As beautiful as white sneakers look, they all have the same weak point: dust and dirt residues appear on the new shoes as soon as they’ve been worn. We’ll tell you how you can protect your shoes in advance and which home remedies help against light to heavy dirt.
It doesn’t matter what type of sneaker it is: whether made of leather or fabric, white shoes are – literally – marked by their wearers. In fact, a light patina even gives most models a fashionable touch, but this look is short-lived. As soon as dust and dirt get out of hand, the new shoes suddenly look old and dirty. To avoid this, you have to take the first steps before breaking them in. If it’s already too late for that, you can use the following (household) tricks to clean white sneakers.
Cleaning gadgets for white sneakers
1. Shoe brush
When dry, light dust and dirt residues can be easily removed with a regular shoe brush for leather and textiles. Alternatively, you can also use a special and caps (also in combination with a ) use.
2. Sneaker Cleaner
This product is a combination of brush and cleaning foam. Before the first use, the shoes must be cleaned of dust and dirt, then the to use: First, the material (leather or textile) is worked with circular movements, then the residues are removed with a cloth.
3. Dirt eraser
As the name suggests, a can remove light signs of wear on white sneakers (more precisely, it only works on the rubber soles and caps). To do this, simply moisten the sponge slightly and rub it over the affected areas.
4. White color care
For white sneakers made of smooth leather there are these with integrated applicator. According to the manufacturer, it can refresh the color; the shoes only need to be cleaned beforehand. Then the sponge is pressed lightly and applied evenly.
Cleaning sneakers: The best home remedies
When it comes to dirt, there is always some household remedy that is supposed to help – and this is also the case with white sneakers:
- White toothpaste It is said that they can easily remove visible signs of wear on fabric or leather sneakers. Just put a small amount on an old, damp toothbrush and massage the product into the material in circular motions until it foams. Allow it to work for a short time and then wash off the foam.
- baking powder is an all-rounder that can also be used to clean white sneakers in combination with a dab of transparent washing-up liquid. In a ratio of 1:1. It works in the same way as toothpaste and here too the foam must be dabbed off with a damp cloth.
- A Bleach can be used when rubber soles are heavily soiled, as it is very aggressive. However, use it only very sparingly and wear the It is best to use a small cotton swab. Put on a pair of rubber gloves beforehand to protect your skin.
- Dishwashing liquid (preferably a colorless one) is also a tried and tested household remedy for cleaning white sneakers. Rub it sparingly into the material with a fine shoe brush or toothbrush until it begins to foam. After a short exposure time, dab the foam off with a towel and then let the shoes dry.
How to clean your shoelaces
While white sneakers should only be put in the washing machine in an emergency, you can wash the laces in the washing machine without any worries. It is best to place the fine laces in a – Alternatively, you can of course wash the material by hand (in warm water).
Preventive measures for white sneakers
If you have bought white sneakers, the most important rule before trying them on for the first time is: waterproof them! Regardless of whether you have chosen leather shoes or a mix of materials – in order to protect your new shoes from moisture and dirt as well as from yellowing and fading due to the sun’s rays, they should definitely be waterproofed with a (including sun protection factor). And since the effect wears off over time, you should repeat the treatment at regular intervals. To further protect the white shoe seams and remove dirt, there is even a special .
That’s why the washing machine is only an emergency solution
We are used to cleaning dirty textiles in the washing machine – but fabric sneakers are not usually one of them. The fact is that water that is too hot, the detergent and the spin cycle can attack the materials and make them unstable (i.e. the glue comes off). In addition, the white sole often takes on a yellow tinge. However, if the level of dirt is so high that you cannot avoid using the washing machine, you should heed the following tips:
- Store the sneakers in a so that they do not damage other textiles – or themselves.
- It is best to use a special Alternatively, you can also use a normal laundry detergent.
- Wash the shoes as cold as possible, i.e. at 30 degrees or a special (cold) gentle program.
- Do not dry the sneakers on or under the heater, as wet leather is sensitive to heat.
- Stuff the shoes with newspaper and then let them dry in the fresh air.
And another note:
Wet sneakers look grey after cleaning, but don’t let that worry you. You won’t see the real result until the material is dry.
More information can be found here.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
