How to clean any kind of white sneaker

White sneakers are a wardrobe staple and most of us have owned at least one pair in our lifetime. As slick as they look new, they can be less desirable to wear when they get dirty. We all want shiny white shoes and there are several ways you can clean them! Here are a couple.

Things to have on hand if you own white shoes:

• hydrogen peroxide
• dawn dish soap
• baking soda
• white vinegar
• a clean toothbrush
• a stiff-bristled brush
• leather protectant
• lemon juice, a fresh lemon is great, but the stuff in the bottle works too
• Mr. Clean magic eraser - as a last resort 

White leather shoes

White leather shoes are relatively simple to clean! Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap usually do the trick, but for the most stubborn scuffs and stains a magic eraser can work wonders (we always try everything else first, magic erasers aren't the most environmentally friendly). Be mindful to never use bleach on leather shoes, it will degrade the leather and they will wear out far more quickly. 

How to:

1. Remove shoelaces, set aside.
2. If your shoes are muddy, make sure the dirt is completely dry, then use a stiff-bristled brush to remove large particles.
3. Add enough baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to a bowl to make a paste.
4. Using a spoon, apply this paste to any parts of your shoes that are canvas or fabric (like the tongue), allow the paste to dry completely before brushing off with a clean toothbrush.
5. While the paste dries, add approximately one teaspoon of dawn dish soap and hot tap water to the remaining paste. Add the shoelaces to this mixture and stir thoroughly. Set the laces aside and let them soak for a few hours. After they have soaked, rinse them well and leave to dry. 
6. Using a clean toothbrush and dish soap scrub the leather surface and the soles of your shoes. Rinse thoroughly.
7. As a last resort, if stubborn scuffs and stains have not come off, a Mr. Clean magic eraser will completely remove them.
8. Replace the laces and you are good to go!

White canvas shoes

Although a bit more tricky to clean than white leather shoes, you can still get a pair of canvas shoes bright white again!

How to:

1. Remove shoelaces, set aside.
2. If your shoes are muddy, make sure the dirt is completely dry, then use a stiff-bristled brush to remove large particles.
3. Make a paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice.
4. Using a spoon, apply this paste to all fabric. If the weather allows, set the shoes in the sun to allow the paste to dry completely.
5. While the paste dries, use the same steps as those for leather shoes to clean your laces. 
6. Use a stiff-bristles brush to remove the paste.
7. Replace the laces and you are good to go!

** If your shoes have stains remaining, you can put most sneakers in the wash with a tablespoon of bleach... as a last resort. Using bleach is still a better option than throwing away your shoes.

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Love you to bits, 

Sam

Owner, curator and creator @purpleastervintage