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Any white sneakers fan knows they come at a cost; they’re notoriously difficult to take care of. Between erasing scuffs, stripping away grime, and scrubbing at stains, keeping white sneakers pristine can turn into a full-time job. Since sneakers have a variety of fabrics and textures, thoroughly cleaning just one pair can take hours. If you’re using the wrong tools and products, cleaning could actually lead to permanent discoloration or surface scratches.
At Charlie’s Soap, we believe that you shouldn’t spend more time cleaning your sneakers than wearing them. That’s why our cleaning experts have compiled a guide on how to clean even the whitest of white sneakers. Here are four expert cleaning hacks to make your white sneakers shine like new.
Put in Some Regular Sneaker TLC
Regular maintenance is the best way to keep your shoes in top form. Consistently cleaning your shoes reduces stains, prevents scuffing, and can even make your beloved pair of sneakers last longer.
For leather, cloth, and canvas shoes, cleaning is pretty straightforward. Using a soft washcloth with cool water, lift any debris or residue on your sneakers. Be sure to focus on the soles and edges of the shoes. Then, allow the shoes to dry completely. Depending on the rate of wear and tear, you may want to complete a once-over every couple of weeks.
Spot-Clean Sneakers with Fabric-Safe Stain Remover
Your shoes are on the front lines for some of the worst stains. Asphalt and mud are common killers for white sneakers. The second these substances touch your shoes, they settle in to stay, leaving splotchy pigmentation on leather, canvas, and cloth surfaces almost immediately. Even worse—most traditional stain fighters are a no-go. Run-of-the-mill stain treatments are typically filled with harmful chemicals and fillers. For sneakers made with a variety of textures and materials, these cleaners could cause additional discoloration or even long-term damage.
Instead, use fabric-safe stain removers like Charlie’s pre-spray stain remover to spot-clean your sneakers. Like everything from Charlie’s Soap, our stain remover spray is free of artificial additives and harmful irritants. Filled with safe, biodegradable ingredients, our pre-spray targets stains without causing surface damage.
If your sneakers are in need of a touch-up without a full-fledged clean, our pre-spray stain remover is the perfect way to give them a quick-and-fast refresh. Spray it on any dingy areas, and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Then, thoroughly rinse the areas with cool water and rub out the residual stain with your hands.
Soak Sneakers with Powerful Cleaners
When you’re ready to give your white shoes a deep clean, give them a serious pre-soak. If your shoes are machine-safe, this step will help you get that bright white finish. If you’re hand-washing, this step should help you cut down on elbow grease.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but you’ll want to stay away from chlorine bleaches and similar cleaners. Though these products promise to restore whites, they rely on chemicals caustic enough to break fabric fibers. Your best bet for shining white shoes is a pre-soak with a gentle but effective cleaner. Charlie’s Soap chlorine-free oxygen bleach is an eco-friendly alternative that offers the cleaning power of regular bleach without the fabric-frying side effects.
Our oxygen bleach is color- and fabric-safe, but be sure to follow care instructions and these steps:
- Soak the sneakers in cool water with two full scoops of oxygen bleach. For best results, allow it to soak for at least half an hour.
- While it soaks, our oxygen bleach will be lifting layers of residue from your sneakers.
- After the soak, whether you’re washing with a machine or with your hands, finish strong with Charlie’s natural detergents to flush away the residue and leave you with that trademark bright white finish.
Wash Shoelaces Separately
Because many laces are made with unique materials, they accumulate dirt and grime at a different rate than the rest of the shoe. Additionally, shoe laces are challenging to clean by hand. That means it’s easy to end up with perfectly white sneakers—with gray laces. Luckily, there’s good news: most laces are machine-washable, even on non-washable shoes.
Start by removing the laces from the shoes and tossing them in a mesh laundry bag to prevent them from getting twisted in the washer. Then, add them to your next load of laundry and wash them on a cold cycle with a deep-cleaning detergent. To avoid damaging the aglets, air-dry the laces. Just like that—white laces for white sneakers.
Clean from Tip to Toe with Charlie’s Soap
Whether you’re spiffing up your favorite white sneakers or giving your home exterior a cleaning face-lift, Charlie’s Soap has what you need. All our products meet the Charlie’s standard for eco-friendly, hypoallergenic cleaning power. There’s no better way to reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your kicks at the top of their game. Explore more from Charlie’s Soap.
