How to clean white shoes at home: simple tips and tricks

White shoes are a timeless classic. Despite its dirtiness and impracticality, it is difficult not to love it. White shoes and sandals add freshness and chic to the look, and sneakers add dynamism. But as soon as even one speck disturbs the crystal whiteness, that’s it – it’s already a shame to go outside. Then the owner has to think about how to clean white shoes. Often aggressive methods are used, after which the product has to be thrown into the trash. To prevent this from happening to you, read our helpful tips.

In the photo: X-Plode sneakers 1268020010

How to properly clean shoes made of smooth-dyed leather

The effectiveness of the procedure depends on the method of removing contamination and the material from which the pair is made. There are many ways to cleanse fair, smooth skin. The most effective method is to wash the surface with soapy water. Procedure:

• take liquid soap (you can also use bar soap) or shampoo, mix with water in a ratio of 1:3;
• Using a sponge or soft brush, apply the solution to the skin, paying special attention to problem areas (toes, sides);
• rub away dirt;
• rinse off the soap solution with warm water;
• blot with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Soap solution is an effective means of removing dirt from leather shoes.

You can use baking soda instead of soap:

• dissolve 1 tbsp. l. baking soda in a glass of water;
• apply the product to shoes;
• let dry;
• remove the powder with a brush.

Baking soda is good at removing stains from light leather shoes.

If you have lemon in the house, it is perfect for removing dirt. Squeeze 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice, add them to a glass of warm water. Apply the mixture to the stains and gently scrub with a brush. At the end of cleaning, blot your shoes with a dry cloth.

Do not get too carried away with cleaning with baking soda and lemon juice, as yellowish spots may appear on the skin. It is better to use these methods 1-2 times a month, and the rest of the time you can clean with soapy water.

How to wash light leather shoes - video

An interesting way to clean at home is a milk-protein bath:

• take the white of one egg, add it to half a glass of milk and beat;
• Wipe your shoes with a soft cloth soaked in the mixture;
• after drying, clean off the residue with a brush;
• wipe your shoes dry.

The outstanding Soviet actor Andrei Mironov, after filming the film “Three Plus Two,” was desperately in love with his partner Natalya Fateeva, with whom, according to the actors’ friends, he washed his white shoes with milk.

Milk has long been famous for its whitening properties.

How to quickly wipe off dirt using tooth powder or toothpaste

You can tidy up light leather shoes using a proven whitening agent - tooth powder:

• mix the powder with water until the consistency of thick sour cream;
• apply the product to shoes;
• Use a toothbrush to clean away dirt;
• rinse off any remaining powder with warm water.

To clean the leather, it is better to use a soft toothbrush so as not to scratch the surface of the shoe.

As an alternative to powder, you can use toothpaste, but it should contain a minimum of dyes, that is, choose a white product.

The abrasive particles contained in teeth cleaning products can damage soft skin, so this method cannot be called a leader in daily care.

How to remove stains from natural leather with toothpaste - video

Laces and insoles

Laces and insoles require special attention. We take them out and wash them separately. You can use regular laundry soap or washing powder by hand, pre-soaking for greater effect.

Regular bleach, which is used to bleach fabric during washing, will return the original appearance to heavily soiled white laces. And you just need to wash the insoles well with powder or soap in warm water to remove dirt and unpleasant odors.

Homemade methods for cleaning patent leather

The first principle of caring for patent leather: cleansing and moisturizing are the key to beauty. After removing dirt, you need to moisturize your shoes with shoe conditioner. Light patent leather shoes can be washed using shaving foam:

• Apply foam to shoes, spread over the surface;
• let it dry completely;
• Use a damp cloth to remove any residue.

Shaving foam can restore the shine of white patent leather shoes

You can also use soap solution or white (table) vinegar:

• dilute 9% vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:10;
• apply with a cloth to shoes;
• rub dirty areas;
• remove any remaining vinegar with clean water;
• Wipe your shoes dry.

Vinegar is a strong remedy, so you shouldn’t overuse this cleaning method.

Care for white patent leather - video

Cleaning with professional products

For leather boots that are normally soiled, it is good to use shoe shampoo. The cleaning method is simple:

1. Use a piece of cotton cloth to remove dust from boots.
2. A small amount of foaming detergent is applied to the boots.
3. Use a soft brush to clean the surface.
4. Excess foam is removed with a damp cloth.
5. Boots are wiped with a dry cloth.

Instead of shoe shampoo, you can use washing powder or regular laundry soap. The cleaning method is the same - prepare a soap solution and apply it with a sponge to the contaminated areas.

Note!

When cleaning leather products, water should be used in minimal quantities. They should only be dried naturally, and under no circumstances should they be left in the sun or near electric heaters to prevent the leather from cracking.

A special conditioner for leather products works great for heavy soiling. You need to work with it carefully and use rubber gloves. The cleaning method, as in the case of shampoo, is simple:

• Pre-remove dust from shoes;
• apply the product with a piece of fabric to the entire surface of the boots;
• After a few minutes, wipe with a dry cloth.

Shaving foam is good for cleaning patent leather. You just need to apply it evenly over the entire surface of the boots and let it dry. Remove any remaining product with a damp cloth.

After cleaning and drying, apply protective white or clear shoe polish.

How to wash black marks and stripes on velor or nubuck

Shoes made of velor or nubuck look great, but require careful cleaning after every trip outside. If we talk about assistants in removing dirt, then the best option is a special brush (these are sold in shoe stores), which must be used to treat the pair daily.

Light-colored nubuck shoes require daily cleaning

To remove traces of dirt and black streaks from the surface, use the means at hand.

Methods for removing dirt from nubuck and velor shoes - table

Please note: alcohol solutions may damage shoes. Before using them, test on an inconspicuous area.

Once every 1–2 weeks you need to treat velor shoes with a soap solution:

• dilute 1-2 tbsp. l. liquid soap in ½ liter of warm water;
• soak a soft toothbrush in the solution and scrub the surface;
• Wipe your shoes with a soft cloth soaked in cool water.

To remove greasy marks from velor or nubuck, apply a piece of stale bread to the problem area, blot lightly (or just press for 2-3 minutes), and then comb the pile.

How to clean up wet nubuck boots

Bad weather causes two problems with velor shoes: pairs become wet and dirty. The plan of salvation involves action in both directions. Let the shoes dry first. Then use steam to “open” the pile and brush it with a soft toothbrush. You can steam it over a kettle or using an iron. Just keep in mind that you should not touch the hot sole of the device to your shoes.

To make removing dirt from nubuck as easy as possible, you should not try to scrub off a fresh stain. You need to wait until it dries.

How to clean white suede

Cleaning suede is an activity that requires patience. Firstly, this will have to be done often, and secondly, the process of returning whiteness is multi-stage. Proceed in order.

1. Dissolve 1 tbsp. l. baking soda in a glass of milk.
2. Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and wipe the surface of the shoe against lint.
3. Mix 1 tsp. 9% table vinegar and 1 liter of water.
4. Blot the treated surface with a cotton swab soaked in vinegar solution.
5. Dry your shoes with a dry cloth.

A regular office eraser can also be used to remove stains from suede. Only it should be white, otherwise there will be colored stains on the shoes.

To ensure that shoes made of nubuck, velor or suede do not get dirty longer, experts recommend using special care products. For example, sprays. They create a protective film on the surface that repels dirt.

A regular eraser perfectly removes dirt from the surface of suede shoes.

General care recommendations

Any shoes require proper care. And white - even more so. To make the cleaning process easier in the future and maintain whiteness for a longer period, you need to adhere to the following rules:

1. Do not wear light-colored shoes in the rain, especially if you have to walk a lot.
2. Do not overuse machine washing, as the shoes may become deformed and become unusable. Boots or puffers should never be washed in a machine, in particular this applies to cheap products, which are often poorly sealed.
3. Designate a separate storage space. A large number of stains on light-colored shoes appear after prolonged exposure to dark ones.
4. Clean the soles regularly. It is necessary to carefully remove dirt from the relief. An old toothbrush works well for this.
5. Always have a white office eraser on hand. If the slightest dirt appears, immediately wipe your shoes with it.
6. Carry wet wipes in your bag. You can buy special wipes designed for cleaning white shoes.
7. To maintain the original shape of leather products, you should store them stuffed with paper. But it is not recommended to use newspapers for these purposes, since printing ink can leave stains that will be difficult to remove.
8. After purchasing genuine leather shoes, you should immediately wax them to reduce the risk of scratches and stubborn stains. For suede, you also need to purchase a special spray that protects against moisture and dirt.
9. It is not recommended to leave white shoes for long periods of time in direct sunlight. This may cause fading and loss of whiteness.

Despite the fact that white shoes require special attention, proper storage and proper care will help extend their service life. And with regular cleaning you can update its appearance.

Removing dark marks from cloth sports shoes

For sports, we often choose white shoes. Firstly, such a pair looks very stylish, and secondly, the requirements of many sports stipulate precisely this color scheme of equipment (for example, so that dark-colored sneakers do not stain the floors in the gym).

White sneakers and sneakers look beautiful, but quickly get dirty and require increased care

Caring for cotton fabric shoes

If your sneakers or sneakers are made of cotton, then there is nothing better than a delicate wash. It can be manual or machine with the addition of liquid detergent.

If the shoes do not have stitching, then it is better to use a gentle method and not wash them completely. Limit surface treatment to:

• Wipe the pair with a brush dipped in soapy water. Don't forget to clean the insole;
• remove any remaining soap with a damp cloth;
• let the shoes dry naturally (for example, on the balcony).

When washing by machine or hand, do not use powder; its particles may remain between the fibers and damage the fabric.

Cleaning solutions for synthetic textiles

Synthetic fabrics can be washed with stain remover or non-chlorine bleach added. To wash a cloth pair of shoes by hand and remove stains, use available products.

Homemade recipes for whitening cloth shoes - table

Black stripes on a white sole are removed with an eraser or Vaseline, which perfectly binds dirt particles. Apply to the stained areas, leave for 5-7 minutes and remove with a sponge.

How to whiten sports shoes - video

Important Rules

Previously, only dudes could wear white shoes. But now the athletic-chic style has become more popular; sneakers, sneakers, sneakers, and slip-ons have become an integral part of the wardrobe, while displacing classic shoes. In addition, white soles are now found even in casual models. For example, brogues, boat shoes, loafers.

Some people believe that buying a pair of white shoes automatically makes them fashionable. But this is just one side of the coin, on the other hand, now you need to carefully monitor your shoes.

REFERENCE! When buying shoes, it is better to immediately buy special products designed to care for them.

This is due to the fact that during bleaching, white skin is additionally processed. At the same time, it becomes more elastic and soft, but also more susceptible to contamination.

How to clean eco-leather

This popular man-made material can be cleaned using any of the methods used for natural leather. But to get rid of stains from leatherette you can use:

• nail polish remover (treat problem areas with a cotton pad moistened with it, then wipe with a damp soft cloth);
• hydrogen peroxide to combat paint and blood stains (apply a cotton swab moistened with peroxide to the mark and remove the stain with gentle movements);
• lemon juice, if you need to get rid of a greasy stain or refresh the whiteness (moisten a cotton pad and wipe the surface, then blot with a dry cloth or napkin).

Cleaning products for white leatherette shoes - gallery

Using nail polish remover you can remove almost any dirt from leatherette shoes.

Hydrogen peroxide helps remove blood or paint stains

Lemon juice removes grease stains from light-colored eco-leather shoes

Of the three methods described, lemon juice can be called the most “harmless”, but you should not use nail polish remover or peroxide more than 1-2 times a month.

To maintain the shine and appearance of eco-leather shoes, use white or colorless cream. It fills the pores and prevents contaminants from penetrating into the material.

We remove heavy dirt

How to care for white leather shoes? In case of intense contamination, ordinary water and a napkin are indispensable. Strongly effective remedies will come to the rescue. You can buy special shoe shampoo at hardware stores. It carefully helps to wash away various types of dirt without damaging the natural material and preserving the original whiteness of the shoes.

You can try to wash off the dirt with regular shampoo. Lather it with a sponge and rub the stained areas vigorously. Finally, the couple is washed with clean water and moisturized with any nourishing cream.

Vaseline helps remove greasy stains. Apply it to a dry soft cloth and wipe off the dirty areas. After this, the ballet shoes are washed with shampoo and the skin is moisturized after drying.

The most difficult stains that cannot be removed by shoe or regular shampoo are not a death sentence. Try using proven ways to bring different types of white skin back to life.