With These Expert-Approved Cleaning Tips, Your White Sneakers Will Look Like New

It’s almost impossible to keep your white shoes clean 24/7. No matter how bright and spotless they are when you first buy them, wear, stains, and spills will accumulate over time. Before you know it, your favorite pair of Converse or Vans are no longer in pristine condition.But instead of throwing away your sneakers forever, try the simple guide below How to clean white shoes. We share expert advice for refreshing your espadrilles, suede and leather shoes, as well as tips for preventing dirt and grime from building up.

When it’s time to clean your shoes, your first thought may be to throw them in the washing machine. However, Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab, recommends cleaning them by hand with a cloth or soft brush. This is a gentle process compared to a washing machine’s powerful cycle. Also, it is a better solution for leather sneakers, loafers and slippers.

With the easy steps below, we’ve also shared the best products you need to clean your shoes, including the Dawn, Clorox, and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. While Forté can’t tell you exactly when you need to clean your shoes, she advises that you pay attention: “The dirtier your shoes, the harder it is to clean.” Depending on how you wear them, she recommends “about once a month, once you see noticeable spots and stains.” Remove immediately to keep shoes cleaner for longer.”

So, no matter the material, follow the step-by-step instructions below to bring your white shoes back to life. As another precaution, consider using these shoe organizers to store your shoes for long-term wear.

Dawn Ultra Dish Soap Dishwashing Liquid

Furniture Clinic Leather Protection Cream

Multipurpose Soft Nylon Brush

How to Clean White Canvas Sneakers

To restore white canvas sneakers like Vans or Converse to bright white, follow these steps:

1. Untie and remove the laces.
2. Use a soft brush to remove loose dirt, including along the edges of the rubber and on the tongue.
3. Mix a few drops of dish soap, such as Dawn, into a glass of warm water.
4. Dip a cloth or soft brush in soapy water and gently wipe both shoes.
5. Clean rubber soles and sides with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
6. Dampen another cloth with clean water, then wipe the shoe and rinse.
7. Tuck sneakers with white paper towels to absorb moisture and maintain shape.
8. Let the shoes dry at room temperature.

how Clean white canvas shoes with bleach

“Bleach or a bleach solution can be used on white canvas sneakers, but I wouldn’t use it on leather or rubber trim because it might yellow them,” says Ford. Clorox has shared step-by-step instructions on how to wash shoes with bleach, so you can easily follow these steps:

1. Remove the laces and use a long brush to remove loose dirt and mud from the shoes.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon of Clorox Disinfectant Bleach with 1 quart of water in a measuring cup.
3. Dip the brush into the solution and gently scrub the shoe in circular motions.
4. Wait a minute, then spray the treated area with hydrogen peroxide.
5. Rinse the shoes with water.
6. If the stain remains, repeat the process.
7. Let the shoes dry overnight.

For stubborn stains on white espadrilles: Dip a brush in hydrogen peroxide and scrub. Wipe with a clean damp cloth and allow to air dry.

How to Clean White Leather Sneakers



For leather shoes (such as white Adidas or Nike sneakers), follow a similar approach:

1. Untie and remove the laces.
2. Use a soft brush to brush away loose dust and grime.
3. Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid, such as Dawn, into a glass of warm water.
4. Dip a cloth or soft brush in soapy water and gently wipe the entire shoe.
5. Clean rubber soles and sides with the GH Seal Star Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
6. Wet the cloth with water and wipe the shoe to rinse.
7. Tuck sneakers with white paper towels to absorb moisture and maintain shape.
8. After drying at room temperature, apply a leather conditioner, such as Furniture Clinic Leather Protector Cream, to help keep your shoes supple.

For stubborn stains on white leather shoes: Dip a damp brush in the baking soda and dab it. Wipe with a clean damp cloth and allow to air dry.

How to Clean White Suede Shoes



According to Forté, “White suede should only be cleaned with a suede cleaner.” She recommends the KIWI Suede and Nubuck Cleaner. “I wouldn’t risk any home methods, and the suede shouldn’t be too wet,” she says. But if you’re concerned about a stain on your suede shoes that’s been on for too long, Nike recommends using white vinegar or mixing alcohol with water. The entire shoe should not be soaked, but slightly damp.

notes: Washing the entire shoe with water may cause the stain to settle into the fabric.

How to Clean White Shoelaces

So what to do with those dirty shoelaces? Give them a quick wash with dish soap before threading them back on:

1. Untie and remove the laces from the shoes.
2. Soak them in warm soapy water.
3. Rinse the laces with clean water.
4. Squeeze out excess water.
5. Lay flat to dry.

How to keep your white shoes clean



To keep your shoes shiny, protect them from the elements and remove spots as soon as they appear:



Contributing Writer

Caroline is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she was in ” good housekeeping, including as a health editor covering nutrition, fitness, wellness and other lifestyle news. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism, she dreams of the day Northwest will return to the Rose Bowl.



assistant editor

Mariah Thomas (she/she) is the good housekeeping, where she covers family and lifestyle content. Mariah has over four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, women’s health and avocado magazine. She earned a master’s degree in journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Spirit: Poetry of Thought and Feeling, 2019. She is also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.