How to Clean Your White Shoes For Ultimate Newness?
Hola, fellow shoe lovers & kick-a-holics! 🙂
How have y’all been doing???
Cleaning a pair of white shoes is difficult, isn’t it? Well, I believe that the very sight of a sparkling white shoe is a sight to behold. However, keeping a pair of white sneakers clean and tidy is a job easier said than done.
It goes without saying that white shoes provide the wearer with a chance to make a timeless fashion statement.
However, it requires diligent care & attention to maintain their charm and shine. And that’s where the trouble begins! YES—nobody likes their whites getting muddy!
BUTTTT! What can one do?
Well, acceptance can be a good way to start!
White shoes are prone to mishaps :/
As stated earlier, keeping your white shoes clean and spotless is not easy. In fact, white shoes are dirt magnets that attract grime and stains like anything. Plus, the added risk of encountering puddles and accidental spills like below can make it more challenging to carry them.
The coffee conundrum
I still remember my favorite pair of sparkling white Jack&Jones sneakers getting dirtied on several occasions. One of them was when I spilled my morning coffee on these at the buffet on my vacation. The coffee left an unsightly brown stain that drew a great deal of unwanted attention and undermined the appearance of my beloved pair of J&Js.
How did it go?
After going back to my room, I tried a bunch of tactics. From using detergent water to rubbing the stain in a circular motion, I did it all, but the stain seemed to not move an inch.
Fortunately, the god-sent laundry attendant saw my struggles and came to the rescue. After that, he:
- took out the in-soles and laces
- blew at my shoes through an air compressor (God bless the laundry equipment, it helped push out the dirt off the surface)
- placed a shoe tree inside the dirty shoe
- poured down the laundry’s shoe cleaner in a small bowl
- rinsed a medium hard bristle brush into the solution
- started rubbing the soles and sides in a circular motion (well, if we clean the soles in the end, we may again dirty up the upper areas)
- after this, he changed the water and poured the shoe cleaner again into the bowl
- now he picked up the soft brush, dipped it into the cleaning solution, and started rubbing in gentle circular motions around the area that took the spill.
And, it worked—my J&Js were clean and shiny white again!
The hike and the puddle
Here’s another example: my younger one spattered mud all over his gleaming sneakers when he stepped into a muddy puddle. Now, we tried to wipe away the mud once he came back home. However, the mark remained.
Here’s the better part: I spent a couple of hours cleaning them and it actually worked out.
I am quite sure that anyone who loves their white sneakers/shoes wants to keep them clean and tidy. So, here are a few detailed steps that helped me restore the shine of my beloved white sneakers.
Here, take a look:
Gather your supplies
Begin by assembling all the necessary cleaning supplies.
You’ll need:
- a soft-bristled brush
- a mild shoe cleaner (or a mild detergent in the worst case)
- baking soda
- a toothbrush
- a vinegar solution
- and lukewarm water
Also, cleaning your beloved pair of white shoes or sneakers requires time and patience.
You can clean them thoroughly once every week if you want them to retain their newness over prolonged periods of time.
Choose a dedicated cleaning area
Make sure you have ample space at hand and the area is well-ventilated. Lay down a few layers of old newspapers to keep the floor clean. Ensure a quiet and peaceful environment and sit down to clean when you have ample time at hand.
Several friends of mine made the mistake of cleaning their white shoes hurriedly. The result is a half-baked pair of shoes that has countless ‘half-stains’ of coffee, mud, and grease.
Create a cleaning solution (if you don’t have one at hand)
You can create a cleaning solution at home. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Take warm water in a small bowl
- Add a small amount of mild detergent or washing liquid to this bowl
- Stir mildly and it’s ready
Spot-clean the stains
It is always a good idea to spot clean stains. When I’m stuck with a dirty shoe, I
- dip a sponge in the solution
- dab it onto any visible stain or discoloration on your shoe
- rub the affected areas of the shoe in a circular motion until the stains and spots begin to disappear.
This method has helped me target extremely dirty areas, allowing me to precisely clean stubborn stains without damaging the material.
Scrub away tough stains
Use a toothbrush to scrub and remove tough stains in case you are dealing with tough stains.
This technique offers thorough cleaning with precision and effectiveness. Gently scrubbing your shoe in a circular motion ensures that you remove all kinds of spots and blemishes without damaging the seam or appearance of the shoe.
This is how I have been cleaning the sole of my Crocs and Why Not Zer0s for over three years.
Pro tip: If you have an electric toothbrush, you can get a new brush head for your teeth, and use the old one to clean your shoes, Crocs, slippers, and everything that’s not leather.
Thorough rinsing is important
A comprehensive rinsing session is important after removing the stains.
- Remove all stains of soap residue or cleaner using clean water
- Wipe away all of the access water using a sponge
- That’s it.
Having used this trick for almost two decades, I can easily say that this is one of the finest ways of cleaning a white shoe.
After this, keep your shoes aside and let them air dry for an hour. This will ensure that all the irritants dry out and go inactive.
Brightening with baking soda
We’ve all heard words about the great cleaning properties of baking soda. And as you try to clean your white shoes, it can be a lifesaver.
Just make a paste of vinegar and baking soda and you’ll be good to go. Here’s the procedure to do that:
- mix one tablespoon of hot water with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of baking soda
- stir well and you are good to go
Once ready, you can apply this paste to a toothbrush and rub it in a circular motion to clean the dirty parts of your shoe.
Deodorizing using vinegar
Fill a spray bottle with water and white vinegar in equal parts.
You can lightly spritz the inside of the shoe and allow it to air dry for a few minutes. The vinegar will kill the odor-causing bacteria and leave your shoes smelling fresh.
Prevent future stains
Apply water and stain-repellent spray to help protect your shoes from future stains and spills once they are clean and dry.
Furthermore, I always store my white shoes and sneakers in a cool and dry place—preferably a shoe rack dedicated to my shoes or at least in the box that they came in. No cap! MY Why Not Zer0 sneakers still reside in their original box.
Apart from that, make sure to not store your shoes in direct sunlight, as that may lead to yellowing. Also, storing them in plastic bags may not be a great idea as these bags can trap moisture leading to the growth of molds and mildew.
Marty’s closing words
The art of cleaning, maintaining, and keeping your white shoes in good stead calls for a great deal of patience and hard work. Interestingly, the timeless beauty and durability of the classic white sneakers make them a must-have despite the challenges of keeping them spotless. Restore the beauty of your white shoes by choosing the right cleaning techniques. Furthermore, be patient and the results will be great. 🙂
The key is to embrace the process.
FAQs
Now, let’s look at some frequently asked questions that may help you as well.
1. How often should I clean my white shoes?
The answer solely depends on how often and roughly you use your white shoes. For example, if you are a muddy baby, or love playing Soccer wearing your white shoes, you may have to clean your white shoes once a week. However, if you take care of your white shoes like babies—don’t walk too much wearing them, wear them mostly while driving, or only on clean surfaces, you may consider cleaning them when they start looking dirty.
Now, in case of everyday use, your shoes may get dirty in a month. , if you use your shoes once in a month, they may not get dirty for three, four, or even six months.
However, to maintain the new, clean look of your white shoes, you can carry out mild cleaning on a weekly basis. This will help keep visible stains and discolorations at bay.
2. What if I don’t have a dedicated shoe cleaner?
If you don’t have a shoe cleaner, you can try making it using the steps mentioned below:
- Take warm water in a small bowl
- Add a small amount of mild detergent or washing liquid to this bowl
- Stir mildly and it’s ready