Fashion trends come and fashion trends go, but the one thing that remains timeless are white sneakers. They’re cute, versatile, and can be paired with a number of classic wardrobe choices. But the one setback that white sneakers present is that they can be challenging to maintain. The color white itself only looks good when pristine, crisp, and clean, so dirty shoes can become quite a problem – especially for people whose white sneakers are an essential part of their daily wear. If you’re one of them, and searching for some easy ways to take care of your favorite white sneakers, then this is just the place for you. Here’s a handy guide for you to browse through:
1. Hand Washing Is the Key
While you’ll find numerous guides on how to wash sports shoes in the washing machine without damaging them, you’ll rarely find pieces that will tell you how to clean your shoes by hand the correct way.
The thing about white sneakers is that they require special care. You can’t just throw them in a cold-wash washing machine and spinner – that will actually destroy them.
Instead, you should wash them by hand, and remember: never, ever dip the entire shoe in soapy or bleach-soaked water. That’s because bleach is not the gentlest agent, and too much can destroy the outer fabric of your shoe.
You need to create a mixture of four parts water and one part bleach. Then get a toothbrush, dip it in the solution, and clean all the dirty parts of your white sneaker (note: brush gently and don’t scrub aggressively). Keep repeating until the stains are gone, then wipe your shoe with a soft cloth and they’ll be as good as new.
As for the laces, you’ll need to soak them in warm water and detergent for at least ten minutes before scrubbing with your hands. Let them air dry and they’ll be as good as new.
2. Knowing Your Shoe Protector
Extensive fashionable sneaker wearing and subsequent shoe repair go hand in hand, but the one thing that all professionals agree on is that care for white sneakers specifically starts right out of the box.
This can be done by opting for a sneaker protector that is well-known for repelling stains, liquid, and dirt. You should also check if this protector is suitable for your shoe material.
Other than keeping your sneakers clean from the get-go, a shoe protector can also increase the lifespan of your sneakers. Besides that, it reduces the effects of wear and tear, and some of them can even aptly protect your shoe from fading in UV rays.
3. Cleaning All Those Different Types
White sneakers can be easily maintained with proper care, provided that you know what type you’re working with. Here are various types of white sneakers that you’ll find in the market, and how to clean them:
Running Sneakers
These need to be cleaned off with a simple brush to get all the debris out. After that, you can wipe it with a sneaker cleaner or a mixture of mild detergent and warm water.
Canvas Kicks
These are made of cotton canvas and can be cleaned with a mixture of sneaker cleaner and lukewarm water.
White Mesh
Never use bleach on mesh sneakers. Instead, clean them with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water. After, you should rinse them with cold water and they’ll be as good as new.
4. Cleaning Those White Leather Sneakers
In our opinion, white leather sneakers are one of the best investments that you’ll ever make – and what’s even better is that you can easily clean them when they get dirty. All you need is a toothbrush and a bit of white toothpaste.
Just squeeze some on the bristles, dip it in warm water, and rub it in gentle circles on all the dirty spots. Once again, rub gently and don’t scrub rigorously, as it can damage the leather.
It’s important to note that too much wear and tear can damage a leather sneaker beyond repair. If that’s the case with your shoe and you see that it’s beyond home cleaning, then you can always get the help of a professional leather repairer to fix them for you. A good, reputable company can fix even the most minute scratches or scuffs.
5. Must-Have Items for White Sneaker Cleaning
If you’re a regular wearer of white sneakers; then you need to invest in good quality care items for their proper maintenance. Here’s a list of essentials that you should always keep handy:
- White nail polish: White nail polish is great for covering up any scuffs that show up on your white sneakers.
- A magic eraser: A magic eraser is great for fading away any unwarranted blemishes that show up on your white sneakers.
- Cloth for spot cleaning: In case of any stains, you should always have a clean cloth handy for spot-checking.
- Shoe brush or toothbrush: A toothbrush and shoe brush are essentials for white sneaker aficionados because they help clean hard-to-reach areas.
- Paper towels: If you’ve washed your shoes and want to speed up the drying process, then you should stuff the insides with paper towels.
- Toothpaste: If your sneakers are on the glossy side, then you should use toothpaste to maintain their shine.
Pro tip: One thing that you should always remember while air drying white sneakers is that you should keep sun exposure as minimal as possible because it will make the white of your shoes fade away.
6. Taking Out Oil Stains
If you ever have any inadvertent oil spills on your shoes, then you should get a gentle cleansing shampoo to get it out. All you have to do is gently rub it in and create a lather. Use a brush if the stain is particularly stubborn and it will coax most of it out.
Pro tip: never use aggressive shampoos, as they can destroy the skin of your white canvas.
Now that you’ve educated yourself in all these hacks and maintenance techniques; you can go around and wear your white sneakers fearlessly. All of these tips are easily doable and don’t require too much effort. Plus, now you know exactly what products you’ll need in order to properly care for your sneaks long term.
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