How To Clean White Shoes

You step by step guide on the best way to clean white sneakers

As we all know washing white shoes can be a tricky task! We brought ourselves a brand new pair of trainers, we’ve worn them for a week and oh no they’ve picked up that pesky day to day dirt! We wish we could tell you there was a magic wand that could clean white trainers easily but unfortunately it will take a little bit of elbow grease and a small bit of detergent! Don’t worry though we have written a step by step guide on the best way to clean white shoes!

What you will need for cleaning white shoes:

Okay so the for the best way to clean shoes you will need the following items:

• 3 Medium/Large Bowls
• Laundry Detergent
• Teaspoon
• 2 Microfibre Cloths
• 2 Soft Cloths/Rags
• 1 Soft Bristle Brush - Either a toothbrush or a larger soft bristle brush
• Paper Towels (optional)
• Disinfectant Wipes (optional)

1) Brush away all that excess dirt!

• Getting yourself a soft bristle brush is key for this process. Now this could either come in the form of a soft bristle brush and pan brush or a soft bristle toothbrush!
• It is important to clean away this excess dirt while they are dry! Do it while they are wet and you are adding 10 times the amount of work! 
• It is definitely recommended that you remove the shoelaces from your white trainers before starting this process! This way you can give the laces a good clean separately so that when your shoes look super clean so do your laces!
• After you remove the laces brush away the dirt from the top of your trainers using a soft pressured circular motion and your soft bristle brush! This is important especially if your shoes are not leather! You can damage the PU Leather that is making up your trainer and this could cause flakes of material to come off! So soft and steady wins the race! 
• After you have brushed away all the excess dirt, stuff your shoes with a microfibre cloth! This will protect the insoles from getting wet when you move onto the next step! We love these ones from Dealz!

2) Making your cleaning solution

• It is important to stay away from the bleach when you are cleaning white shoes! Why? Bleach is a very hard chemical and it can damage the outer material of your shoe!
• Using a detergent is much better for this sort of task! Any laundry detergent will do as long as it does not contain bleach! You should mix 1 teaspoon into a large bowl of warm water!
• The consistency should be of a soapy consistency and it shouldn’t be frothy or sticky!
• In a separate bowl you can also add 1 teaspoon to warm water and then let your shoelaces soak in this mixture until you are finished! 

3) Cleaning White Trainers 

Paco Women's Quilted Trainers

• The time has come to start cleaning your white trainers! 
• Using a soft cloth apply your cleaning solution to your shoes using circular motion and a light pressure! 
• If there are any difficult stains that your cloth cannot remove it is ok to start using your soft bristle brush. Dip your brush into the cleaning solution and using a soft pressured circular motion start cleaning those hard to get stains from your shoes! 
• It is important to rinse your soft cloth & brush every so often so as not to spread the dirt across your shoe! We recommend having your third bowl full of clean warm water close by for this process! The dirtier your shoe is the more often you are going to have to rinse your cloth/brush and then re-submerge it into your cleaning solution! 
• Rinse & Repeat is key in this process both for your soft cloth and your soft bristle brush!
• If your laces are particularly dirty and need a bit of  scrub then you can also run your soft bristle brush in a downwards movement down your laces to remove any excess dirt!

4) Remove The Cleaning Solution

Snake Trainer | Paco

• Now you have completed the best way to clean your white sneakers it is time to clean off that solution!
• You will need your other clean cloth for this process!
• Using clean warm water, dunk and squeeze out any excess water from your new cloth.
• The new clean cloth should be damp and not dripping any water! Wipe away any excess cleaning solution which is left on your trainers!
• It is important to never submerge your shoes directly into the water. They can soak up the water excessively and they may lose their shape! You don’t want all your efforts wasted! 
• If your midsoles and soles of your shoes need more of a deep clean then it is ok to use a disinfectant wipe on this part. Due to the thick rubber you will not damage the midsole or sole by using a disinfectant wipe! Just be careful not to get it on the upper part of your shoe!
• Let your laces soak in some clean warm water after their bath in the cleaning solution!

5) Drying Your Trainers

Classic Trainer | Paco

• Allow both your shoes to air dry. 
• Keep your microfibre cloth inside your shoe to keep the shoe, keep its shape in the drying process and prevent any dampness seeping through!
• You can also stuff your white trainer with paper towels if you would prefer. 
• Let your laces air dry also
• This normally takes about 24 hours

Hey presto! There you have it, your step by step guide on the best way to clean white trainers and get them looking super clean! Once your shoes have air dried lace them back up and you are god to go! If your shoes are too far gone then not to worry Paco have a great selection of affordable everyday white trainers who can’t wait to be your new best friend!