to that of pancake batter.
  3. Step 3 – Apply the cleaning paste evenly to the stained area. Scrub the stains gently using the toothbrush. Work in a gentle circular motion for best results.
  4. Step 4 – Remove the dried paste using a dampened cloth. Let them air dry in a well-ventilated room away from direct sunlight.

White Mesh Shoes

5 step guide on how to clean white mesh shoes.

Materials Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Gently brush off any dirt or debris from the surface of the white mesh shoes using a toothbrush.
  2. Step 2 – Mix one part liquid laundry detergent with two parts warm water in a bowl or spray bottle.
  3. Step 3 – Apply the cleaning solution to the stained areas of the shoes. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4 – Scrub the stains using a toothbrush. Work in circular motions for best results. If you have stubborn stains like food and beverage stains, use a bleach pen.
  5. Step 5 – Remove the cleaning solution using a dampened cloth. Let the shoes dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct heat sources.

White Fabric Shoes or White Cloth Shoes

5 steps explained on how to clean white fabric or white cloth shoes

Materials Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Scrub the surface of the white fabric shoes or white cloth shoes with a toothbrush to remove any dirt or debris. Work in gentle to and fro motions for best results.
  2. Step 2 – Mix one part bleach with four parts water in a bowl to make a bleach cleaning solution.
  3. Step 3 – Apply the bleach solution to the stained areas using a brush or cloth. Alternatively, fill a spray bottle with the bleach solution and spray it on the shoes. Let the cleaning solution sit on the shoes for about 15 minutes.
  4. Step 4 – Scrub the stains with a scrubbing brush. Make sure to work in gentle circular motions. If you have stubborn stains like ink or coffee stains, use the bleach pen to target those areas specifically. 
  5. Step 5 – Remove the bleach solution from the shoe’s fabric using a dampened cloth. Rinse the shoes thoroughly with clean water to remove any residual bleach. Allow the shoes to air dry completely before wearing them again. 

Check out this video tutorial.

White Suede Shoes or White Nubuck Shoes or White Velvet Shoes

5 step process on how to clean white suede shoes, white nubuck shoes and white velvet shoes.

Materials Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Remove dry dust from the surface of the shoes using a crepe brush. Be sure to brush in the direction of the grain to avoid damaging the shoes.
  2. Step 2 – Dip the magic eraser in the bowl of water and wring it out until it’s only slightly damp. Rub the magic eraser over any stains or marks on the shoes.
  3. Step 3 – Use a cotton rag or paper towel to remove any residue left behind by the magic eraser.
  4. Step 4 – Leave the shoes in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely. Make sure the shoes are not placed in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as this could damage the leather.
  5. Step 5 – Once the shoes are dry, brush the surface again using the crepe brush to restore the natural grain.

Here’s a video tutorial.

White Rubber Shoes or White Vinyl Shoes

5 steps on cleaning white rubber shoes and white vinyl shoes.

Materials Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Using the toothbrush, remove any caked-on dirt or debris from the surface of the shoes.
  2. Step 2 – Make a cleaning paste by mixing two parts baking soda with one part liquid dish soap in a bowl. Add warm water to the mixture and stir until it forms a thick paste.
  3. Step 3 – Apply the cleaning paste to the shoes using a toothbrush. Scrub the stained area in gentle circular motions.
  4. Step 4 – Gently wipe the shoes clean using a damp towel. If there is any hardened paste left behind, brush it off with the toothbrush.
  5. Step 5 – Let the shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.

White Running Shoes or White Athletic Shoes

5 step process on how to clean white running and white athletic shoes

Materials Required:

Process:

  1. Step 1 – Scrub the surface of the shoes with a soft-bristled scrubbing brush to remove any dry dirt or debris.
  2. Step 2 – Mix one tablespoon hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon baking soda in a bowl. Add cold water to the mixture and stir until it reaches a syrupy consistency.
  3. Step 3 – Apply the cleaning mixture to the shoes using a brush or cloth. Let it sit on the surface for 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4 – Once the time is up, scrub the stained area using the scrubbing brush. Scrub in gentle circular motions to ensure effective cleaning.
  5. Step 5 – Wipe the shoes using a damp cloth to remove the cleaning mixture. Rinse the shoes thoroughly with clean water to remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. Allow them to air dry in a well-ventilated area.

The Bottom Line

Cleaning white shoes is not as difficult as it seems. With the right materials and techniques, you can easily get your white shoes sparkling clean.

Please always remember to test the cleaning solution on a small inconspicuous area of the shoes to check for any adverse reactions. If the cleaning solution damages the shoes in any way, discontinue the use immediately.

If all else fails, consider bringing your shoes to a professional shoe cleaner. With their expertise and knowledge, they will surely be able to get your shoes looking good in no time.

We hope you found this guide helpful.

Happy cleaning!

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