Nothing completes a stylish outfit quite like a pair of white sneakers. They are a wardrobe staple but let’s face it, bad things happen to good white sneakers. Coffee stains, scuff marks, grime, you name it. Your white sneakers are going to look pretty grubby after a while. The solution? A few secret potions that are hiding in plain sight deep within your pantry and bathroom cabinet.
Keeping your kicks looking this clean and bright has never been easier with these clever hacks.
When cleaning sneakers, always start with the soles and rubber detailing. You will be amazed at what a difference clean soles make. Grab an old toothbrush and some white non-gel toothpaste. Scrub the soles with the toothpaste in a circular motion. Make sure you don’t brush the material of the sneaker. Let the toothpaste set in for ten minutes. Wipe the soles with a damp cloth. If there are some marks you missed, repeat the process again.
Now it’s time for the laces. Make sure you remove them from your sneakers first and brush off any loose dirt. Fill your sink with hot water and add a tablespoon of laundry detergent and baking soda. Let the laces soak for a few minutes. Gently massage the laces between your thumb and index finger to remove the dirt. Once you are satisfied with the result, rinse them thoroughly and hang them out to dry.
Canvas shoes are quite durable but even they are susceptible to stains and marks. To get them back to their former glory, all you need is a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Ready for some science? Great! First, make sure all the excess dirt has been brushed off of the sneakers. Next, mix an equal amount of water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. Apply the baking soda mixture all over the canvas. Leave it on until the mixture has completely dried. Finally, gently brush off the dried mixture with a scrubbing brush.
Suede shoes are a little trickier because of how delicate the fabric is. You will need to take extra caution when removing the stains. Start by blotting the stains with a dry paper towel, make sure you don’t rub the stain, this will only make it worse. Next, dip a microfiber cloth into some white vinegar and gently rub it over the stain. Leave your sneakers to dry. Once they are dry, gently brush them with a suede brush to get them back to their original texture.
Leather shoes are much easier to clean than you may think. You don’t have to rush them off to the cleaners every time you use them. Toothpaste, sugar and warm water work just as well. To start, make sure all the excess dirt has been wiped away first. Next mix a pinch of sugar into a little bit of toothpaste. Wet the toothbrush with warm water and gently brush the paste over the leather using circular motions. Once you have removed all the dirt and scuff marks, wipe the toothpaste off with a damp cloth and voilà! Your white sneakers are white again.
These easy hacks are a cost-effective way to keep your kicks looking as good as new. All it takes is a little elbow grease and you’ll be rocking your white sneakers again in no time.
