How to Keep White Sneakers Clean: 5 DIY Hacks with Household Basics

Sometimes the fashion trend encourages sparkling clean white sneakers, sometimes a well-traveled shoe is appreciated. Whether you are trying to maintain your trendy white sneakers, or wishing to clean up a pair of white tennis shoes that experienced just a bit too much of life for your liking, below I share simple ways to keep white sneakers clean and restore them if they get dirty.

Many of these tips can be accomplished with items you already have in your home! There is a good chance the products suggested are hiding out under your sink, in your laundry room, or in your medicine cabinet!

How to Keep White Sneakers Clean: 5 DIY Hacks with Household Basics

1. Toothpaste and Toothbrush

After using a toothbrush to flake away any dirt, a little bit of white toothpaste on a damp toothbrush can do wonders for cleaning leather sneakers. I find this to be most effective for the nooks and crannies where it's hard to reach.

Be sure it is all-white toothpaste and not a gel. If it is a fresh toothbrush, no need for water. But if it is old, wet the bristles and then dry with a towel to regain the softness to not scratch the leather.

Be sure to rinse away any toothpaste with a damp cloth and dry quickly; saturated leather can shrink and get stiff. If you don't have white toothpaste, a paste made from baking soda and water can also work.

2. OxiClean and Toothbrush

Oxygen cleaners like OxiClean are a fantastic way to clean white canvas sneakers. Combine OxiClean with enough water to form a paste and use the toothbrush to apply and gently work it into the canvas. Let it sit up to three hours, then rinse clean. You can soak them in a bucket of water, your tub, or just have them go through the rinse cycle of your machine. Let air dry.

3. Dawn Dish Soap

Dawn dish soap is magic; it's the best for getting out oil, wine, blood, but also shoe stains. I find a damp sponge or microfiber cloth with a touch of Dawn will wash off superficial dirt and scuffs better than any other laundry or dish detergent.

Use a damp rag to wipe off excess soap, then follow with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture to keep your leather shoes feeling supple.

4. Magic Eraser

A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser dampened with water, is your best friend for getting soles and whitewalls clean again. Do a few swipes after each wear to have your shoes sparkling and ready for your next outing. This method also works on white Crocs, Teva sandals, and the white soles of Birkenstocks and other sandals. However, be careful not to use a Magic Eraser on leather or suede as it is too rough and will scratch the finish.

5. Bleach Your Laces

While I wouldn't bleach my shoes, I do find that laces will get grimy and yellow faster than some sneakers, and they don't always get bright white in the wash. Even if my white leather sneakers look dingy, fresh white lace revitalizes them.

Remove the laces from the shoes and place them on a flat surface in a ventilated area. Spray with a bathroom or kitchen cleanser with bleach, and let the laces dry. Once the laces have dried and whitened, rinse them in water until clear or toss them into your next white load of laundry.

If you don't have bleach, you can also whiten your shoelaces with a paste of water and OxiClean or another oxygen stain remover. Use an old toothbrush to work it into the fabric, let sit for 1-3 hours, then rinse or drop in your next laundry load that would benefit from a touch of OxiClean!

Tip for Storing White Sneakers

While sunlight is often used to whiten linens and clothing, the sun is not your white sneakers' friend. Sunlight can yellow your sneakers and create contrast between different textiles on the shoes. Whether you are cleaning or storing your white sneakers, keep them out of sunlight and store in a cool dry place.

The Best Way to Keep White Sneakers Clean

The best way to keep white sneakers clean is to remember they are not any old sneakers. Don't wear them when you will have to walk in grass, gravel, or dirt. Choose a different pair on a day with a chance of rain. Be thoughtful when a white sneaker is part of your outfit and don't put them in obvious harm's way.

Take care of your white sneakers and they can look fresh for many years to come. Wipe them down after each wear; even a swipe of a damp rag on the whitewalls and soles can keep them from yellowing over time. Baby water wipes can do double-duty with cleaning off white sneakers at the end of the day. A few seconds after each wear can add years to your shoes' life!

If you have a favorite white sneaker or tip for maintaining white sneakers, share in the comments! Your suggestion may be exactly what another member of the Wardrobe Oxygen community has been needing!