How to Clean Your White Shoes (No Matter the Material) (2024)

White shoes are a closet staple, but scuffs, stains, and dirt can quickly make your bright white shoes look dingy. Unfortunately, cleaning white shoes isn't as simple as tossing them in the washing machine and dryer, which could damage the sneakers. To help keep your favorite footwear looking fresh, we've tested and approved these strategies on how to clean white shoes in a variety of materials. Whether they're made of canvas, leather, or mesh, these step-by-step instructions for cleaning white shoes (and shoelaces!) will have your footwear looking like new. Read on to learn how to clean white shoes.

Best Ways to Clean White Shoes

These are our favorite ways to clean white shoes.

• Baking soda and vinegar: This method works well for white canvas shoes that are lightly dirty.Mix 3 tbsp. baking soda with 1 tbsp. white vinegar until it forms a paste. Using a toothbrush to apply the paste, gently scrub dirt and debris from your sneakers, leaving the paste on until it dries before brushing away.
• Soapy water: Use a mixture of warm water (about 1 cup) and liquid dish soap for white leather shoes.A toothbrush works perfectly to apply the solution all over the shoes. Wipe with a damp cloth before setting to dry.
• Laundry detergent: You'll need 1 tbsp. of laundry detergent and warm water for mesh or cloth shoes.Dip a clean washcloth in the solution and apply to sneakers in circular motions. A toothbrush works even better for especially tough stains.
• Bleach: A bleach pen works well for deep stains (like blood or grass), while a mixture of bleach solution and water will easily brighten up white shoelaces.
• Toothpaste: Use an old toothbrush and white toothpaste to scrub dirt and grime out of almost any kind of shoes.
  

How to Clean White Canvas Shoes with Baking Soda & Vinegar

Use this method to clean white canvas shoes (such as Converse All Stars or Vans sneakers) and keep them looking spotless.

Remove Loose Dirt

Untie and remove the shoelaces so you can easily access all parts of the shoe. To loosen large bits of caked-on dirt or mud, take the shoes outside and knock the bottoms together. Use a dry toothbrush or small, soft-bristled brush to scrub the shoes and remove any remaining loose dirt. Be sure to brush along the rubber soles and outer edges of the tongue.

Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar Into a Paste

Mix the baking soda and white vinegar together in a small bowl to form a paste. Dip the toothbrush into the mixture and apply the paste all over the shoes, scrubbing softly to remove dirt and stains. Allow the mixture to harden on the shoes. When it's completely dry, brush off the larger bits and wipe off the remainder using a soft cloth or paper towel. For stubborn stains that won't budge (from grass or blood, for example), use a bleach pen on the spots and wait about five minutes before washing the solution off with hot water and liquid detergent.

Clean Rubber Soles

Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove any scuff marks or streaks of dirt on the white soles of the shoes. Wet the sponge eraser with water and scrub around all sides of the rubber sole. Dampen a clean cloth or paper towel with water and wipe off the shoes. Let them air dry completely before wearing.

How to Clean White Leather Shoes

Follow these steps to give your white leather shoes that fresh-from-the-box look.

Clean Shoes with Soapy Water

After removing the shoelaces, use a dry toothbrush to brush off any loose dirt. Mix a few drops of liquid dish soap into a cup of warm water. Dip the toothbrush into the soapy water and gently scrub all over the shoes.

Clean Soles and Let Dry

Remove any scuffs or stains using an eraser sponge (as in instructions above). Use a damp cloth to wipe off the shoes. When you're finished cleaning the shoes, stuff them with white paper towels to absorb any moisture inside and maintain the shape of the shoes as they dry. Make sure they're completely dry before wearing.

How to Clean White Mesh Shoes with Laundry Detergent

Refresh your white mesh sneakers with these cleaning tips.

Brush Away Dirt

Mesh is a delicate fabric that can be snagged or damaged easily. While cleaning white mesh shoes, keep in mind that you'll need to use a softer touch than you would with a sturdier fabric like canvas. Use a soft-bristled dry toothbrush to gently brush away any excess dirt on the outside of the shoes.

Clean Shoes with Soapy Water

Add a small amount of liquid laundry detergent to a bowl of warm water to create a soapy cleaning solution. Working in circular motions, apply the cleaning solution to the shoes using a soft cloth. Periodically rinse the cloth with warm water as you clean to avoid spreading dirt or stains across the shoes. For stubborn spots like grass stains or ground-in dirt, use the toothbrush and soapy water or a bleach pen to gently scrub the mesh fabric.

Rinse Shoes and Let Dry

When rinsing your mesh shoes, avoid submerging them in water, which can damage the interiors or affect their shape. Instead, use a clean damp cloth to wipe down the exterior of the shoes. Fill them with white paper towels to help them retain their shape and let the shoes air-dry completely before wearing.

How to Clean White Shoelaces with Bleach

Here's how to give your white shoelaces a thorough cleaning. For all-white shoelaces, you can use bleach to clean and whiten. Remember to use rubber gloves to protect your hands with working with bleach.

Remove and Soak Shoelaces

Remove the laces from the shoes and place them in a white mesh lingerie bag. Soak the bag in a bleach solution for five minutes (Clorox recommends using 3 tbsp. of bleach for every gallon of water), using a small plate to keep it submerged if needed.

Wash Laces

Remove the laces from the bleach solution and wash them in the washing machine using regular detergent. Let the shoelaces air dry.

How to Bleach White Shoes

Cleaning white shoes with bleach is a quick and effective way to brighten up your shoes. Use a bleach pen for small, dark stains, or dilute liquid bleach with water for an all-over clean. To do this, mix 1 part bleach with 4 parts water and don a pair of protective gloves. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the shoes with the bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.

Cleaning White Shoes with Toothpaste

If you have toothpaste on hand, it can be used to quickly wash a pair of white sneakers. Use an all-white toothpaste (a toothpaste with baking soda in it is preferable) and a toothbrush to gently scrub the shoes all over. Once you've scrubbed the entire surface of the shoes, let them sit for 15 minutes. Then, use a damp washcloth to wipe away the dried toothpaste.