How To Clean White Shoes

White shoes are a wardrobe staple, but they can be difficult to keep clean. It is a delicate process to clean white shoes as one doesn’t want to damage the material or the finish of the shoes.

So, How To Clean White Shoes?

Here are a few tips on how to keep white shoes white so that they look their best:

  • Choose the right cleaner– Use a mild soap or shoe cleaner that is designed for use on white shoes. Avoid using harsh cleaners or scrubbing brushes, as these can damage the shoes.
  • Test the cleaner on a small area first– Before you start cleaning the entire shoe, test the cleaner on a small hidden area to make sure it won’t damage the finish or color of the shoe.
  • Clean in sections– Work on one small section of the shoe at a time. Use a swamp cloth or sponge to apply the cleaner and gently scrub the area.
  • Rinse well– After you have cleaned the entire shoe, rinse it carefully. Make sure to remove all of the cleaners from the surface of the shoe.
  • Allow the shoes to dry completely– Don’t try to speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer or other heat source. This can damage the shoes. Allow them to air dry in a cool, shady spot.

Things You Should Follow While Cleaning Your White Shoes

It is quite difficult to keep the white shoes clean as we have to use them daily and we cannot avoid dirt, dust, and other pollution particles. But there are certain things which you can do to make your work easier. Let us discuss them one by one:

  • Use a shoe bag- First of all, you should use a shoe bag while carrying your shoes from one place to another. This will help to keep your shoes clean and free from dirt and dust.
  • Wipe your shoes with a damp soft cloth or paper towel – Whenever you reach home, the first thing you should do is wipe your shoes with a damp cloth. This will remove any dirt or dust from the surface of your shoes.
  • Brush your shoes with a soft brush- After you have wiped your shoes with a damp cloth, you need to brush them with a soft brush. This will help in separating any dirt from the surface of the shoes.
  • Wash your shoes with lukewarm water and a little soap- Once a week, you should wash your shoes with lukewarm water and a little soap. Use your hands to create suds, then rub the shoes together to clean them.
  • Rinse your shoes with cold water- Once you have washed your shoes, you need to rinse them with cold water. This will remove any soap residue from the surface of the shoes.
  • Allow your shoes to air dry- Once you have cleaned your shoes, you need to allow them to air dry. Do not use a hair dryer or other heat source to speed up the drying process, as this can damage your shoes.
  • As you can see, there are a few simple steps that you need to follow in order to clean your white shoes. By following these steps, you can keep your white shoes looking their best.

What Is The Best Way To Clean White Shoes?

The best way to clean white shoes is to use a mild soap or shoe cleaner, and it is suggested not to use severe wash cleaners or brushes. You should also test the cleaner on a small area first, and clean in sections. Finally, make sure to rinse the shoes well and allow them to air dry completely.

Men wearing sneakers

Here are a few methods which you can follow to clean your shoes-

Hand Wash With Bleach

1. Fill a clean sink or bucket with cool water and add 1/3 cup bleach.

2. Submerge your shoes in the mixture and let them soak for 15 minutes.

3. Remove your shoes from the mixture and rinse them thoroughly with cool water.

4. Make them dry in the open air.

Machine wash With Bleach

1. Add your shoes to a garment bag and seal it closed.

2. Place the bag in the washing machine and set it to the delicate cycle with cold water.

3. Add 1/3 cup bleach to the washing machine before starting the cycle.

4. Keep the shoes in a well-ventilated area for air drying.

Note: Do not use this method on leather shoes, as the bleach can damage the material.

Machine Wash With Vinegar

1. Add your shoes to a garment bag and seal it closed.

2. Place the bag in the washing machine and set it to the delicate cycle with cold water.

3. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the washing machine before starting the cycle.

4. dry under the sun.

Note: Do not use this method on leather shoes, as vinegar can damage the material.

Cleaning white sneakers with Vinegar

Wash By Hand With Soap And Water

This method of cleaning shoes is the same as the bleach method with a minor difference i.e. instead of using bleach, we will be using soap. It is a traditional and gentle way of cleaning your shoes. 

You can use the following steps when using this method

1. Fill a clean sink or bucket with cool water and add a mild detergent or soap.

2. Keep the mixture for 5 minutes so that the soap can dissolve completely.

3. drown the shoes in the bucket and leave them for 15 minutes.

4. Take out shoes and rinse with cool water.

5. Air dry your shoes.

Note: You can use this method on all types of shoes, including leather.

Wash With A Shoe Cleaner

1. Apply the shoe cleaner to a clean cloth and rub it on the surface of your shoes.

2. Splash cool water and allow them to dry in a cool breeze area.

Note: You can use this method on all types of shoes, including leather.

These were some of the methods which you can follow to keep your shoes clean and shining. 

Clean Your White Shoes Using Toothpaste

Toothpaste is another effective way to clean white shoes. You can use it to remove stains and dirt from the surface of the shoes. Toothpaste sounds weird but it provides the best result as it contains bleaching agents which can remove the toughest stains from the shoes.

Here’s how you can use toothpaste to clean your white shoes:

1. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a clean cloth.

2. Rub the cloth over the surface of the shoes to remove dirt and stains.

3. Rinse the shoes with cool water and allow them to air dry in an open area.

Clean Your White Shoes With Magic Eraser

A magic eraser is an effective way to clean your white shoes. The eraser will remove dirt and stains from the surface of the shoes.

Here’s how you can use a magic eraser to clean your white shoes:

1. Wet the magic eraser with water.

2. Rub the eraser over the surface of the shoes to remove dirt and stains.

3. Rinse the shoes well and keep them dry.

How To Clean White Shoes With Baking Soda

Cleaning white shoes with baking soda is an effective and inexpensive way to keep your shoes clean.

Here’s how you can use baking soda to clean your white shoes:

1. Make a paste of baking soda and water.

2. Apply the paste to a clean cloth and rub it on the surface of the shoes.

3. Repeat the above-given points to wash and dry the shoes

Differentiate Different Shoes And Color Types With Their Cleaning

Different shoes have different cleaning requirements. You should always read the label on the shoes before cleaning them. The following guide will help you to understand the different types of shoes and their cleaning requirements:

Sr No.Type of shoeMethods of Cleaning
1Canvas shoeMachine wash with bleach
2Leather shoesMachine wash with vinegar
3Suede shoesWash by hand with soap and water
4Nubuck shoesWash with a shoe cleaner
5sneakersToothpaste
6loafers                                          Magic eraser
7dress shoesBaking soda

20 Best Tips To Keep Your White Shoes Always White

1) Clean your shoes regularly to remove dirt and stains.

2) Use a shoe cleaner or toothpaste to clean tough stains.

3) Store your shoes in a cool, dry place.

4) Avoid wearing your shoes in muddy or wet conditions.

5) wear socks with your shoes to avoid sweat stains.

6) Use a water repellent spray on your shoes.

7) Use a shoe brush to remove dirt from the surface of your shoes.

8) Ensure your shoes air dry fully after cleaning them.

9) Avoid wearing your shoes in the rain.

10) Store your shoes in a shoe box to keep them clean and dust-free.

13) Use mild soap and water to clean your shoes.

14) Dry your shoes thoroughly after cleaning them.

15) Place your shoes on a shoe rack to keep them organized.

16) Don’t forget to clean the soles of your shoes.

17) Use shoe polish to keep your shoes shining.

18) Remove tough stains by rubbing them with a damp cloth.

19) Avoid using harsh chemicals on your shoes.

20) Be gentle while cleaning your shoes.

FAQs

Q: How do I get my shoes white again without bleach?

You can use vinegar, baking soda, or a magic eraser instead of bleach to clean your shoes without damage.

Q: Can I use Clorox wipes on my shoes?

-Yes, you can use Clorox wipes to clean your shoes. However, make sure that you test the wipes on a small area of the shoes before using them on the entire surface.

Q: Can I use vinegar on leather shoes?

No, you should not use vinegar on leather shoes as it can damage the material.

Q: How often should I clean my white shoes?

You should clean your white shoes at least once a week to keep them looking their best. Deep cleaning your shoes every month is a really good idea. Whether they are white leather shoes, white fabric shoes, or white sneakers, 

Q: How do I make my shoes shine?

There are a few ways to make your shoe shine, including using shoe polish or Vaseline. You can also use a magic eraser to remove dirt and stains from the surface of the shoes.

Q: Why do white shoes turn yellow after washing?

White shoes may turn yellow after washing due to several reasons like using the wrong cleaning method, not rinsing the shoes properly, using hard water, etc. You can avoid this problem by using the correct cleaning method and rinsing the shoes properly.

Q: What is the fastest way to clean white canvas shoes?

The fastest way to clean white canvas shoes is by using a magic eraser. It will remove dirt and stains from the surface of the shoes quickly.

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