Sneaker Care and Cleaning 101

Some sneakers look better with a bit of wear and tear, but every pair eventually needs proper care, especially the white sneakers. When your shoes start showing dirt or giving off unwanted odors, it's time to give them some attention. Here's how to keep your sneakers looking and smelling fresh:

‍

{{cta-join2}}

‍

Machine Wash

‍

Want to clean your sneakers fast? If they’re not made from leather or suede, you can probably just toss them in your washing machine! This works great for most synthetic or canvas sneakers, but always check that care label first. Before you start, take off those laces and put them into a small mesh washing bag to wash alongside your shoes. If you notice a stubborn stain, pre-treat it with a stain remover. Remember to use cold water and keep the detergent minimal. When they're done, let them air-dry naturally. Here's a pro tip: stuff the toe box with a small towel or dishrag to soak up extra moisture faster.

‍

Hand Wash

‍

Certain sneakers, especially ones made from leather or suede, cannot be machine-washed. So if you have those or anyway want to handwash your sneakers, start by removing dirt or debris using a microfiber cloth or shoe brush (a clean toothbrush works great too!). Next, mix up a cleaning solution — just add a small squirt of dish soap or laundry detergent to a bowl of water. You can also use equal parts water and white vinegar. Now comes the fun part — dip your brush in the solution and scrub in small circles until your sneakers look fresh again. While you're at it, don't forget to remove those laces and give them a good soak in a separate bowl with some detergent. Finally, let everything air-dry overnight before wearing them again.

‍

Eliminate Odor

‍

When machine washing your sneakers, add an odor eliminator like white vinegar to the wash. Also, remove the insoles and wash and dry them separately — this can eliminate a lot of odor. There are odor-eliminating sprays available for purchase, but if you'd prefer to DIY it (warning: it's a little messy), you can apply baking soda to your shoes. If you brew coffee regularly, collect the used grounds, dry them thoroughly, put them in socks, and leave them in your shoes overnight. Make sure the coffee is completely dry; otherwise, your shoes will smell like coffee (which is fine if you don't mind it). Also, make sure you rotate your sneakers so they have a chance to dry completely between wearings.

‍

Store Properly

‍

To extend the lifespan and appearance of your sneakers, proper storage is essential. Avoid tossing them in a pile where they can get dirty under the filth of other shoes. Instead, store them in their original box, clear storage containers, or on a shoe rack. Combat creasing, a common sneaker problem, by using shoe trees or stuffing them with newspaper when not being worn. While newspapers are convenient and budget-friendly, investing in proper shoe trees is more sustainable for long-term sneaker care.

‍