When determining how to clean sneakers, the material is a major factor. Here’s a quick guide to cleaning common shoe materials:
Canvas: Canvas is durable and can handle a good scrubbing. Cleaning white canvas shoes with baking soda and vinegar can remove stains. Scrub with a toothbrush, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Leather: Leather is durable, but hard brushes can cause scratches or scuffs. Instead, use microfiber cloths or soft brushes, and make long, up-and-down wiping motions. All you need is a little dish soap.
- Suede: One of the finickier materials, the best method for suede is a soft brush with a suede cleaner. For stains, use a white eraser to remove them, or gently dab vinegar and then dab with a damp cloth.
- Mesh or Knit: These materials are more delicate, so be gentle. Use a mix of warm water and dish soap and scrub with a soft brush or cloth. For serious stains, use a small amount of water mixed with baking soda or a dab of hydrogen peroxide to clean white mesh shoes.
No matter the material, aim to give your shoes a light clean every one to three weeks or so. The right schedule depends on how much you wear them and how quickly they get dirty.
And don’t forget about all the extra bits! It’s not just the uppers you have to worry about when cleaning your white sneakers:
- Rubber soles: Clean with warm water and a melanine sponge/Magic Eraser. For stubborn gunk, use a little dish soap.
- Insoles: Remove when cleaning your shoes and wash separately. The best method is to scrub with warm water and mild soap using a toothbrush or soft brush.
- Laces: Remove these too whenever cleaning your kicks. If they’re very dirty, soak them in warm water with baking soda, vinegar or dish soap, then rinse in cool water. If they’re still dirty, scrub with a toothbrush or dab with hydrogen peroxide. Repeat as many times as necessary.
If you need any cleaning supplies, shop Hibbett’s shoe care collection, with brushes, cleaning solutions, protectant sprays and wipes made for shoes.
