White shoes are the most versatile piece of clothing you can have in your wardrobe. They’ll look good on any outfit, and you can wear them in all seasons. However, the color comes with its share of downsides.

After a couple of times wearing it, you’ll be welcomed with dirty soles, dusty ties, and beige-colored shadow on the material. If you don’t clean it regularly, the wear and tear will eventually get to it, and it’ll be unfixable. We’ll show you three methods to clean leather, canvas, and mesh fabric shoes.

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To clean your white leather shoes, you’ll need a toothbrush, some liquid dish soap, a soft cloth, and an eraser sponge. You may also need some paper towels. Here are detailed steps for the cleaning process.

The first thing you’ll do is clean the shoe’s leather from any dirt on it. To do so, mix some warm water with a few drops of liquid dish soap. Then, grab an old toothbrush and dip its bristles in the soapy water, making sure to get it fully submerged.

Next, scrub the shoes gently with the brush in a round motion, getting all the dirt out. After you’re done, avoid pouring water right onto the leather as most people do. Instead, wipe the material using a soft, dry cloth to get the dirt out. You can wipe once again using paper towels to make sure there’s no dampness left on the material.

After you’re done cleaning the shoes’ material, it’s time to clean the rubber soles. These have the most contact with the ground, so they need a thorough cleaning to get them white again. 

To clean them, you’ll need an eraser sponge.

Just wet it lightly and wipe away the soles. Remove all stains and dirt scuffs, then use a damp cloth to wipe the soapy material off. Afterward, you can wipe it once more with a dry paper towel.

Leave your shoes to dry for as much as they need before wearing them. Otherwise, they may develop an unpleasant scent. If they’re wet on the inside, stuff them with some paper towels to absorb the moisture.

How to Clean White Leather Shoes

We all have a pair of Converse somewhere in our wardrobe. These are challenging to clean because the canvas material gets wet and needs more time to dry than leather. 

To clean the shoes, you’ll need the following: 

Firstly, untie the shoelaces and put them aside so that you can clean the loose dirt without any obstacles. Then, go to the balcony or outside and hit the two shoes’ bottoms together, so the dust comes off. Then, grab an old toothbrush and scrub lightly to remove any remaining dirt. Have a go at the tongue and the rubber soles as well.

To clean the shoes, mix some baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl together. Blend them with a spoon so that they form a paste. Then, dip your toothbrush in the bowl and start applying the paste on the shoes with a scrubbing motion.

Move the brush in a round motion, and you’ll notice the stains coming out. Leave the paste to dry on the canvas. When it’s hard enough to clean, brush it off and wipe the reminders with your cloth.

If you have stubborn stains on your shoes, such as coffee or blood, you can use a bleach pen on the affected spots. Leave it for around five minutes, then wash it off.

To clean the soles, wet an eraser sponge and wipe the dirt streaks gently so they come out. Make sure to scrub all sides, then wipe off the soapy material using a damp cloth. Afterward, leave the shoes to dry.

How to Clean White Canvas Shoes

Do you have a Nike pair in your wardrobe that’s too far gone to clean? 

Mesh can be hard to clean. You’re basically pouring water through a spongey, perforated material, so there isn’t much cleaning happening. However, these steps are tried and guaranteed. 

Before cleaning the shoes, you’ll need to remove any dirt from the mesh fabric first. Bear in mind that mesh is one of the most delicate fabrics. It needs extra care handling it. Pick a toothbrush with soft bristles for the mission, and gently brush away at the loose dirt on the material.

When there’s no more loose dirt on the mesh, mix some liquid detergent with warm water in a small bowl. Then, use a soft cloth to apply the mixture to the shoes, moving in a circular motion. As you’re working, rinse the cloth to get any dirt off instead of spreading it across the mesh.

If you have stains that are hard to come off, like grass stains, you can use a bleach pen and clean the shoes afterward.

After you’re done getting the stains out, it’s time to rinse the mesh. Try not to submerge the shoes in water so their interiors stay intact. Instead, wipe the soapy mixture off using a damp cloth. Then, use paper towels to wipe once again to make sure the mesh is dry.

How to Clean Mesh Fabric Shoes

Wearing dirty white shoes isn’t exactly appealing, and it’ll likely ruin the look of your outfit. Whether your shoes are made of leather, mesh, or canvas, cleaning them will need less than half an hour. Then, you need a couple of hours for the material to dry, and you can wear your shoes again.

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How to Clean White Shoes to Make Them New Again

How to Clean White Leather Shoes

How to Clean White Canvas Shoes

How to Clean Mesh Fabric Shoes

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