How to Clean White Shoes

White shoes are everywhere in the fashion world. White leather and canvas sneakers are chosen for both style and comfort. There are white slippers, white fabric shoes, patent leather, vinyl, and suede shoes available during every season. While they can be a statement piece, white shoes can be difficult to clean and hard to keep that way.

How Often to Clean White Shoes

Ideally, every type of white shoes should be cleaned after every wearing. This is usually just a quick wipe down with a damp cloth or brush with a soft-bristled brush to remove surface soil and any stains. Taking care of stains when they are fresh is much easier than trying to remove an accumulation of soil. A deeper cleaning should be done when shoes become soiled or before storing white shoes for an extended period.

What You Need to Clean White Canvas and Fabric Shoes

Supplies

• Heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Oxygen-based bleach
• Warm water
• Mesh laundry bag (optional)
• Disinfectant (optional)
• Melamine sponge (optional)

Tools

• Sink or washing machine
• Soft-bristled brush
• Small bowl
• Microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Decide Whether to Machine or Hand Wash

   Many white canvas shoes can be washed in a washing machine. However, shoes with leather or suede trim, beading or rope soles should be hand-cleaned. The agitation action of the washer is too harsh for embellished shoes and can cause glues used in construction to loosen.

2. Remove Laces and Decorations

   Always remove shoelaces, removable insoles, and any decorations you before beginning to clean. Laces should be placed in a small bowl of hot water with a teaspoon of heavy-duty laundry detergent and allowed to soak while the shoes are being washed. Insoles can be hand washed or replaced.

   

3. Machine Washing White Canvas Shoes

   If the shoes are muddy, rinse them off with a hose to prevent clogging your washer. White canvas shoes can be washed with a load of white towels with your regular laundry detergent. If extra whitening is needed, use chlorine or oxygen-based bleach. Use warm water and the normal cycle but chose a lower spin cycle speed to help keep your washer in-balance.

   Pretreat any heavily stained areas by working a bit of laundry detergent directly into the canvas using a soft-bristled brush. Soles that heavily soiled can be cleaned with a melamine sponge (Mr. Clean Eraser).

   

4. Spot Cleaning White Canvas Shoes

   For white canvas espadrilles or shoes that cannot go in the washer, spot clean by mixing one teaspoon of laundry detergent in one quart of warm water. Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and scrub away the soil on the inside and outside of the shoes.

   Complete the cleaning process by dipping another cloth in plain water and wiping away any soapy residue.

   

5. Drying White Canvas Shoes

   Shoes and laces should be air-dried away from direct sunlight and never dried in a tumble dryer on high heat. The heat can cause glues used in constructing the shoes to melt. Wipe down the shoes with a towel to absorb moisture will help to speed drying.

   To help the shoes retain their shape, stuff the toes with nylon mesh.

   

What You'll Need to Clean White Leather Shoes

Whether your smooth leather shoes are athletic sneakers or stiletto heels, you'll only need a few supplies to keep them clean.

Supplies

• Castile, saddle, or mild soap
• Water
• Melamine sponge
• Baking soda (optional)

Tools

• Soft cotton or microfiber cloths

Instructions

1. Wipe Down With Plain Water

   Remove laces, insoles, and decorations. Dip a cotton or microfiber cloth in plain water and wring to remove excess water. Wipe down the entire shoe paying extra attention to seams and areas that have trapped dust and dirt. Move to a clean area of the cloth as the soil is transfer. Allow the shoes to dry for at least 15 minutes.

   

2. Clean the Soles

   Dampen the melamine sponge (Mr. Clean Eraser) and clean the edges of the soles. Do not use the sponge on the leather portions of the shoes, it can remove the top layer of the leather.

   

3. Soap Up

   Wet a clean cloth and rub over the Castile, saddle or Ivory soap to create a soapy lather. Working on a small section with a gentle, circular motion, use the cloth to clean the leather. Begin at the toes and work along the sides and heel.

   If there are tough-to-remove scuffs, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the cleaning cloth and gently rub away the scuff. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive cleaner.

   

4. Rinse and Dry

   Wipe away any soapy residue with a clean cloth dipped in plain water. Don't leave the cloth too wet, wring it well! Allow the shoes to air-dry away from direct sunlight.

   If the shoes are not as white as you would like, repeat the steps.

   

What You'll Need to Clean White Suede or NuBuck Shoes

Suede and NuBuck shoes are not usually bright white—more of an ecru—but they still need to be cleaned carefully.

Supplies

• Distilled White Vinegar
• Paper towels
• Cornstarch or talcum powder

Tools

• Cotton or microfiber cloth
• Art gum eraser
• Suede or soft-bristled brush

Instructions

1. Brush Away Soil

   Begin by brushing the entire shoe with a soft-bristled brush to remove loose and embedded dirt.

2. Tackle Stains

   Sprinkle oily stains with cornstarch or talcum powder to absorb the oil. Leave on the stain for at least one hour and repeat as needed.

   Gently rub any scuffs and stains with the art gum eraser. Do not scrub and work slowly to remove the stains in layers.

   If the eraser doesn't remove the stains, dip a cloth in distilled vinegar and gently rub the stained areas. Blot the treated area with a paper towel to absorb moisture.

3. Dry and Buff

   Allow the suede to dry completely after cleaning and use a suede brush to buff the shoes to lift any matted nap.

What You Need to Clean White Patent Leather or Vinyl Shoes

Patent leather is real leather that has been treated to achieve its glossy finish. The same cleaning techniques that work with patent leather also work with vinyl or man-made shoe finishes.

Supplies

• Water
• Acetone-based nail polish remover
• Cotton ball or swab
• Baking soda
• Dishwashing liquid
• Petroleum jelly

Tools

• Soft cleaning cloth
• Old toothbrush

Instructions

1. Wipe Down With Water

   Dip a soft cleaning cloth in plain water and wipe down the shoes well to remove surface soil.

2. Remove Scuffs and Stains

   Place a bit of acetone-based nail polish remover on a cotton ball and gently rub any scuffed or discolored areas. You can make a paste of one tablespoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon water to gently rub away scuffs and stains. Use a clean cloth damped with plain water as a final rinse.

3. Clean Fabric Edges

   Many patent leather shoes have edges finished with grosgrain ribbon which can become soiled. Mix a solution of one teaspoon dishwashing liquid and one cup of warm water. Dip an old toothbrush into the solution and scrub the fabric edges. Finish by wiping down with a clean damp cloth to remove any soapy residue.

4. Restore the Shine

   If the finish is looking a bit dull, wipe the shoes with a tiny dab of petroleum jelly on a soft cloth. Finish by buffing to a high shine with a soft, dry cloth.