Clean White Shoes in 4 Easy Steps

1. 1

   Combine 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water with dish soap. To clean your shoes, you can use any liquid dish soap. To prepare 1 serving, measure out 4 teaspoons (about 9 milliliters, or ml) of soap to make the water sudsy without clouding it. In order to ensure that the cleaning solution is thoroughly blended, stir it with a toothbrush. [1]

   • All types of shoes, including white leather, benefit most from being washed with soap and water.
   • As an alternative to dish soap, you can use 1⁄2 white vinegar, about 1 cup (120 ml) [2]

2. 2

   Use a magic eraser to scrub the rubber bottoms and trim. You can clean the magic eraser by soaking it in soapy water and wringing it out. Use quick, back-and-forth motions to wipe down the leather, rubber, or plastic sections of your footwear. Maintain vigorous erasing until all marks and discoloration have vanished. [3]

   • You can find the magic erasers in the cleaning supplies at any department store.

   Advertisement

3. 3

   Use a toothbrush with a lot of bristles to scrub the stain. Submerge the toothbrush's head in water to wet the bristles. Rub the bristles around the shoe's surface, paying special attention to any particularly stained areas. Lightly rub the cleaning solution into the fabric of the shoe. [4]

   • If you want to avoid any misunderstandings, don't bring your toothbrush into the bathroom with you when you clean.

   One thing you can do if your white shoelaces get dirty is to remove them from your shoes and clean them individually with a toothbrush.

4. 4

   Rub the area dry with a towel. Wipe the soapy water and dirt from the shoe with a cloth or paper towel. If you don't want the dirt to spread back across the fabric of your shoes, avoid wiping them down with a towel. [5]

   • Don't waste your towel trying to get every drop of moisture out of your footwear. Excess cleaning solution can be removed by simply lifting the area.

5. 5

   Let your shoes dry naturally. After a quick pat with the towel, set them up in a well-ventilated area of your home to dry completely. Don't wear them for at least two or three hours after taking them off. [6]

   • It's best to clean your shoes at night and let them dry while you sleep.

Advertisement

1. 1

   Bleach should be diluted with water at a ratio of 1:5. Mix the bleach and water in a small container and work in a well-ventilated area inside your home. It's important to avoid over-bleaching, as this can turn white fabrics, like shoes, yellow. [7]

   • White fabric shoes are best cleaned with bleach.
   • To avoid skin irritation, use nitrile gloves when handling bleach.

2. 2

   Use a circular motion with a toothbrush to break up stubborn stains. Cleaning your shoes with a toothbrush and bleach solution is as easy as dipping the toothbrush in the solution. Pay particular attention to heavily soiled or stained areas, and apply gentle pressure there. The stains should be released from the material. [8]

   • The fabric of your shoes is the first thing to clean, before moving on to the harder parts, like the soles.

3. 3

   Take a damp towel and wipe the bleach solution off your shoes. Dampen a plush microfiber towel by soaking it in a sink full of clean, warm water and wringing it out. Use a light touch as you wipe your feet with the towel. [9]

   • Shoes can have their insoles removed and washed in the sink if necessary.

4. 4

   Shoes need to dry in an open space. You should wait at least 5-6 hours before wearing your shoes again if they have been wet. If you can, let them air out overnight so they can dry completely. [10]

   • To hasten the drying process, position a fan in front of your shoes.

Advertisement

1. 1

   Making a paste out of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda (14 g), 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of hot water to a bowl and mix well. So long as a thick paste remains after mixing, the solution is ready to be used. It will start to fizz and bubble as the baking soda and vinegar react. [11]

   • Cleaning shoes made of canvas, mesh, or fabric is easiest with baking soda.
   • Just add another teaspoon (5 g) of baking soda if your paste is too watery.

2. 2

   Use a toothbrush to work the baking soda paste into your footwear. To apply toothpaste to the inside of your shoes, simply dip the toothbrush head into the container. Brush the paste onto the fabric by applying light pressure to the bristles. Apply the baking soda paste to your shoes completely. [12]

   • Make sure the paste doesn't dry into the bristles of your toothbrush by giving it a good rinse after use.

3. 3

   Wait three to four hours for the paste to dry on the shoes. Leave the shoes out in the sun for a while so the paste can set. Keep them in the open air until the paste has dried enough to be scratched with a fingernail. [13]

   • Put your shoes in a sunny window or a well-ventilated area if you can't leave them outside.

4. 4

   Click your heels together and brush off the dried paste to reveal clean soles. Simply smacking the bottoms of your shoes together outside will cause the paste to crumble and fall to the ground. A dry toothbrush can be used to remove any remaining dried paste chunks and restore a pristine appearance to your shoes. [14]

   • Work inside by spreading a sheet to catch the dried paste if you can't do it outside.

Advertisement

1. 1

   To make your shoes more comfortable, wet them down with a damp cloth. Use the dampened end of a microfiber cloth or towel to wipe your shoes down. So that the toothpaste can foam, wet your shoes a little bit but not completely. [15]

   • Put some toothpaste on some mesh or fabric and wear it on your sneakers.

2. 2

   Apply toothpaste to the shoes by rubbing a small amount of it in with a toothbrush (about the size of a pea). Apply the toothpaste directly to the stained area of your shoes. Smear on a thin layer of toothpaste and then use your toothbrush to apply gentle, circular strokes to cover the area thoroughly. To make your shoes last longer, use toothpaste and work it into the material, then set them aside for 10 minutes. [16]

   • You should use a white, non-gel toothpaste. Shoe stains from other colors are possible.

3. 3

   Put a damp cloth to use to remove the toothpaste and grime. To remove the toothpaste from your shoes, use the same wet cloth you used earlier. To avoid permanent marks, brush the toothpaste completely off your shoes. [17]

4. 4

   After 2 or 3 hours, check the progress of the drying process. Put your footwear in a spot where it can air out, such as in front of a fan or a window. Allow the shoes to air dry completely. After drying, your shoes should be lighter in color. [18]

   • To hasten the drying process, put your shoes in direct sunlight.

Advertisement

Put Your Mind to the Test