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How to Clean White Shoes: A Guide to Restoring Sneakers & Boots

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From chunky to canvas, white sneakers simply never go out of fashion. In fact, we’d be willing to bet that you have at least one pair in your closet.

White has so many pluses; it’s such a classic color and goes well with everything. But there’s just one little catch… white shoes are like magnets for scuffs, marks, and stains.

Your favorite white sneakers may be more susceptible to showing dirt, but this doesn’t mean you should immediately banish all white shoes from your closet. With proper cleaning and maintenance, they can last a lot longer than people think.

Let’s explore how to clean white shoes with step-by-step guides for every shoe type. With our help, your sneakers will look as good as new.

What You’ll Need

We know you’re keen to get going, but before you start cleaning your white sneakers, it’s important to source all the right supplies and tools. Otherwise, you might have to make a painful trip to the store halfway through the process.

For fresh, clean white shoes, you will need:

These are the general products you will need for each type of sneaker. We will go into specifics for canvas, leather, suede, mesh, and rubber materials below.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guides by Material

How to clean your white shoes will depend on the material. Here, we provide helpful step-by-step guides to ensure you get it right for your shoe type. Let’s get cleaning!

Canvas Sneakers

White canvas sneakers are the perfect lightweight shoes for the beach or a casual dog walk. However, their absorbent material means they can soon pick up scuffs or stains.

If you’ve noticed them looking a little more battered recently, here’s how you can restore their original beauty:

  1. Using a spoon, mix one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of white vinegar together with a cup of warm water. Keep mixing until it becomes a paste

  2. Begin dabbing a small amount of paste onto the stains on your sneakers, then lightly scrub the marks with a toothbrush

  3. Scrub until the stain has disappeared, then leave your shoes to air-dry. Keep them away from direct sunlight or heaters

  4. Once dry, the remaining paste can be gently scraped off

Leather Sneakers & Boots

A timeless classic, white leather sneakers are a staple in everyone’s closet. Water, dirt, salt, oil, and ink are all common culprits for staining leather. However, it’s one of the easiest materials to clean.

Here’s how you can keep your white leather sneakers looking fresh and new:

  1. Buff your sneakers with a shoe brush to remove any caked-on dirt

  2. Thoroughly mix a cup of water with one tablespoon of white wine vinegar using a spoon

  3. Dampen a cloth with the mixture and wipe it gently over your sneakers, focusing on the stained areas. Make sure the cloth isn’t too damp, as leather doesn’t react well to lots of water

  4. Leave your shoes to air-dry, keeping them away from direct sunlight or heaters

  5. Once they’re dry, buff the leather with our Instant Shine Sponge to add shine and remove any remaining scuff marks

Suede Shoes & Boots

While they’re not as popular as leather sneakers, white suede sneakers are great for meals out or those smart/casual events where you’re never quite sure what shoes to wear. Suede has a reputation for being difficult to clean, but knowledge is power!

As long as you follow our tips below, there’s no going wrong:

  1. Using a toothbrush, lightly apply a small amount of suede and nubuck foaming cleaner

  2. Scrub gently with the grain in the direction that the suede naturally sits

  3. Once your sneakers are looking clean, remove the excess product with a cloth and leave your sneakers to dry for 30 minutes

  4. To protect and prevent further damage, spritz your sneakers with our Rain and Stain

Mesh/Fabric Shoes

Lightweight and flexible, white mesh shoes are ideal for active people seeking breathable sneakers. This material keeps feet cool and dry by allowing air circulation, which prevents sweat and reduces odor. Despite this, they still need cleaning.

For clean white mesh shoes, simply:

  1. Use a toothbrush to remove any loose dirt or debris from the shoes

  2. Mix equal parts baking soda and warm water in a bowl, especially for tougher stains

  3. Brush the shoes with the cleaning solution, then gently scrub the mesh in circular motions. You can be firmer with the soles

  4. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the shoes and remove the cleaning solution

  5. Let the shoes air dry

Rubber Soles

There are various methods for cleaning white rubber soles. All of them are equally effective, so you can choose which hack is best based on your own preferences and how dirty your shoes are.

  • Baking soda and white vinegar: Make a paste by mixing baking soda with a little white vinegar and apply it to the soles with a toothbrush. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then wipe or rinse it clean.

  • Magic eraser: Wet a magic eraser and scrub the soles to remove dirt and grime. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

  • Dish soap and water: Use warm water with a squirt of dish soap and scrub the solution onto your soles with a brush. Rinse or wipe clean to finish.

For colors other than white, read our ultimate how to clean shoes guide.

How to Clean White Shoelaces

The thought of cleaning your shoelaces is always daunting. At some point, we’ve all cleaned our white shoes and managed to convince ourselves that not doing the shoelaces doesn’t matter.

But wait, stop there. We have good news! Cleaning white shoelaces isn’t actually that annoying. Simply use these two methods.

Hand-washing (for mild cleaning):

  1. Brush off loose dirt from the laces with a toothbrush

  2. Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild laundry detergent, and mix

  3. Submerge the laces for 30 minutes or more in the bowl

  4. Scrub the dirty areas on the shoelaces using your toothbrush

  5. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove the cleaning solution and air dry

Bleach soak (for stubborn stains):

  1. Prepare the bleach solution in a bowl using one part bleach for five parts water

  2. Submerge the laces in the bowl for 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t leave it any longer; otherwise, you may damage your shoelaces

  3. Drain the bleach solution and rinse the laces multiple times under cold water

  4. If they still look a little dirty, you can machine wash them in a laundry bag with detergent

  5. Let them air dry

Safety tip: When using bleach, please work in a well-ventilated area, use gloves, and keep it away from your skin.

Removing Stubborn Stains & Yellowing

For stubborn stains and signs of yellowing on your white sneakers, use a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste to lift pesky dirt and brighten. Simply mix to form a paste and then apply the solution to the marks with a soft brush, before letting it sit for 30 minutes and rinsing.

For a natural bleaching effect, you can also try applying diluted lemon juice (with water) on stains and allowing the shoes to dry in indirect sunlight.

If you find that the cleaning process has caused your white shoes to turn a shade of yellow, this is usually due to detergent residue. If so, make sure you rewash your sneakers with a gentle cleaner and rinse thoroughly.

Drying & Aftercare

You’ll be pleased to know that this is the easy bit. All you need to do is air dry your sneakers in a cool, shaded area to prevent fading or yellowing – that’s it! Make sure you avoid the temptation of speeding up the process with dryers or heaters.

Another top tip is to stuff your shoes with paper towels or newspaper to maintain shape and absorb moisture as they dry.

For suede, leather, and textile footwear, we recommend using our Rain and Stain Protector. This casts an invisible veil over your white shoes, protecting them from unwelcome elements such as rain and mud. In doing so, it helps your white shoes look brand new for longer.

How to Clean White Shoes FAQs

  • Q: What is the safest way to clean white leather sneakers at home without damaging the material?

    A: Use a water-and-white-wine-vinegar solution to gently wipe the surface of your leather shoes with a soft cloth. Let it air-dry, then buff the leather with our Instant Shine Sponge. This method will stop you from damaging your sneakers and prevent cracking.

  • Q: How can I remove yellow stains from white rubber soles on my shoes or boots?

    A: Apply a paste of baking soda and white vinegar. Scrub the yellow stains with a soft brush, and then let it sit for 15 minutes or more. Rinse and repeat the process until the yellowing starts to fade. You can find some alternative methods in this guide.

  • Q: What household products are effective for cleaning white canvas shoes and keeping them bright?

    A: For cleaning white canvas shoes, we recommend household products like baking soda and white vinegar. You may also use a mild detergent. These ingredients will help break down dirt and stubborn stains, brightening the fabric without damaging it.

  • Q: How do I clean white suede boots without causing water marks or discoloration?

    A: For white suede shoes, we suggest using a toothbrush and a small amount of suede and nubuck foaming cleaner. Gently dab this onto the suede without soaking it, and let it air-dry properly. This helps to avoid watermarks or discoloration.

  • Q: Can I put my white sneakers in the washing machine, and what settings should I use to avoid ruining them?

    A: The washing machine is safe for most fabric sneakers on a gentle, delicate wash. Make sure the water temperature is low, and place the shoes in a mesh laundry bag. Also, remove shoelaces and insoles.

    Note: Avoid putting leather or suede shoes in the washing machine.

Prevention: Keeping White Shoes Clean

When it comes to keeping your sneakers white, prevention and maintenance are key. Here are some things you can do to help keep your shoes clean:

  • Make use of our Rain and Stain for protection against all the elements. Spritz your shoes each time you’re ready to leave the house to form an invisible barrier against dirt, stains, and water.

  • While we can’t always predict the weather, try not to wear your white sneakers when rain or snow is forecast. Stick to the sidewalk and avoid grassy or sandy surfaces that could easily stain your shoes.

  • For general upkeep, wipe away dirt with our Premium Shoe Wipes. Finish with a quick spritz of Shoe Refresher to keep your shoes smelling their best.

When to Replace Your White Shoes

Has nothing in this guide on how to clean white shoes worked? If so, it might be time to admit defeat. Unfortunately, it looks like you will have to say goodbye to your beloved sneakers and welcome a fresh, stylish new pair into your life.

If you need to expand your sneaker collection, our men’s white sneakers and women’s white sneakers will ensure you turn heads on every corner.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now feel empowered to look after your white shoes and improve their longevity. For clean white shoes every time, simply follow the step-by-step guides we have shared.

If it’s time for a new pair, Clarks has you covered with the finest sneakers (men/women) and boots in the business.

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