Get your white shoes clean and bright without bleach or expensive cleaners.
Highlights: * Has worked as a fact checker for Real Simple since 2022 * Worked as a staff writer for Mochi Magazine * Currently runs and operates the United States blog for Student Beans Shoe Boot
Comfy white sneakers are a versatile wardrobe staple, whether rocking a suit, sundress, or classic jeans and a T-shirt. The downside is figuring out how to clean white canvas shoes that turned yellow or suffered an inadvertent meeting with a muddy puddle. But there's a way to clean white shoes like Vans or Converse without harsh chemicals, a dry cleaner, or a washing machine. Follow our step-by-step guide for cleaning white shoes—with ease, naturally—using several methods.
Before cleaning, always check what your white shoes are made of and the manufacturer's guidelines.
You should clean your white canvas shoes about every two weeks—and on the spot if they get stained. This depends on how often you wear them—if worn daily, you may need to clean white shoes weekly. However, if only worn occasionally, you can probably clean them less often (about once a month).
Wet a paper towel, squeeze out excess water, and gently wipe down the outside surface of your shoes. This helps remove big pieces of dirt caught on different parts of the shoe. Once done, let your shoes air dry for 10 minutes.
Wet your Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and squeeze out excess water. (You want your Magic Eraser damp but not dripping all over your shoes.)
Gently use the Magic Eraser to spot-clean the fabric. Use only enough pressure to remove any stains, but not so much that you risk scuffing the cloth.
Next, run the Magic Eraser up and down the bottom edge and soles of your sneakers until dirt and stains are gone. Depending on how dirty your shoes are, you may need to repeat steps two and three a few times.
Set your cleaned white shoes in a well-ventilated area to air dry. Be sure to let them completely dry before storing or using them.
Wipe any dirt on the fabric and soles away using a soft brush. Even if not visible, it's a good idea to do this step to help more easily clean the shoes.
In a bowl, slowly mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 cup warm water. Let the fizz settle down before proceeding to clean your shoes.
Dip a cloth or clean toothbrush into the mixture and use it to scrub the dirt on your shoes. You can clean the fabric and soles with this method. Clean the cloth or toothbrush as you go to avoid spreading dirt from one area to another.
Scrub your shoes clean straight after mixing the ingredients because the baking soda mixture dries quickly.
Once you're finished scrubbing, brush off any remaining mixture, wipe with a damp cloth (if needed), and let your shoes air dry. Again, your sneakers must be completely dry before storing or using them.
Brush any loose dirt on the surface of the shoes using a soft scrubbing brush or a clean toothbrush. Don't rub it in—gently wipe away the dirt.
Mix a small amount (no more than a capful) of laundry detergent with lukewarm water in a bowl. You'll want enough to clean both shoes, but you can also mix more as you go along.
Using a clean cloth or toothbrush, apply the mixture to the surface of the shoes one area at a time. Gently scrub any stains away.
Wipe your white shoes clean with a damp cloth to remove the soapy solution. Do not submerge them in water. Then, set them aside in a ventilated area to thoroughly air dry. Be sure the shoes are fully dry before wearing or storing them.
Use a soft brush to remove excess dirt from shoes. Remember to wipe the tongue, sole, and any edges in addition to the fabric.
In a small bowl, mix water with mild dish soap to make a soapy cleaning solution. Don't use too much soap (a tablespoon should suffice) to avoid oversaturating the cloth.
Apply the soapy water to stains and other dirty areas on the shoes. Gently scrub with a clean cloth or toothbrush, working in circular motions.
Wipe the shoes clean and remove all soap using a clean, damp cloth. Set aside to air dry, and be sure the sneakers are completely dry before using.
Get rid of loose dirt by gently scrubbing your white shoes with a soft brush. You want to remove excess dirt on the surface and soles, not rub it in.
Using a clean toothbrush, apply toothpaste to stains and dirty spots on the fabric. Use a circular motion when applying.
Try to find toothpaste with baking soda as an ingredient for best results.
After scrubbing all surfaces of the shoes, let the toothpaste sit for about 15 minutes. This should help the ingredients soak in and remove stains.
Using a damp, clean cloth, clean off the dried toothpaste. Then, let your shoes air dry completely before wearing them.
Cleaning suede shoes can be tricky since suede is a delicate fabric that stains easily. You've probably noticed that most suede shoes don't come in a true white hue, but off-white shades easily get dirty, too. Here's how to clean white suede shoes gently and effectively.
Before cleaning suede shoes, make sure they're completely dry by blotting them with a soft cloth. This is important because if you treat stains while the shoes are damp, they can settle deeper into the material, making them harder to remove.
Once dry, gently rub any stains with the pink pencil eraser.
Place a paper towel onto the wet stains and apply pressure to blot. Make sure not to rub the dirt and stains with the paper towel, as they could spread across the shoe.
If any stains remain, dip your soft cloth in white vinegar and gently rub to remove it.
Allow your clean shoes to air-dry, then rub the outside of each shoe with a suede brush. This helps them get that velvety texture back.
Now that your white sneakers are sparkling clean, you want to keep them that way. Though you may be tempted to wrap them in plastic, return them to their original box, and never wear them again, that's not why you bought them. These tips will help keep your white shoes clean longer:
Dirt and stains aren't the only maladies that can mar your beautiful white shoes. No one will notice how clean they are if they stink.
Shoes Men Most odors are caused by moisture, so the drier you keep your shoes, the less likely they'll smell bad. Try these tactics for getting rid of shoe odors and keeping them away.