I’ve always loved colorful sneakers, but I still find myself coming back to one pair almost every day: my white Pumas. They’re comfortable, supportive and go with nearly any outfit, which makes them my go-to travel shoes. In the past year, they’ve come with me everywhere from rainy Scotland to sunny Savannah, Georgia, and a handful of other cities across the US.
The downside is that my once-bright sneakers don’t look so fresh anymore. After so much wear, they’ve faded into a dingy gray, and no matter how much I love them, dirty sneakers aren’t the fashion statement I want to make. Buying a new pair every time they get scuffed isn’t realistic, so learning how to clean them properly has been the smarter move.
While crease lines never fully disappear, it’s easy to remove dirt, stains and other marks with a few simple steps. Here’s how to bring dirty white sneakers back to life and make them look almost brand-new without spending money on another pair.
Read more: Here’s How to Clean Your Dirty Running Shoes Without Ruining Them
What you need to clean your white shoes
You need very few materials to get your white shoes back in tip-top shape. These items are probably all lying around your home:
- Water
- Bleach
- Three bowls
- Toothpaste (optional)
- Clean cloth or sponge
- White vinegar or baking soda
- Mild detergent or shoe cleaner
- Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
- Magic Eraser or a similar cleaning sponge
How to clean your white shoes
You can use several methods. Following these steps should help to refresh your white shoes and make them look new again.
Step 1: Remove accessories and bleach laces
Start by removing shoelaces and any inserts from the shoes. Set the shoes aside because you’ll start with bleaching laces.
To prepare the solution, mix 1/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water in a large bowl. I recommend you use oxygen-based bleach, which is safe for white and colored laces. Place the laces in the bowl with the mixture and let sit for up to an hour. You can finish the following steps in the meantime.
Step 2: Remove loose particles
Back to the shoes. Use a dry soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to gently brush off any loose dirt or debris from the sides and bottom of the shoes. I recommend doing this step over a trash can for easy cleanup.
Step 3: Spot clean exterior
For tough stains, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water or baking soda and water in the other bowl. Either mixture works just as well and which one you pick really depends on what you have available. Apply this solution to the outside of the shoes and gently scrub with a clean brush or cloth.
Step 4: Wash the shoes
Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water in another bowl. You could also use a store-bought shoe cleaner for this step. Dip a clean cloth or sponge in the solution and gently scrub the entire shoe surface, working from the top to the sides, then the bottom.
Bonus tip for fabric shoes: If the shoes are still discolored, you can try using toothpaste on the fabric parts. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the stains, scrub gently with a brush and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Step 5: Rinse and dry
Use a clean, soft cloth to remove any mixture residue. Let the shoes air dry, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. While they dry, remove the laces from the bleach solution. Rinse the laces in cold water, then wash them by hand or in the washing machine.
Step 6: Brighten the soles
For rubber soles, you can use a Magic Eraser to brighten them up and remove any remaining scuffs.
Step 7: Replace accessories
Once the shoes and laces are completely dry, reinsert the clean shoelaces and any other accessories removed from the shoes. Voila. Now your shoes look new (or at least as close to new as possible).
How often you should clean your white shoes
The frequency with which you clean your shoes will depend on how often you wear them and the conditions in which they are worn, but here are some general guidelines to follow:
- Always wipe down your white shoes with a water-dampened cloth after wearing them in the rain or as soon as you notice any discoloration marks.
- Store your shoes inside in a dry place to prevent discoloration or molding.
- Do a light cleaning every two weeks or so.
- Do a deep clean every six weeks or so.
All of these tips will ensure that stains don’t set in over time, which can make cleaning them more difficult, and keep your shoes wearable for longer.
Can you clean white shoes in a washing machine?
Hand-washing shoes is usually the best practice but some white sneakers and shoes are safe in the washing machine. To check, find the care label usually located on the underside of the tongue. It should tell you whether you can machine-wash.
Shoes made of leather, suede, rubber and vinyl should never be put in the washing machine. Cotton, nylon and polyester shoes are normally safe in the machine, but if you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and hand-wash.
For more cleaning tips, explore our guides on the best way to clean a yoga mat and how to clean your workout clothes.
