How to Clean White Fabric Shoes

Whether you wear white leather shoes or canvas sneakers, dirt, and stains will soon accumulate. Fortunately, cleaning these shoes and keeping them looking like new effectively is easy.

Most cleaning methods use items likely already in your house. These straightforward tricks will help your white fabric shoes look as bright and clean as possible.

1. Soak them in bleach or hydrogen peroxide

If your white fabric shoes are beginning to show signs of wear and tear, try soaking them in bleach or hydrogen peroxide for a freshening touch. Both options are simple enough for anyone to do and will restore the original shine to your white footwear.

To soak fabric shoes in bleach, create a solution with one part bleach and five parts water (this is an approximate ratio; however, be mindful not to add too much bleach as it could turn your white fabric shoes yellow). Work the bleach into your white fabric shoes using a soft-bristled brush in circular motions until all dirt marks have been eliminated.

You could also try making a paste from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to restore your white canvas sneakers to their original shine. While this method requires some patience, it will restore your shoes to their original bright white condition.

2. Brush them with acetone-based nail polish remover

If your white fabric shoes need a good wipe down, nail polish remover is an easy solution. Brush them lightly with some liquid in a clean, soft cloth, then leave them to air dry.

If you’re not a fan of acetone, several acetone-free alternatives, such as ethyl acetate and methyl ethyl ketone, may work just as well. However, some people find these less efficient.

Acetone can also be an excellent tool for eliminating stubborn stains from various surfaces around the home, including permanent marker marks on keyboards.

You can also use it to disinfect razor blades. Simply dip them into the liquid, then dry them in a cupboard or area. Doing this will help keep them in optimal condition for longer.

3. Scrub them with baking soda

Baking soda is an economical and natural way to remove dirt from white fabric shoes. Not only does it remove odors, absorb smelly shoe stains, and leave your sneakers looking pristine, but baking soda also removes stains that leave your sneakers looking new.

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with warm water to clean white shoes until you have a paste-like consistency. Dip a cloth or soft toothbrush into this solution and gently scrub away dirt and stains using circular motions.

Once you’ve finished scrubbing, allow the mixture to dry completely. Then, clap your shoes together over a trashcan to knock off any leftover paste and rinse them thoroughly with a sponge or clean cloth.

When combined with vinegar, baking soda makes an effective natural shoe cleaner. You can use it on shoes of all kinds – leather or suede included!

4. Clean the soles

White fabric shoes are one of the simplest types to clean. Additionally, they’re antimicrobial, helping keep bacteria, mold, and sweat at bay.

However, dirt can quickly accumulate and ruin their shine if you don’t take care of your shoes. That is why knowing how to clean white fabric shoes is essential.

Lighter stains usually disappear with a simple rag or wipe, but if your shoes are more susceptible to soiling, using a cleaning solution is recommended instead.

Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water are effective cleaning solutions for shoe soles. Dip a toothbrush into this mixture and gently scrub away, leaving your shoes spotless. Alternatively, try using Magic Eraser on the same area to eliminate scuff marks and streaks of dirt.