How to keep your white sneakers clean

The likes of Gigi and Bella Hadid cemented the white sneaker as a wardrobe essential a few seasons back, elevating it from a comfortable yet unfashionable footwear choice to an effortless style statement. But buying these shoes is one thing, and keeping them clean is another. We like to break down the cleaning process into two main parts - prevention and actual cleaning - in order to keep those stains at bay. 

Prevention:

Step 1 - You know what they say - prevention is better than cure. So, invest in a good quality protective spray to create a barrier that stops the leather or canvas from absorbing spills and dirt. We love the Water and Stain Protector by Waproo for this.    

Step 2 - The easiest way to prevent stains from forming is to keep your shoes clean after each wear.  We like to wipe down our leather sneakers (and the soles of our canvas sneakers) with a wet wipe or a damp cloth after every wear to avoid build-up and staining.

Cleaning:

Cleaning the soles:

For a more thorough clean of your rubber soles, one of the most highly recommended methods is to use a Magic Eraser. This aptly-named cleaning tool is great for getting at some of those trickier stains and marks on the rubber soles of our shoes. All you’ll need to do is to dip your sponge in water, wring it out well and then rub the surface that needs cleaning.

Cleaning leather sneakers:

1. Start by stuffing your shoes - either with newspapers, old rags or shoe trees (if available) to help them maintain their shape in case moisture seeps in during the cleaning process.
2. Start by wiping off the top layer of loose dirt with a soft cloth.
3. Using either a cloth or a soft toothbrush and a mild dish soap solution, gently scrub away at those marks.
4. Alternatively, you can use a solution of equal parts baking soda and water mixed into a paste and clean gently using a toothbrush.
5. Allow them to dry completely before slipping them on. 

Cleaning canvas & knit sneakers:

1. Follow steps 1-2 as you would for leather sneakers
2. Next, you can try either a traditional wash (same as step 3 above) 
3. If that doesn’t work, try a baking soda solution with 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and a cup of water. Use a cloth or toothbrush to scrub your sneakers clean.
4. Alternatively, you can also try a special shoe cleaning solution.
5. Allow them to dry completely before slipping them on. 

Don’t forget your shoelaces!

• We recommend removing these prior to cleaning your sneakers so you can really get into all the little crevices.
• You’ll also want to wash the laces separately in warm soapy water either by hand or in the washing machine.