How to Clean and Remove Stains from White Air Force 1s

A complete guide to hand- and machine-washing white sneakers

Co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: January 5, 2023 References

Hand-Washing

|

Machine-Washing

|

Removing Stains and Odors

|

Video

|

Expert Q&A

|

Tips

|

Things You'll Need

ARTICLE

VIDEO

It can be tough to keep those white Air Force Ones sparkling and pristine, and you’ll need to wash them every once in a while to keep them sharp. Thankfully, there are a number of easy ways to refresh your sneakers, and we’ll show you how. We’ve put together a simple guide to hand- and machine washing those slick AFOs, as well as a thorough rundown on stain and odor removal. Don’t trash 'em just yet; we’ll help you get those kicks clean in no time.

Things You Should Know

Remove your laces and insoles, and scrub your sneakers with a cleaning solution of sneaker cleaner, warm water and soap, baking soda and vinegar, or micellar water.
Place your Air Force Ones in a laundry bag and machine-wash them on a delicate cycle with gentle detergent.
Remove tough stains with white toothpaste or a Magic Eraser, and dip your laces in bleach to dye them back to white.
Air-dry your sneakers in a well-ventilated area, like somewhere near a fan or in a shady outdoor spot, for 24 hours.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hand-Washing

1
Remove your shoelaces and stuff shoe trees inside your sneakers. Pull your laces out of your shoes and set them aside to be cleaned separately. To maintain the shape of your sneakers as you wash them, slide shoe trees inside of each shoe. If you don’t have shoe trees, stuff the insides of your sneakers with paper towels.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- A shoe tree is a wood or plastic block with a handle on it. It keeps the fabric, plastic, and rubber from shrinking or creasing when you’re cleaning or not wearing your shoes.
- Avoid stuffing your sneakers with newspaper, as the ink could transfer to your sneakers.
Tip: Machine-washing your sneakers may lead to scuffs or other damage, so try this method before you resort to a washing machine.
2
Fill a bowl with 2–3 cups (470–710 mL) of sneaker cleaner or soapy water. Pour a bit of all-purpose sneaker cleaning solution into a small bowl. If you don’t have a cleaning solution, make your own by mixing 2 cups (470 mL) of water with 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dish soap or laundry detergent.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.} You might also try a number of other cleaning solutions, including:
- Leather cleaner: Leather cleaners are specifically designed to lift stains off of real and synthetic leathers, and will work well on your Air Force Ones.
- Baking soda and white vinegar: Mix 1 tsp (5 g) of baking soda with 2 tsp (9.9 mL) of white vinegar to create a cleaning paste that’s tough on stains when you scrub it onto your sneakers in a circular motion.
- Micellar water: Micellar water is an overlooked cleaning agent and is great for washing white shoes—rub it into your shoes with a microfiber towel.
- Place your shoelaces in the bowl of cleaning solution to let them soak as you work on your shoes.
Advertisement
3
Scrub your shoes with a soft-bristle brush dipped in the cleaning solution. Rub the soft-bristle brush back and forth into the exterior leather of your shoe. Drag the bristles around the leather sole and scrub inside the heel where sweat tends to build up in the lining. Scrub firmly but not aggressively to avoid damaging the shoes. Cover each area of your shoes 2-3 times to ensure that you lift up all the dirt on your sneakers.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- For the tongue, lift it up with your nondominant hand and use quick flicking motions to scrub the leather without wearing it down.
- Scrub the inside fabric around the heel, but you don’t need to shove the brush deep into the insole.
- The cleaning solution may dry out your hands, so wear gloves if you prefer.
4
Step up to a hard-bristle brush if you still see dirt on the shoes. If your shoes still appear dirty, grab a hard-bristle brush. Dip it in your cleaning solution and scrub your shoes a second time. Run the bristles over every section of the shoe to work the cleaner into the leather, rubber, and textile lining. Continue scrubbing until you’ve covered every portion of the sneakers.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- You can use a Magic Eraser instead of a hard-bristled brush if you prefer.
5
Clean tougher scuff marks with a microfiber cloth. Wrap the microfiber cloth around your index finger and dip it in the cleaning solution. Rub any brightly-colored scuff marks or obvious stains with the towel. Rub the mark repeatedly until the stain comes up. In some cases, it can take up to 3-4 minutes of scrubbing a stain to lift it out of the shoe.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- This will only work if it’s actually a scuff mark or stain. If the shoe has been torn and the interior layer of leather is exposed, you’ll need to repair the scratch.
6
Wipe the soap off with a wet towel and let your sneakers air dry. Submerge a microfiber cloth in warm water and rub your shoes with the cloth to remove the soap. Rub the towel around the soles, tongue, and heel. For the soap on the inner lining, blot the area with your cloth to lift the soap out. Let the sneaker air dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area for 24 hours to dry them out.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 April 2021.}
- Set your shoes down next to a fan or open window to air them out. You can leave them outside, but don’t leave them in the sun.
- Leave the shoe trees in your shoes while they air dry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Machine-Washing

1
Put your sneakers in a laundry bag along with your shoelaces. Remove your shoelaces, as well as any inserts, and put plastic shoe trees in the shoes. Stuff your sneakers into a laundry bag designed for delicate clothing. Take your shoelaces and inserts and place them inside the bag separately.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- While you can send any shoe tree through the wash, opt for plastic shoe trees, which aren’t prone to rust or water damage, like metal or wooden shoe trees.
- Alternatively, stuff spare or used socks inside your shoes instead of shoe trees in order to help them keep their shape as you run them through the washing machine.
Tip: It’s best to wash your sneakers by hand, if possible, but a washing machine is acceptable every once in a while. Avoid using the washing machine too often, as it risks damaging your shoes with repeated washes.
2
Wash your sneakers on a delicate cycle along with old white fabrics. Old white towels, blankets, or clothing will provide a soft buffer to help your shoes avoid scuffs or damage. Add about a capful of gentle detergent, and run a delicate cycle.^{[8]
X
Research source}
3
Place your sneakers in a well-ventilated area for 24 hours to dry. Your Air Force Ones will be damp at the end of the wash cycle. Take the socks out and set your sneakers down on a clean cloth near an open window or fan, or leave them outside in a shady area.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you leave your shoes in a humid environment they may get moldy as they dry.
- Never put your shoes in a dryer. The heat will damage the leather and cause your shoes to shrink.
- The sun will heat your shoes up and cause the leather to shrink as it dries. If you leave them outside, keep them under a canopy or overhang to keep them out of the sun.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Stains and Odors

1
Remove tough stains with a toothbrush, white toothpaste, and water. Squirt a dollop of your toothpaste on the stain. Rub the toothpaste into the fabric of your shoes with the pad of your index finger. Then, wet a clean toothbrush and use it to scrub the stain until the stain is completely gone. Wipe the toothpaste off with a paper towel and rinse off the leather using a damp cloth or towel.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Any white toothpaste with baking soda in it will work for this. Avoid gel toothpaste, as it may leave a layer of residue on your shoes.
2
Remove scuff marks with a Magic Eraser and water. A Magic Eraser is a sponge made of melamine foam. Dip your Magic Eraser in a little bit of water and rub the scuff mark or dirt to remove it. If the shoe is stained, add a squirt of dish soap to the water and rub the mark, stain, or dirt again to remove it.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- You can pick up a Magic Eraser at any big box or cleaning supply store. They’re often marketed as a way to remove marks from drywall.
3
Soak your laces in bleach and detergent to restore their white color. If your shoelaces are still really dirty after washing them, fill a glass bowl with 3 US tbsp (44 mL) of bleach and 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water. Mix the solution together with a mixing stick or spoon and submerge your laces. Let them soak for at least 1 hour before removing them, rinsing them, and letting them air dry.^{[12]
X
Research source}
4
Sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes to deodorize them. Fill an old sock with about 4 tsp (20 g) of baking soda, and seal the sock by tying a rubber band around its opening. Then, leave the sock inside your shoe overnight to soak up odors. Repeat this step for the other shoe.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Alternatively, leave your shoes in an airtight container overnight, along with an open dish of baking soda.
5
Use lighter fluid to remove paint or gum from the rubber sole. Use a toothpick to scrape off any large chunks of paint or gum. Then, put on a pair of rubber gloves and grab a clean towel. Pour 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of lighter fluid onto the towel and scrub the remaining gum or paint with your lighter fluid. Once the gum or paint is gone, rinse the rubber under a steady stream of cold water and let your shoes air dry.^{[14]
X
Research source}

Warning: If your Air Force Ones aren’t all white and you have any color on the trim of the rubber sole, the lighter fluid will wear the paint away. Only do this if your shoes are completely white.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can I put Air Force Ones in the dryer?

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.

Rio Jongsae Kim

Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

Expert Answer

I wouldn't. Just leave them out in a well-ventilated area and let them air dry. That's going to be the safest way to get them dry.
Question

What can I do if the shoes are really dirty?

Rio Jongsae Kim
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.

Rio Jongsae Kim

Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Remove any large chunks of dirt or mud manually. Then, use a mixture of mild laundry detergent and water to get the shoes and shoelaces clean. Wash them in warm water to remove the soapy dirt and dry them with a soft towel.
Question

How do I clean the stitching on the shoes without a bleach pen?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Try using a bit of white toothpaste and a damp toothbrush to scrub the stitching.