How To Wash White Shoes (Everything You Need to Know!)

There’s no doubt that washing white shoes can be one of the worst home chores. White shoes are difficult to maintain and keep white after being taken out of the box. To clean a white shoe well is a task one can master. From home methods such as using baking soda and toothpaste to bleach, this guide will look at the best ways to keep your white shoes white.

While it is possible to clean white shoes effectively, it takes a lot of time, effort and commitment that would rather be avoided. This is why prevention is key when it comes to white shoes. When you buy white shoes for the first time, shoe experts recommend that you treat them immediately with a water repellant or spray on stain liquid. They also recommend that you spray this fluid every few weeks. By spraying, your shoes will be protected from grime and spills.

Unfortunately, not all types of shoes can be sprayed. Different types of white shoes are cleaned differently. In the next section, we are going to look at the best way to clean different types of shoes.

How to clean white leather shoes

Leather is one of the easiest materials to wash. This is because it absorbs the least water compared to other materials. So if you have a white leather sneaker, you’re in luck. The following are steps to follow when washing white leather sneakers.

Gather your materials: You will need a bar of soap, cotton rags such as an old t-shirt and dirt erasers.

Start with the surface dirt: Wet a paper towel and squeeze to remove excess water. Gently wipe down the outside of the shoe to remove large pieces of grime and debris caught on different parts of the shoe. Let the shoes air dry for ten minutes after this.

Clean the sole: Wet the dirt eraser and squeeze to remove excess water. Use the Magic Eraser to clean the sole by running it up and down the sole until the dirt and stains are gone. It is important to remember that the Magic Eraser should be damp and not wet. Ensure to squeeze it properly.

Wash with soap: Wet your old rag and lather it with the bar soap (such as Ivory soap). When it lathers, massage and rub the upper part of the shoe until it is back to its pristinely white color. Wipe the excess soap with the rag and let the shoe air dry for ten minutes. If you’re shoes still are not clean enough, repeat this last process until they are perfectly white.

How to clean white suede shoes

Contrary to leather shoes, white suede shoes are much tougher to clean. Suede is a delicate material that stains easily and worse, absorbs dirt from grime and dirty water. Because of this, most suede shoes do not come is true white. Their white is not as bright, say, a white leather sneaker, and is toned down to a creamy color. If they were that bright, it would be impractical to wear white suedes more than once. The following are steps to follow when washing a white suede sneaker.

Gather your materials: You will need a soft cotton cloth, a pink pencil eraser, some white vinegar and a suede brush, preferably the one that came with the shoe.

Blot the shoes: Use the soft cotton cloth to blot your shoes. This helps remove any moisture. After doing this, gently rub the stains with the pink pencil eraser.

Dry with the paper towel: Place the paper towel onto to the wet stains and push it downwards to apply pressure. It is important to remember not to rub the dirt and stains and spread them across the shoe.

Remove the remaining stains: Here’s where the white vinegar comes in. Dip the soft cloth in the white vinegar and gently rub the remaining stains. After doing this, let the shoes air dry for ten minutes then rub the outside of the shoe with the suede brush. Brushing helps get the velvety texture back.

How to clean white canvas shoes

Like leather shoes, it is simple to remove dirt and grime from a white canvas shoe. All you need are two home products and you’re good to go. The following are steps to follow when cleaning a white canvas shoe.

Gather your materials: There are two important ingredients you need: baking soda and white vinegar.

Combine them: Take two tablespoons of white vinegar and mix it with a tablespoon of white baking soda. Add a cup of warm water to the mixture.

Start cleaning: You can use a soft cloth or toothbrush for this process. Dip the cloth into the paste you have created in step 3 and scrub it in on your dirty white canvas. Leave to dry for about two minutes as the mixture dries very quickly. Brush off the remaining paste and let the shoes air dry.

To clean white canvas or converse shoes without this paste, you can use soap and water although it will not be as efficient.

Can you wash white shoes with bleach?

The short answer to this is yes. However, when cleaning using bleach there are a few things you should consider. For instance, the amount of bleach to be used has to be the perfect amount. Bleach is a strong cleaning agent and just excess of it will discolor your white shoe. The recommended amount is used five times as much water as the bleach used. Bleach cleaning should also not be done often as it increases the risk of discoloring your shoes.

To clean your white shoes with bleach, mix the bleach with five times as much water and use a toothbrush to gently scrub the outside of the shoe.

Conclusion

While it is possible to clean white shoes effectively, it takes a lot of time, effort and commitment that would rather be avoided. This is why prevention is key when it comes to white shoes. Avoid wearing white shoes for consecutive days, and do not wait a long time to clean them.