How To Clean White Shoes Without Bleach

How to Clean White Shoes

You'll thank us for these genius and easy tips for how to clean white shoes. Read on to learn how to clean white shoes 5 different ways.

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supplies clean white shoes Family Handyman

What You'll Need For How to Clean White Shoes 5 Different Ways:

Baking soda
White vinegar
Hot water
Bleach (mix one-part bleach for every five parts water)
Rubber Gloves
Clean bucket
OxiClean
Dish soap
Non-gel white toothpaste
Laundry detergent
Old toothbrush
Towel

Here are the cleaning miracles all homeowners should have on hand.

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clean white shoes with baking soda and vinegar Family Handyman

Clean White Shoes with Baking Soda

To clean white shoes with baking soda, combine one tablespoon of hot water, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and one tablespoon of baking soda. Mix until it reaches a paste-like consistency.

Next, use an old toothbrush to lather the mixture onto the dirtied areas of your white shoes. Work in circular motions for best results. Once the shoes are covered, leave them outside in the sunlight until dry. After the mixture is dry, clap the shoes together to remove the paste. Use the toothbrush to remove any of the left over residue. Here's how to get rid of the smell in stinky shoes.

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bleach clean shoes Family Handyman

Bleach Clean Your White Shoes

To clean white shoes with bleach, mix the bleach and water solution (mix one-part bleach for every five parts water) in a well-ventilated area, or outside, and gently scrub the shoes using an old toothbrush. Rinse the shoes in warm water and air dry them overnight if possible. If your sneakers still look dirty, try this hack to transform worn-out sneakers into brand-new ones.

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HH clean sneakers with a toothbrush and toothpaste white Family Handyman

Toothpaste to Clean White Shoes

All you need is an old toothbrush and a little toothpaste to get your old sneakers looking like new! Non-gel white toothpaste works great for cleaning white-soled sneakers (colored toothpaste may stain rather than clean sneakers). Apply toothpaste to an old toothbrush and then work the paste into the dirty spots. Leave the toothpaste on the shoes for about ten minutes, and then wipe it off with a damp towel. Repeat the process if necessary. Check out these 50 things you never knew you could do with toothpaste.

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clean shoes with laundry detergent Family Handyman

Clean White Shoes Laundry Detergent

To clean your white sneakers with laundry detergent, first remove any excess dirt with a toothbrush. Mix water and a small amount of laundry detergent in a bucket to create a slightly soapy mixture. Apply a small amount of laundry detergent to a toothbrush and clean any dirty areas. Next, wipe away any excess detergent on the shoes with a dishcloth. Air dry your shoes at room temperature.

If you want all of the other shoes in your closet to look brand new too, here's how to clean every type of shoe.

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Female sneakers. White female shoes on feet. Sneakers closeup. Maksym Azovtsev/Shutterstock

Tips to Maintain Clean White Sneakers:

Prevention is key for maintaining white sneakers. So, before you wear your new white shoes on for the first time, treat them with a spray-on stain-and-water repellent.
Make spot-cleaning your shoes a habit. Wipe off any stains or scuffs as soon as you see them with some dish soap.
Pick up a Magic Eraser next time you're in the store, because it will soon become your go-to for keeping sneakers white. Simply wet the Magic Eraser with water, and rub your shoes in a circular motion to watch the melamine foam work its magic.
Don't forget the shoelaces. Remove the shoelaces and clean them in soapy bath.

These seriously clever shoe hacks will have you jumping for joy!

Originally Published: January 26, 2020

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