How to Clean White Sneakers

How to Clean White Sneakers

Some people think white sneakers look their best when they’re beaten up and worn in. Others know that you never scuff up a pair of pristine Jordans (video). If you do want to clean your sneakers, the effort required depends on the material of the shoes. But at the very least, you should be able to get them looking a little less grimy.

What you need

Shoe trees: These are ideal for maintaining the shape of your shoes while you’re cleaning them. In a pinch you can stuff your shoes with newspaper or old T-shirts and rags.

Crep Protect Wipes: These individually sealed wipes are great for cleaning shoes, especially if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to use a bunch of supplies.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser: To clean firm surfaces on your shoes, any sort of melamine sponge works well—they have the right level of abrasion to remove dirt without damaging the underlying surface.

A soft toothbrush or a nail brush: Use one of these to gently scrub away dirt.

Dish soap: We used Seventh Generation Dish Liquid or Dawn, but whatever you have on hand should be fine.

OxiClean (for heavy stains): Use with care, but on canvas sneakers OxiClean can pick up grime that otherwise refuses to budge.

How long will this take to clean?

Plan for five minutes to an hour (plus drying time), depending on the type of shoes you have and how soiled they are.

The materials the shoes are made of will dictate how you clean them—and how long it will take. But there are some universal first steps.

Stuff the shoes, and brush off loose dirt

To help shoes maintain their shape, begin by filling them, either with shoe trees or something else, such as rags or newspaper. Doing this makes the shoes easier to handle and provides a buffer to absorb any liquids that happen to seep through.

If you have a shoe brush, use it to brush off loose dirt. An old toothbrush, a soft nail brush, or even a soft cloth will also work. The goal here is to knock off any dust and dirt without pushing it deeper into the material.

How to clean leather sneakers

Thankfully, leather sneakers are the easiest to clean. If you’re using Crep Protect Wipes, open a fresh one, and use the soft side of the cloth to gently buff out any marks. If the dirt is stubborn, use the textured side of the wipe. If you don’t have Crep Protect Wipes, a Magic Eraser will also work well (but be sure to go gently because the eraser can be abrasive if you push too hard).

To more easily reach those hard-to-clean nooks and crannies, you can remove the laces (but keeping the laces on helps maintain the shape of your shoes).

Make sure your shoes are totally dry before you wear them.

How to clean canvas sneakers

Canvas shoes like Chuck Taylors and Supergas can be difficult to clean because grime works its way into the shoe’s fabric. However, canvas can generally withstand a substantial amount of scrubbing, so most stains can be removed with a bit of work.

After mixing some dish soap and water, clean your shoes by scrubbing them with a toothbrush in small, circular motions. When you’re done, wipe them down with a damp towel to clear off any remaining suds.

Let your shoes dry between rounds of cleaning. You won’t be able to tell how much dirt remains if they’re still wet.

If your sneakers still have stains, try using a stain remover like Tide or OxiClean. Apply the stain remover, and let the liquid sit for about five minutes before dabbing with a damp cloth. I was initially hesitant to try something this aggressive, but sneaker-cleaning legend Jason Markk said it’s okay, so I’m fine with it.

Into the washing machine?

A hotly debated topic is whether you should toss your shoes into the wash. Some have done this successfully. But don’t discount stories of shoes disintegrating in the washing machine (something that happened to Wirecutter senior editor Jen Hunter). So proceed with caution because it’s not a gentle process.

How to clean knit shoes

Knit shoes, like Nike’s Flyknit or Adidas’s Primeknit, are incredibly comfortable and have a huge amount of stretch. They’re also a nightmare to clean. If you scrub too hard, you can damage the fabric.

Start by dipping a clean cloth in soapy water, and use it to gently scrub the shoe. To maintain the structure of the shoe, work in the direction of the knit as much as possible. Wipe off any soapy residue.

As with canvas sneakers, with knit shoes you can use stronger cleaners as needed. However, since you shouldn’t scrub knit with as much vigor as other materials, always go in with a light touch.

And, as with any shoes you’re cleaning, let them dry completely before slipping them on.

Finishing touches

To clean the midsole, dampen a Magic Eraser, and use it to scrub the edge of the sole at the base of your shoe. Save this step for last, in case you get any drips as you clean the upper part of the shoe. This process is the same regardless of the type of shoe you’re cleaning.

When I was working on this piece, I attempted to clean my partner’s white knit Stan Smiths. Let’s just say the improvements were marginal, even after multiple attempts over multiple days. Sometimes you have to admit that your sneakers will never look as shiny as the day they came out of the box. And maybe that’s okay.

About your guide

Tim Barribeau is the editor in charge of pets and carry coverage (the latter is anything you might take with you on the way out the door to work). He has been with Wirecutter since 2012, and previously headed our cameras section. A man with too many hobbies, he’s currently engrossed in leatherwork, and he might make you a wallet if you ask nicely.

Mentioned above

Further reading

• The Best White Sneakers

  by Kaitlyn Wells

  We tested the best white sneakers for women and men and found five classic, versatile pairs we think you’ll love, and they all come in unisex sizes.

• The Best Water Shoes

  by Justin Krajeski

  Water shoes are utilitarian, keeping your feet safe underwater. But they can be stylish, too. We’ve found five pairs in a variety of styles to suit anyone.

• The Best Shoes for Indoor Cycling

  by Amy Roberts

  After spinning our way through dozens of classes, we believe the women’s and men’s Louis Garneau Multi Air Flex shoes to be the best for indoor cycling.

• Our Favorite Sneakers

  by Wirecutter Staff

  We asked our staffers to tell us all about their go-to pairs of sneakers. Whether you’re into vintage retro or modern minimalism, we have something for everyone.