Clean Your White Sneakers So They Look Brand-New With These 7 Easy Steps

CNET

14-06-2025

I'm known for being quite a sneakerhead and for wearing a colorful array of Adidas Gazelles and Nike Air Force 1 shoes. But that doesn't mean I don't also appreciate my trusty white sneakers. In fact, I wear my all-white Pumas almost every day.
Why? Well, they're comfortable and supportive and they work with just about any outfit, making them my go-to travel shoes. In the past year alone, I've taken my white sneakers to bustling London, rainy Scotland, chilly San Francisco, peaceful Savannah, Georgia, and eight states in the southeast of the US. Although my shoes have gotten me around the world comfortably, my once pristine white kicks are now a gross dishwater gray.
Although I'm one of those people who will wear sneakers until they're literally falling apart, sporting dirty white sneakers isn't always the bold fashion statement I want to make. Instead of throwing my shoes away and buying another $60 pair, I can clean them for much less so they look as close to brand new as possible.
I can't permanently remove crease lines, but I can get rid of dirt, scuffs and other signs of wear and tear. Here are the steps I use to clean dirty white shoes and make them look new again.
Read more: Here's How to Clean Your Dirty Running Shoes Without Ruining Them
What you need to clean your white shoes
You need very few materials to get your white shoes back in tip-top shape. These items are probably all lying around your home:
Water
Bleach
Three bowls
Toothpaste (optional)
Clean cloth or sponge
White vinegar or baking soda
Mild detergent or shoe cleaner
Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
Magic Eraser or a similar cleaning sponge
How to clean your white shoes
You can use several methods. Following these steps should help to refresh your white shoes and make them look new again.
Step 1: Remove accessories and bleach laces
Start by removing shoelaces and any inserts from the shoes. Set shoes aside because you'll start with bleaching laces.
To prepare the solution, mix 1/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water in a large bowl. I recommend you use oxygen-based bleach, which is safe for white and colored laces. Place the laces in the bowl with the mixture and let sit for up to an hour. You can finish the following steps in the meantime.
Step 2: Remove loose particles
Back to the shoes. Use a dry soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to gently brush off any loose dirt or debris from the sides and bottom of the shoes. I recommend doing this step over a trash can for easy cleanup.
Step 3: Spot clean exterior
For tough stains, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water or baking soda and water in the other bowl. Either mixture works just as well and which one you pick really depends on what you have more readily available. Apply this solution to the outside of the shoes and gently scrub with a clean brush or cloth.
Step 4: Wash the shoes
Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water in another bowl. You could also use a store-bought shoe cleaner for this step. Dip a clean cloth or sponge in the solution and gently scrub the entire shoe surface, working from the top to the sides, then the bottom.
Bonus tip for fabric shoes: If the shoes are still discolored, you can try using toothpaste on the fabric parts. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the stains, scrub gently with a brush and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Step 5: Rinse and dry
Use a clean, soft cloth to remove any mixture residue. Let the shoes air dry, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. While they dry, remove the laces from the bleach solution. Rinse the laces in cold water, then wash them by hand or in the washing machine.
Step 6: Brighten the soles
For rubber soles, you can use a Magic Eraser to brighten them up and remove any remaining scuffs.
Step 7: Replace accessories
Once the shoes and laces are completely dry, reinsert the clean shoelaces and any other accessories removed from the shoes. Voila. Now your shoes look new (or at least as close to new as possible).
How often you should clean your white shoes
The frequency with which you clean your shoes will depend on how often you wear them and the conditions in which they are worn, but here are some general guidelines to follow:
Always wipe down your white shoes with a water-dampened cloth after wearing them in the rain or as soon as you notice any discoloration marks.
Store your shoes inside in a dry place to prevent discoloration or molding.
Do a light cleaning every two weeks or so.
Deep clean every six weeks or so.
All of these tips will ensure that stains don't set in over time, which can make cleaning them more difficult, and keep your shoes wearable for longer.
Can you clean white shoes in a washing machine?
Hand-washing shoes is usually the best practice but some white sneakers and shoes are safe in the washing machine. To check, find the care label usually located on the underside of the tongue. It should tell you if you can machine-wash or not.
Shoes made of leather, suede, rubber and vinyl should never be put in the washing machine. Cotton, nylon and polyester shoes are normally safe in the machine, but if you're unsure, definitely err on the side of caution and hand-wash.
For more cleaning tips, explore our guides on the best way to clean a yoga mat and how to clean your workout clothes.