How To Clean White Sneakers the Right Way

Nothing’s worse than dirty shoes, especially previously white ones. Today, we’ll discuss how to clean white sneakers properly.

Remember when you first took those beautiful white sneakers out of the box? They were made of pristine, classy ivory-toned leather. Or, perhaps, an immaculate light beige canvas — the way you always wanted them to look.

And that’s why it’s important to know how to clean white sneakers properly.

Remember, they’re white sneakers — not gray sneakers, not white with spots. Keeping them clean is a big part of ensuring their versatility. And besides, nothing looks less grown-up than dirty sneakers.

Whether you’re sporting retro-cool Converse high-tops or luxurious Common Projects (or any cool alternatives), keep them clean. Here’s how. 

How To Clean White Sneakers — Any Kind

The two most common and classic types of white sneakers are canvas shoes and leather sneakers. We’ll discuss how to clean both kinds, starting with leather.

Cleaning White Leather Shoes

Here’s what you’ll need to get your white leather shoes squeaky clean:

• Saddle soap. Fiebings saddle soap for white leather is a cost-effective option
• Horsehair dauber brushes (you’ll likely need two)
• Warm water
• Leather conditioner. I like Venetian shoe cream because it is neutral and works on all leather colors.
• Undyed microfiber cloths. You can also use paper towels or old white clothes.

Alright, let’s get cleaning!

First, Remove the Laces and Get Any Excess Dirt Off

By removing the laces, you can clean the eyelet stays more thoroughly. Trust me, dirt loves to get into those areas.

Moreover, you don’t want your leather-specific ingredients getting into your laces.

To remove excess dirt, start by clapping the outsoles of both shoes together. You can do this by holding each by their collar, then literally banging them against each other.

This ensures that bigger dirt particles don’t scratch the surface of the leather while you’re cleaning. Even more, your soap can focus on more important dirt particles. It can tackle those teeny tiny ones trying to imbed themselves onto the shoe surface.

Lather Up!

As with cleaning your own body, you’ll want to create soap suds to clean your leather. This allows the soap molecules to disperse effectively, dividing and conquering the dirt and grease.

Open your saddle soap and fill the top up with warm water. Take your brush and dip it into the soap. Then, dip it into the water-filled top and make circles until you start to see a healthy, thick lather.

Soap up Your Shoes

Take your lathered-up brush and apply it to the first shoe you’re cleaning. Make sure to go one shoe at a time.

Go in small circular motions all throughout the surface of the shoe. If there are darker, stained areas, start there, then move outwards.

You’ll want to be pretty aggressive when you get to the eyelets, the outsoles, and any other seams and stitches. There are loads of nooks and crannies for dirt to get into in these particular places.

Make sure to lather up the entire upper.

Wipe the Lather Off of the Shoes

Now, take your cloth or towel and gently wipe off all of the suds.

Once all of the lather is gone, take another dry cloth and start drying off the surface. 

You want to be liberal about your cloth usage here. If you continue to use a cloth that’s at capacity, you’ll just end up reapplying water and soap to the surface.

This is why it’s a good idea to use cloths over paper towels. Clothes are more economical and better for the environment.

Clean Up the Other Shoe

Repeat all of these steps on the other shoe. Leather him up, then wipe him down.

This way, one shoe isn’t sitting in suds longer than the other.

Use a Leather Conditioner

I know this is a gross comparison, but remember that leather is skin at the end of the day. Your skin needs moisturizer, and your hair needs conditioner.

So, your white leather shoes do as well.

Apply your leather conditioner to another clean cloth.

Then, apply it to the shoe in small, circular motions, just as you did with the soap. 

Once you’ve got the cream on the entire surface, take a horsehair brush to the eyelet stays and seams. This ensures the conditioner gets into the tightest spots.

Buff the Surface

Last but not least, take your horse hair brush and swipe the surface of the leather once or twice. This way, you get rid of excess conditioner.

How To Clean White Canvas Sneakers

Now that you know how to clean your white leather, let’s get into how to clean white canvas sneakers.

 Of course, you’ll need a slightly different arsenal for this.

• Again, microfiber cloths, paper towels, or old white clothes
• A toothbrush
• Warm or cool water. Just make sure it isn’t hot 
• Laundry detergent
• Baking soda

Again, You’ll Start by Removing the Laces and Clapping Your Shoes Together

Get that excess dirt off! 

Canvas is more absorbent than leather. If you leave loose dirt on it, it will find crevices to cling to when it gets wet.

Once you’ve banged the shoes together, give the surface a quick toothbrushing.

Create a Solution Using Laundry Detergent

Take a teaspoon of detergent and one cup of water. Mix them up with a stirrer to create suds.

Remember, suds are key.

I also like to shake the solution up in a mason jar.

Apply Your Solution to Your Shoe (Again, One at a Time)

Dip your clean cloth into the solution. As you did with your leather cleaner, make small circular motions all throughout the shoe’s surface. 

And just as you did with your leather shoes, feel free to rub more vigorously on seams, the eyelet stays, and the outsoles. 

If your shoe has a rubber toe cap, like Converse Chucks do, feel free to take the toothbrush to it.

Wipe Up and Let Dry

Now, take a dry cloth or paper towel and soak up any excess soap and water from the canvas surface. 

Again, be liberal with your clothing usage. Once the cloth is fully saturated, use a new one.

Once you’ve dried each shoe as much as possible, keep them in a dry, cool room with ample ventilation for 24 hours.

Baking Soda Spot Treatment

If, after all of that, you still see stains on your shoes, baking soda is your friend.

You can create a stain remover by mixing one part baking soda and two parts water. Take your toothbrush, dip it into the mixture, then gently brush the stain out.

Be patient. For stubborn stains, I’ve noticed that I’d often have to brush for a good ten minutes, then wait for another 20 to see the stain fade.

Are you wondering how to clean white cloth sneakers or even white mesh sneakers? You’d do it exactly as you would with canvas shoes.

With mesh, I’d make more use of the toothbrush since there’s more topography on the surface.

Cleaning the Laces of Your White Sneakers

If your laces are over-the-top grimy, falling apart even, just get rid of them. There’s no point in wasting energy on a lost cause.

Otherwise, cleaning shoelaces is an easy process.

Start by taking your toothbrush and brushing it off. Again, it’s important to get rid of excess dirt. 

Then, take bleach and water (three tablespoons of bleach to a gallon of water) and submerge the laces. This should take about ten minutes.

Hang them in a cool, dry area, or simply take a hairdryer to them. Don’t throw them in the dryer.

If they don’t need bleaching, you can just throw them in the washing machine with your other clothes. Just make sure to put them in a mesh bag so they don’t unravel or get caught on anything. 

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about cleaning white sneakers!

Can You Wash White Sneakers in the Washing Machine?

Usually, no, but some new models are built to withstand the washer and dryer. However, they often have special instructions. For example, many come with a special washer bag to throw them in before tossing them in the machine.

What’s the Best Way To Clean White Shoes?

White leathers need leather soap and conditioner, while you can clean canvas and cloth shoes using laundry detergent. Clean them one by one.

Conclusion: Keep Your Whites White

Looking good (and put together) is all in the details.

White sneakers are menswear classics, but they won’t look particularly classic if dirty. Even more, knowing how to clean white sneakers ensures they last longer.

Have you ever cleaned your white sneakers, or do you prefer to send them to a professional? Would you try doing it yourself now that you know how? Let me know in the comments! We love hearing from you!