White shoes are an ageless classic. Despite its rudeness and impracticality, it’s hard not to like it. White shoes and sandals add freshness and chic to the look, while sneakers add dynamism.
But it is worth at least one speck to break the crystal whiteness, and that’s all – it’s already a shame to go out on the street. Then the owner has to think about how to clean the white shoes. Often aggressive methods are used, after which the product has to be thrown in the trash. To prevent this from happening for you, read our useful tips.
Arsenal of cleaning products
It depends on the degree of contamination and the type of white shoes. For example, the minimum set for running shoes will be as follows::
- Soft cloth (rag). It can be used to gently remove debris and dust.
- Household sponge. It is convenient to wipe your shoes with the soft side after wet cleaning, and remove stubborn stains with the hard side.
- An old toothbrush. You can’t do without it if you are going to clean the white sole or white seams on your sneakers or sneakers.
- Eraser. The usual white one, like “Elephant”. Well rubs off small spots and black stripes on the sole, helps to restore the external gloss.
- Shoe brush. Suitable for the one that polishes shoes made of smooth leather. This brush does not have a very hard pile, so it will not scratch the surface.
A very effective thing is a melamine sponge. In fact, it is a foamed material with abrasive properties. To clean white leather shoes at home, you need to break off a small piece of melamine sponge, slightly moisten it in water and walk along the surface like an eraser. Remove the remaining particles on the surface with a cloth.
Attention! Melamine is a slightly toxic substance, so it is advisable to use a melamine sponge with gloves. Do not give it to small children.
How and how to clean white shoes at home
White shoes are capricious, so always start cleaning with milder products and methods. Ideally, they came from the street and immediately wiped the pair with a damp cloth. However, if you lead an active lifestyle and walk off-road, you will have to make more effort.
Method 1. Soap solution
Dilute the washing powder, laundry soap, or dish detergent in a basin of warm water so that a rich foam forms. You can add a little bleach without chlorine.
Remove the insoles and laces from your shoes – they should be washed separately. Moisten a sponge in the solution and run the hard side over the surface of the steam. If the product has a molded sole, then it can be fully “bathed” in a basin of water. Remove any remaining foam with a wet cloth.
Method 2. Baking Soda
This old grandmother’s method helps to whiten both leather and sports shoes. Mix 2 tablespoons each. tablespoons of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water. Rub the resulting gruel over the problem areas, leave for 10-15 minutes.
It is not necessary to wash off the soda. Just let the white shoe dry and then tap it on the floor to make the powder fall off.
Method 3: Lemon juice
Lemon juice is an excellent natural bleach. At the same time, it is quite aggressive, so before using it, check the product on an inconspicuous area of the shoe.
For cleaning dirt 2 table. spoons of lemon juice should be diluted in the same amount of warm water. Then moisten a sponge and clean your shoes. In the end, wash off the product thoroughly.
Method 4. Toothpaste
The best method for cleaning yellow soles on sneakers or running shoes. Use the most ordinary paste – without colored inclusions and strong flavors. The product is applied to the surface with an old toothbrush and washed off with water. Instead of paste, you can use tooth powder diluted with water to a pulp.
Method 5. Professional tools
Last on this list, but not last in terms of efficiency. Just the opposite. Professional shoe cleaning products have a lot of advantages:
- safe for all materials;
- easy to use;
- they act quickly;
- some of them not only remove dirt on white shoes, but also provide complete care: they nourish the skin, refresh the color, and eliminate unpleasant odors.
Professional products are available in the form of aerosols, creams, and solutions. If you want a white pair to last 2 years or longer, then buying such products will be justified.
Attention! We do not recommend cleaning white shoes with gasoline, nail polish remover, or vinegar, as some sources say. Such products are too aggressive, especially for the skin. Using them, you risk deforming the product, damaging the paint, and encountering other problems.
Can I wash white shoes in the car
To the question of whether it is possible to wash shoes in the car, almost every manufacturer will answer: “It is impossible” or “Not recommended”. And it’s hard not to agree with this. If you paid a decent price for the product, don’t take any chances. In the automatic machine, the shoe glue becomes viscous, and the product itself is subjected to strong blows against the walls of the drum. Details (especially the sole) may come off, crack, or shrink. Even if the shoes don’t go bad right away, their service life will be shortened.
The exception is products that do not weigh much. For example, summer textile sneakers with EVA soles. Although even when they are washed in the car, the risks remain.
How to properly dry white shoes after washing
There is only one correct way to dry your white shoes. Fill it with newspapers or other paper and leave it in a well-ventilated area.
You can not dry white leather shoes in the sun, as this turns them yellow. You can’t go near the battery either – the material may become cracked or deformed.
Now you know how to restore the dazzling whiteness of your shoes. Agree, it is not so difficult to find 15 minutes of free time during the week. The result is worth it because in white shoes you will always look stylish, stand out from others, and feel confident.
