Slip-on or lace-up, it doesn't matter - white sneakers somehow look great with every outfit we pair them with. We've paired our favorite slick, simple options with baggy mom jeans, sequined formal wear, summer dresses and oversized winter sweatshirts. But something that can quickly ruin even our best white sneaker outfits? Dirt. Or mud. Or any other type of stain, like oil or food. That's why we're always looking for tips on how to clean our white sneakers so we can make sure our go-to shoes stay nice and pristine.
Thankfully, there is no shortage of ways to clean white sneakers and bring them back to their original color. Whether you're ready to mix ingredients in your pantry or are looking for a quick and easy solution, experts are offering helpful tips on how to keep these babies in tip-top shape.
What is the best method for cleaning white sneakers?
Tide senior scientist Jennifer Ahoney says to always read the label on sneakers before cleaning them.
"While it's recommended not to put some sneakers in the washing machine, many sneakers made of canvas and cotton are machine washable." She then shares a super helpful, step-by-step process that will ensure your white sneakers get a thorough cleaning.
- First, use a dry, soft-bristled brush to remove excess dirt and mud from your sneakers.
- Then, make a solution of Tide Ultra OXI laundry detergent with deodorant and warm water. Use a brush to scrub and clean dirt from the bottom of the sneaker.
- Remove the laces and place the sneakers in a mesh garment bag.
- Place the laces in a separate garment bag to prevent them from getting tangled and wash them separately. For white laces, use the warmest temperature as recommended by the care label.
- Remove insoles and wash separately or hand wash according to care label instructions.
- Wash sneakers in cold water in a delicate/gentle manner, using Tide Super Oxygenate PODS® with deodorant.
- Make sure to air dry. This may take more than a day, but you want to make sure the sneakers are completely dry before wearing them again.
Can you put white sneakers in the washing machine?
Once again, Ahoney tells us that it all comes down to what the care label says. If you don't want to put your white sneakers in the washing machine, she says mixing detergent and water in a bowl and scrubbing the fabric with a brush will also help get them clean.
Madeleine Miller, a product specialist at The Laundress, agrees, telling InStyle that "hand washing is always the gentlest method, as well as being effective." However, she's not opposed to throwing shoes in the machine and washing them on a delicate setting. Like Ahoney, Miller recommends putting sneakers and laces in two separate mesh bags, like this one from The Laundress.
When cleaning white sneakers, are there different methods for different materials?
Yes! When cleaning suede white sneakers, Ahoney says to "use a gentle brush to clean up any stains or scuffs." For leather styles, she recommends "gently rubbing away stains with a damp cloth.
Should you use bleach when cleaning white sneakers?
Proceed with caution. Ahorne warns us that "chlorine bleach can damage certain fibers and fabrics and cause permanent staining." However, color-safe bleach, such as Tide Plus Bleach Laundry Detergent, may be a good choice because it is chlorine-free.
Miller adds that The Laundress' all-purpose bleach alternative also works as fast as regular bleach and is gentler on fabrics." She says, "It helps dissolve old and new stains and discoloration - including yellowing - leaving fabrics cleaner and noticeably whiter and brighter.
If you do want to use bleach to clean canvas white sneakers, it's best to dilute it with water. Measure a quart of water in a measuring cup, then add a tablespoon of Croux® disinfectant bleach, then stir to mix before scrubbing with a nylon brush, says Mary Gagliardi (aka "Dr. Laundry"), a cleaning expert at Croux.
"Brush one shoe at a time, dipping the brush in the bleach and water solution, then gently scrubbing the canvas in a circular motion," she says. Dip the brush again as needed and apply the bleach solution to the canvas until the entire shoe has been treated," she says. This only takes a few minutes; you can scrub the rubber outsole as you go."
After a minute, "spray all treated areas with hydrogen peroxide," then rinse completely with water before washing the second shoe.
Which products should you use to clean white sneakers?
Experts seem to agree that detergents and bleach alternatives are a good way to clean white sneakers. But Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at Professional Housekeeping, says lemon juice or white vinegar work well, too.
"Just fill a cup with one and use a toothbrush to clean your product."
Macie Kreutzer, founder and content creator of For the Love of Simple, a blog dedicated to organizing, decluttering and simplifying life, agrees, while also recommending a quick DIY combo.
"Use a medium-bristled toothbrush with a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar and a little warm water to help remove stains and scuff marks," she says.
How can you get oil off of white sneakers?
Our cleaning and stain removal sticks are designed to dissolve oil and grease stains," Miller tells us. She recommends rinsing the bar of soap with warm water before lathering it up with a brush. Then, apply the soap to the stain and pat it dry with a damp, lint-free cloth.
How can you remove yellow stains from white sneakers?
If you do use bleach to clean white sneakers, letting it sit too long or not diluting it properly can leave annoying yellow stains.
These yellow stains can be difficult to get out," Rodriguez says, "although they are not impossible to remove." If this happens, you need to soak them in a different solution to minimize the yellow color," she told us, recommending salt and hot water scrubs, cream of tartar, or laundry detergent and white vinegar.
How should you dry white sneakers?
Although it may take more than a day to dry, Ahoney tells InStyle that air-drying white sneakers is best. Miller adds that it's also pretty smart to leave them outside.
"Sunlight is also a natural fabric brightener!" she says, before adding that if drying outdoors isn't an option, "choose a well-ventilated spot, like next to an open window or fan."
When are a pair of white sneakers not salvageable?
When the sole of a pair of sneakers cracks and essentially falls apart, it may be time to buy a new pair, experts say. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the stain may be too difficult to remove completely (although that doesn't mean you need to ditch the shoes). However, Miller doesn't give up hope and suggests that there may be a cleaning method that you just haven't tried yet.
"If they're otherwise in good condition, sneakers can always be cleaned with the right solution to help them look as good as new!"
