How to Clean White Sneakers (and Keep Them White)
White sneakers show everything. The good news: canvas and mesh whites can go in the washer, rubber soles come back with a damp sponge, and most yellowing comes from two avoidable mistakes.
The short version
- Canvas, mesh and knit whites: pre-treat, then machine wash on gentle in a padded bag.
- Leather whites: wipe by hand. Do not soak or machine wash them.
- Use oxygen bleach for dingy canvas, never chlorine bleach.
- Rinse well and dry out of direct sun so they don't yellow.
Canvas, mesh and knit whites
Pre-treat the grime
Mix a spoonful of baking soda with a little water and a drop of liquid detergent into a paste. Scrub it into scuffs and gray patches with a soft brush and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Brighten if they look dingy
For canvas that has gone gray, soak the shoes in an oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) solution, mixed as the package directs. Skip chlorine bleach: it can turn synthetic fibers and glue yellow.
Machine wash on gentle
Follow our washing machine guide: padded bag, towels to balance, gentle cycle, cold or warm water up to 86°F (30°C), a small amount of mild liquid detergent.
Dry them in the shade
Stuff with white paper towels, not newspaper, which can leave ink on the lining. Dry at room temperature, away from direct sun and heaters.
Leather whites
Leather should not be soaked or machine washed. Wipe the uppers with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a drop of mild soap, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth and dry with a towel. Once a month, a leather conditioner keeps the leather from cracking.
Soles and midsoles
A damp melamine sponge (often sold as a "magic eraser") lifts scuffs from white rubber and foam midsoles. Rub lightly; it works like very fine sandpaper, so keep it off printed logos and glossy finishes.
Laces
Laces can ride along in the wash bag. If they are badly stained, soak them in warm water with oxygen bleach, or simply replace them; a new pair of white laces costs a few dollars and makes the whole shoe look newer.
Why white sneakers turn yellow
- Leftover detergent. Soap that isn't rinsed out oxidizes as it dries and leaves yellow tide marks. Use less detergent; if you see marks, rinse the shoes again in plain water.
- Sun and heat. UV light and heat yellow white rubber and foam over time. Dry and store whites out of direct sun.
- Chlorine bleach. It reacts with many synthetic materials and glues. Oxygen bleach is the safer choice.
Keeping them white longer
- Wipe fresh marks the same day, before they set.
- Use a water-repellent spray made for canvas or fabric shoes after each deep clean.
- Store them in a breathable bag or box, not a hot car or a sunny window.
