How to Clean and Maintain White Sneakers

Introduction
Nothing beats the crisp, clean look of a brand-new pair of white shoes. But dirt and stains can quickly dull their shine. The good news? With a few simple steps, you can bring back that fresh out-of-the-box glow. On this page, we’ll walk you through two easy methods to clean your white shoes—pick the one that works best for you.
Washing Your White Sneakers With ToothPaste
Many blogs suggest using a bleach and water mixture to clean white shoes, and while it gets the job done, let’s be honest—the strong smell is far from pleasant. Luckily, there’s a simpler, fresher alternative: toothpaste and a Magic Eraser. Yes, the same toothpaste you use every day can work wonders on your kicks! It’s an easy, odor-free solution that’s probably already sitting in your bathroom.
Materials
- Whitening toothpaste
- Magic eraser (optional)
- Soft Bristle Brush
- Dish Soap
- Hot Water
- Bowl
- Laudrey Detgent
- Microfiber towel
Step by Step Guide
- When cleaning any pair of sneakers—white or otherwise—always start by removing the laces. This simple step ensures you can thoroughly clean every part of the shoe
- If your sneakers have removable insoles, take those out too! Insoles tend to trap the most odor and grime, so cleaning them separately ensures a deeper, more thorough clean.
- In a bowl, mix a bit of dish soap, laundry detergent, and warm water. Stir until it’s slightly bubbly.
- Toss your laces into the soapy water and scrub them by hand until they’re clean. Squeeze out the excess water and set them aside to air dry.
- Next, grab your brush and use the leftover cleaning solution to scrub the insoles until they’re fresh and spotless. Once done, rinse off the insoles to remove any soap residue, then let them air dry completely.
- Grab a soft-bristle brush and apply a small amount of white toothpaste to it. Gently scrub the white areas of your shoes in circular motions, focusing on any stained or dirty spots.
- Next, grab a microfiber cloth, dampen it with water, and gently wipe away the toothpaste from the areas you scrubbed.
- Now, take your Magic Eraser, dampen it with water, and gently scrub the soles of your shoes. Focus on removing scuffs and dirt, but avoid using it on the upper part of the shoe, as it could damage the material.
- Let your shoes air dry completely, and once they’re ready, step out and enjoy your freshly cleaned, bright white kicks looking as good as new!
Cleaning shoes with Baking Soda
For our next method, we’ll use a powerful yet simple cleaning solution made with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide—a true hidden gem for restoring white sneakers! Below, we’ll show you how to whip up the solution and walk you through the step-by-step process to bring your kicks back to life. Get ready to see the magic happen!

Materials
- Cup
- hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Spoon
- Water
- ToothBrush
Step by Step Guide
- Grab a cup and mix ½ teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with ½ teaspoon of water using a spoon. Next, add about 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly with your toothbrush until it forms a smooth, paste-like consistency. This powerful cleaning solution is now ready to work its magic on your sneakers!
- Take out your laces to keep them out of the way and ensure you can clean every part of your shoes without any hassle.
- Next, use the toothbrush to gently apply the solution all over your sneakers, working it into the fabric with small circular motions. While you’re at it, don’t forget to clean your laces give them a good scrub with the same solution to bring back their brightness.
- Let the solution sit on your sneakers for about an hour—this gives it time to work its magic
- Now, take both sneakers and gently bang them together. You’ll notice small flakes falling off don’t worry, it’s just the dried solution do this until most of the solution is off. Remove residue from laces as well.
- Rinse your sneakers and laces under warm water to wash away any remaining solution.
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For the final step, let your sneakers and laces air dry. Be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight, as drying white shoes in the sun can sometimes cause discoloration or yellowing.
And there you have it—once your sneakers are completely dry, you’re left with a fresh, clean pair of white kicks ready to hit the streets in style!
Can I use these methods on any material?
Avoid using this method on leather or suede shoes, as these materials require more delicate care. For the best results, check out our dedicated guide on how to clean and maintain leather and suede shoes properly!
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