How To Keep Tennis Shoes Clean

how to clean white sneakers — simple tricks to clean white sneakers.

Years have passed since the last time I welcomed a pair of white sneakers into my wardrobe. To be frank, I avoided wearing white sneakers like the Plague. However, since this style has been popularized in recent seasons, I began to feel nostalgic about my teen years spent in white sneakers. Knowing what it felt like to wear them back in the 80s and 90s, I couldn't resist the temptation to buy a new pair of Nike sneakers. But why am I writing a blog on how to keep white sneakers clean? What prompted me was a conversation I had with a couple of girlfriends who questioned how we can keep those shoes as white and clean.

My new sneakers from Nike costs less than $80 US.

The outcome of buying white sneakers

If you have a pair of white sneakers, you know well how hard it is to keep them clean after a couple of wears. They look so fresh and spotless in the first wear or two but lose their whiteness and start to look dirty once they hit the pavement, gravel, or grass. In 2016 I bought a pair of Original Adidas sneakers to wear on a Mediterranean vacation and never wore them again. The problem was I neglected to keep these white sneakers clean. They got so dirty touring around old cities and ancient terrains! This time, I plan to keep these shoes as white as a pearl for as long as possible. Therefore, to do so, here are some tips I've recently learned, which you'll hopefully find helpful. And it may give you the courage to buy a pair of white sneakers.

White sneakers are beautiful and comfortable. But they get dirty quickly. So here are simple tips to keeping them white clean.

The cleaning tools list

Let's start off by listing what you need for your white sneakers:spray-on protector repellent, an old toothbrush, gentle wipes,baking soda, toothpaste, shampoo, dish soap, and bleach. As you can see, most of these products are probably already sitting in your cabinets waiting to be summoned in for service.

Shield white sneakers from harm

You know thesespray-on protectors every salesperson suggests you get each time you buy a pair of shoes? I always dreaded paying that extra $15 and didn't like the sales pressure. But apparently, they are worth the investment, especially if you have light-colored shoes. So next time you go shoe shopping or order online, buy the spray-on-stain-and-water repellent. You'll use them to spray your white sneakers repeatedly every 2 to 3 weeks. The spray is made to protect shoes from dirt and stains, so you don't have to worry too much about walking on grass or accidentally spilling wine on them.

Wipe your white sneakers after every wear

If the white sneakers aren't stained, you probably want to consider wiping them to keep them pure white. Simply start off by gently brushing off dirt with a dry toothbrush, then use a mild cleaner to wipe them. You could use a makeup wipe or use a wet white cloth with a drop of mild soap to wipe the shoes.

Deep clean these white sneakers now and again

There are few ways to do a good deep clean for white sneakers. You may either use baking soda, toothpaste, bleach or throw them in the washing machine. I'm going to start off with my favorite option, which is baking soda. In my opinion, it's the safest and most effective way since I know from experience, baking soda does a beautiful job cleaning my kitchen sink and oven.

Clean white sneakers with baking soda

As I stated, cleaning with baking soda is one of my favourite options since bleach is a harsh chemical and smells noxious. Plus, I am not a huge fan of putting shoes in the washing machine. Hence the best way to clean white sneakers with baking soda requires using a toothbrush:
First, mix 1 tablespoon of hot water with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda. Next, mix the ingredients to a paste and apply them on the canvas area and the sole with a toothbrush. Subsequently, apply the paste in circular motions and when done, place the shoes somewhere dry and warm (outside in the shadow) for few hours. Afterward, shake off the dry mixture by clapping the shoes or using the toothbrush.

Try toothpaste!

White toothpaste can be used to clean white sneakers

Essentially, instead of baking soda, use toothpaste to clean white sneakers. However, it is recommended to applynon-gel white toothpaste as colored toothpaste can stain the shoes. Once the toothpaste is applied to the sneakers, let it dry up for few hours and then dust off the dry paste.

Bleach solution

I'm not an advocate of using bleach. As I mentioned earlier, I don't like the smell of bleach and find it appalling. But it can also be a way to clean white sneakers. First, add a couple of drops to hot water. Then, with a toothbrush, apply the solution on the shoes then rinse it off with a damp white cloth to lessen the smell.

Throw white sneakers in the washing machine

I know some people swear by this method, but it's not something I would personally do because the process consumes lots of water and electric power. Firstly, it is recommended to remove the lace and any additional insoles from the sneakers. Then place the sneakers in a mesh bag or cloth bag and put in in the washing machine. Next, use the gentle cycle with cold water and some detergent. Once the washing cycle is completed, you could either place the shoes outside if the weather is hot and dry. Or place the shoes on a rack in the drying machine and set it to dry.

Tip to clean shoe lace

Using a stain remover is a simple tip, yet it didn't cross my mind until recently. Essentially, you'd spray shoelaces with stain remover and allow them to sit for a day. Then wash them with warm water and detergent and let them hang dry!

Summary: keeping white shoes clean is simple, but one should get into the routine of wiping them out after use and deep cleaning them periodically.

Trendy White Sneakers

A side note: Elle Muse is a marketing affiliate which means we do get a small financial reward (commission) on orders you may place through the links. However, it doesn't cost you more to shop through this site. We simply curate our favourite pieces and offer suggestions. Your support helps sustain Elle Muse blog. Happy shopping.  Privacy policy: click here.