This article was co-authored by Penny Simmons and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Penny Simmons is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Founder of Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With over 25 years of experience, Penny specializes in shoe cleaning and shining. Penny offers shoe shining at special events, kiosks in Toronto’s underground city, The PATH, and drop-off services. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company also operates the oldest shoeshine parlor in Canada. Penny Loafers Shoe Shine Company has been featured in Best of The City - Toronto Life, Saturday Night Magazine, National Post, Globe & Mail, and Toronto Star.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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If you've got white shoes, the thought of grass stains, smudges, or scratches might make you too wary to actually wear them. However, you can protect your shoes as well as remove any stains with a few simple steps, no matter what they're made of.
Steps
Pre-Treating Your Shoes
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1Choose a stain repellent formulated for your type of shoes. Before wearing your white shoes, you can apply a stain repellent to them to keep them clean. Shake the bottle, then spray a thin, even layer over the entire shoe. Repeat on the other shoe.[1] Don't forget to spray the soles and laces too, if applicable.[2]
- If your shoes are made out of leather or suede, purchase a leather stain repellant.
- If your shoes are made of canvas or mesh, most types of stain repellents will work, such as Scotchguard.
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2Apply a water repellent to protect your shoes from rain and snow. Once the stain repellent has dried completely, you can use a water repellent to further protect your shoes. Shake the can or bottle, then spray the entire shoe in a thin, even layer. Repeat on the other shoe and let the product dry thoroughly before wearing them.[3]
- If the stain repellent you used is also a water repellent, you can skip this step.
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3Repeat the process every few weeks. Once applied, the stain and water repellent will only last for a few weeks. Make sure to reapply the repellants every few weeks to ensure your shoes stay stain-free.[4]
Cleaning White Shoes
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1Avoid using the washing machine or dryer. Though you may be tempted to throw your dirty shoes in the washing machine, it's better to avoid this. You shouldn't attempt to dry them using the dryer, either.[5]
- The heat and agitation of the machines can cause the material can break down and wear your shoes out faster.
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2Use a cleaning eraser sponge on canvas or leather. If your shoes have dirt or grime on them, you can easily get rid of it. Simply rub the spot with a magic eraser sponge or wipe until it's completely removed.[6]
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3Try a little rubbing alcohol for patent leather shoes. For patent leather shoes, dip a cotton swab or clean cloth in rubbing alcohol. Then, use it to scrub and remove the stain. Wipe away any excess rubbing alcohol with a paper towel or cloth when you're done.[7]
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4Buff out stains on suede shoes with an emery board. If you have small stains or spots on your white suede shoes, don't panic! Just take an emery board (also called a nail file) and gently rub it back and forth over the stain. It'll be gone in no time.[8]
- You can also use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and grime from suede shoes.
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5Clean rubber shoes with dish soap and water. If your rain boots or rubber flip-flops are covered in mud or grime, it's easy to get them looking like new again.[9] Just squirt a little dish soap into a bowl of water and dip a rag in the mixture. Wipe down the rubber with the rag, then rinse the shoes with plain water.[10]
- You can also scrub down your shoes with a toothbrush.[11]
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6Remove salt stains from any type of shoe with vinegar and water. Mix 1 part water with 1 part white vinegar in a small bowl. Dip a clean rag into the mixture, then use it to scrub the salt stains away. Wipe the shoes with a rag dampened with water, then soak up excess moisture by blotting them with a dry rag.[12]
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7Let your shoes air dry out of direct sunlight. While your shoes may dry faster outside on a sunny day, the heat and light can damage the fabric or material. Instead, you should let your shoes dry indoors.[13]
- Stuff them with newspaper or paper towels to help absorb the excess moisture, if you wish.
Keeping Your Shoes in Good Shape
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1Avoid wearing white shoes on rainy days. If you know it's bound to rain or snow, choose a shoe that won't get dirty quite so easily. The moisture, grime, and salt can turn your shoes from white to dingy in no time. Save your white shoes for days when the weather is fair.[14]
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2Sprinkle baking soda in your shoes to absorb odors. When your shoes start to smell bad, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda directly onto the insole of the shoe. The baking soda will absorb moisture as well as odors. Just dump out the baking soda before you wear the shoes again.
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3Store your shoes out of direct sunlight. Too much sun exposure can lead to discoloration and fading. When you're not wearing your white shoes, keep them inside. Store them in a cool, dry place, such as your closet.[15]
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4Polish leather shoes regularly. To keep your shoes looking their best, you can apply some white shoe polish after cleaning them. Dip a soft cloth in the polish, then apply it to the shoe in small, circular motions.[16]
- Be sure to coat all the leather evenly, and allow the polish to dry completely before storing or wearing the shoes.
- Always apply your polish in a paper-thin layer.[17]
Things You'll Need
- Stain repellant
- Water repellant
- Magic eraser or wipes
- Emery board
- Vinegar
- Dish soap
- Clean rags
- Newspaper
- Paper towels
- Shoe polish
References
- ↑ https://fashionista.com/2014/08/white-leather-how-to-clean
- ↑ https://theidleman.com/manual/mens-trainers/keep-white-shoes-white/
- ↑ https://fashionista.com/2014/08/white-leather-how-to-clean
- ↑ https://fashionista.com/2014/08/white-leather-how-to-clean
- ↑ http://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-clean-white-sneakers
- ↑ http://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-clean-white-sneakers
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a47179/how-to-clean-shoes/
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a47179/how-to-clean-shoes/
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ https://consumerist.com/2015/01/27/how-to-protect-your-shoes-through-salt-and-snow/
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ https://consumerist.com/2015/01/27/how-to-protect-your-shoes-through-salt-and-snow/
- ↑ https://consumerist.com/2015/01/27/how-to-protect-your-shoes-through-salt-and-snow/
- ↑ https://www.today.com/style/keep-your-white-sneakers-spotless-final-word-cleaning-your-kicks-t88761
- ↑ http://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-clean-white-sneakers
- ↑ https://theidleman.com/manual/mens-trainers/keep-white-shoes-white/
- ↑ Penny Simmons. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ http://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-clean-white-sneakers
About This Article
To protect your white shoes, try pre-treating them to prevent stains and cleaning them regularly so they look fresh. Spray a thin layer of stain repellant onto your shoes before wearing them. After the stain repellant is dry, repeat the process with water repellant to protect your shoes if they get wet. If your shoes are made from canvas or leather, rub off any dirt with a sponge or wipe. You’ll need to use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to remove dirt from patent leather shoes. Try to avoid wearing white shoes on days that are damp or snowy, since grime and moisture can easily turn your shoes a much darker color. Store them out of direct sunlight, which can cause your shoes to look faded. For tips on how to remove odors from your shoes, keep reading!
