How To Clean White Shoes

We’ve all had this problem: you’ve done everything short of walking around with plastic bags on your shoes to protect them from stains but in some cruel twist of fate…they’ve turned yellow! How could this have happened?

1. Build-up of sweat and dirt: of course, once you’ve found the perfect pair of shoes, you’ll wear them to death. That’s why it is so important to clean them regularly - and properly! More on that below.

2. Sun exposure: don’t leave your white shoes lying in the sun - even when drying them after cleaning. While it may be tempting to speed up the drying process or combat odour by leaving your shoes on the balcony, sun exposure can cause fabrics to oxidise and turn yellow. And yes, that means popping those funky white sandals into your bag or under your towel while you’re sipping a margarita and relaxing poolside, you’ll thank us later.

3. Using the wrong cleaning products: clothing or dish detergent can damage certain fabrics. And always use bleach with caution - a solution that is too strong can cause discolouration.

4. Ignoring the soles during cleaning: the soles of your shoe will often be the dirtiest part of all but are often overlooked during the cleaning process because they might not be visible during wear. However, think about how many times you cross your feet and rub your shoes against each other – this can cause dirt particles to attach to other parts of the shoe. So don’t forget to give your sole a good scrub!

Be it stains, scuffs or yellowing, follow these cleaning steps to have your shoes looking fresh and ready to wear.

Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt

Firstly, you’re going to want to remove any loose dirt, so you don’t work it into the fabric once you get scrubbing. Take your shoes outside and clap them together to remove dirt from the sole. Then, take a dry toothbrush and fluffy cloth to gently brush off excess grime. If you’re cleaning sneakers, you’ll also want to remove the laces at this point and wash them separately.

Step 2: Go to Town on Those Stains!

Your choice of product will depend on what kind of fabric you are cleaning. With any product, make sure to do a patch test in an inconspicuous area to avoid damaging fabric and making the problem worse. Here is a list of our all-time faves:  

How To Clean Fabric and Canvas Shoes

A miracle sneaker shampoo with an inbuilt scrub brush makes cleaning all too easy. Apply to the entire shoe and remove with a damp cloth and voila! Remember, you can use this on any canvas or fabric shoe - not just sneakers.

How to Clean Leather Shoes

Sprucing up your leather is a breeze with this conditioner. The big bonus is that you can use it on all things leather including clothing, bags – even your couch! Apply with a white cloth and let dry, then buff to a shine.

How Clean PU Leather Shoes

Polyurethane (PU) leather is an artificial, 100% vegan fabric that gives that gorgeous leather look without the price tag! Plus, cleaning is a little bit easier because you don’t need to use a speciality leather conditioner. These dual-textured wipes are conveniently packaged and perfect for getting your PU shoes like new.

How to Clean Soles

For best results, get yourself a Sole Fluid like this one. Soak sole with the fluid and scrub with a soft brush before removing with a damp cloth.

Step 3: Focus on the Non-Porous Areas Like Rubber Soles

And of course, we can’t forget the soles! A crisp and clean sole can transform your white shoes and make them look like they are straight out of the box!