How to Clean White Shoes and Make Them Look Brand New

Slip-on or lace-up, it doesn't matter — white sneakers somehow look great with almost every outfit we pair them with. But something that can quickly ruin even our best white sneakers outfits? Dirt. Or mud. Or any other type of stain, like oil or food. That's why we're constantly looking for hacks on how to clean white shoes, thus ensuring our go-to footwear stays pretty and pristine. Thankfully, there's no shortage of ways to wash white sneakers and restore them to their original color. So whether you're ready to mix up ingredients in your pantry or are looking for quick and easy solutions, experts are weighing in with helpful tips for how to keep your footwear looking its best.

Keep reading to learn how to clean white shoes, according to experts.

Can you put white sneakers in the washing machine?

Tide Senior Scientist, Jennifer Ahoni, says it's important to look at the label on your sneakers prior to washing them. "While it’s recommended not to put some sneakers in the washing machine, many sneakers made from canvas and cotton are machine washable," she tells InStyle.

Still, you shouldn't just throw shoes in the machine and wash them on a delicate setting. According to Madeline Miller, product specialist at The Laundress, shoes should be placed in two separate mesh bags. Ahoni agrees and shares her step-by-step process for thoroughly cleaning white sneakers, here:

What is the best method for cleaning white sneakers?

Again, Ahoni tells us it all boils down to what the care label says. If you can't or don't want to put your white sneakers in the washing machine, she says that mixing detergent with water in a bowl, then using a brush to scrub the fabric, will also help to get them clean. "Handwashing is always the gentlest method while also being effective," says Miller.

When cleaning white sneakers, are there different methods for different materials?

Yes. When cleaning suede white sneakers, use a gentle brush to clean away any soils or scuffs, instructs Ahoni. For leather styles, she recommends a damp cloth to gently wipe away stains.

Should you use bleach when cleaning white sneakers?

Proceed with caution. "Chlorine bleach can damage certain fibers and fabrics and lead to permanent staining," warns Ahoni. However, color-safe bleach, like Tide Plus Bleach Powder Laundry Detergent, might be a good alternative, since it doesn't contain chlorine.

Miller adds that The Laundress' All-Purpose Bleach Alternative is also just as fast-acting as regular bleach and is gentler on fabrics. "It helps dissolve both fresh and old stains and discoloration — including yellowing — for cleaner fabrics, and visibly whitens and brightens," she says.

If you do want to clean canvas white sneakers with bleach, it's best to dilute them with water. Clorox cleaning expert Mary Gagliardi, aka Dr. Laundry, says to measure one quart of water in a measuring cup before adding one tablespoon of Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach, then stir to mix before scrubbing with a nylon brush.

"Working on one shoe at a time, dip the brush in the bleach and water solution, and then gently scrub the canvas in a circular motion," instructs Gagliardi. "Dip the brush again as needed to keep applying the bleach solution to the canvas until the entire shoe has been treated. This only takes a few minutes; you can scrub the rubber outsole while you are at it." After one minute, spray all the treated areas with hydrogen peroxide, then rinse the shoe completely with clean water before cleaning the second one, she adds.

Which products should you use to clean white sneakers?

Experts seem to agree that detergent and bleach alternatives are great solutions for cleaning white sneakers. But Jennifer Rodriguez, Chief Hygiene Officer at Pro Housekeepers, says that lemon juice or white vinegar work just as well. "Simply fill a cup with one and use a toothbrush to clean your product," she tells InStyle.

Macie Kreutzer, the founder and content creator behind For the Love of Simple, a blog dedicated to organizing, decluttering, and simplifying life, agrees, also recommending a quick DIY mix. "Use a medium bristle toothbrush with a small mixture of baking soda, white vinegar, and warm water to help remove stains and scuff marks," she says.

How can you get oil off of white sneakers?

"Our Wash & Stain Bar is specifically formulated to dissolve oil and grease-based stains," Miller tells us. She recommends running the bar under warm water before lathering up a brush. Then, work the soap into the stains before removing it and patting dry with a damp, lint-free cloth.

How can you remove yellow stains from white sneakers?

If you did use bleach to clean white sneakers, leaving it on too long or not diluting it correctly may leave behind annoying yellow stains. "These yellow stains are tricky to get off," says Rodriguez, although they aren't impossible to remove. "If this happens, you’ll need to soak them in a different solution to minimize the yellow," she instructs. Rodriguez recommends a salt and hot water scrub, cream of tartar, or laundry detergent and white vinegar.

How should you dry white sneakers?

Even though it may take more than a day to dry, Ahoni tells InStyle that air-drying your white sneakers is best. Miller suggests drying them outside. "Sunlight is also a natural fabric brightener." But if drying outdoors isn't an option, choose a well-ventilated area like next to an open window or fan, she adds.

When are a pair of white sneakers not salvageable?

Experts say that when a sneaker is ripping at the sole and essentially falling apart, it's probably time to get a new pair. And sometimes, no matter how hard you try, a stain may be too tough to remove completely (although that doesn't mean you need to ditch the shoe).

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qrrSrbClnV6YvK57xZqqoaGfo3y0tM6eqmign6x6tbuMnKOemZ5ixKm1055krKaVlrimvtI%3D