How to wash white sneakers?
White color does not go out of fashion and shoe manufacturers actively use it. Wearing white sneakers is nice, but with the appearance of pollution, you can be very upset. Do not rush to run to the dry cleaners or throw away shoes, there is a way out. To begin with, simply remove dust from the surface and try to determine the nature of the stains. Evaluate the quality of the material and accessories. Now it remains only to choose the best remedy and return the sneakers to their original appearance.
Peculiarities
White sneakers cannot be washed with the usual wet wipes, but this is not a reason to despair. Be patient and get ready to work. Do not try to immediately wash dusty shoes, wet dirt will saturate the material and the bleaching task will become more difficult.
Preparatory steps:
- Pull out the laces.
- Take out the insoles and wash them separately. For safe removal, do not make sudden movements.
- Use a shoe brush to get rid of dry dirt on the sole and surface of the shoe.
Now you need to dry clean. Actions vary depending on the material of the shoe. Gently wipe suede sneakers with a special brush to remove any remaining dirt and dust. Models made of natural and artificial leather, as well as textiles, process with a dry and then damp sponge. Other materials can be cleaned with a hard cloth.Leave the shoes on for 15 minutes to let the moisture evaporate naturally. Only after that you can proceed to the main procedure.
Types of pollution
Shoes can be stained in various ways. In the process of walking along the streets of a metropolis, sneakers can be stained with dust or grass, often such spots remain on the fabric. Often, dirty water from puddles or trees can get on the surface. In this case, you will have to get rid of the yellow streaks.
It will be a little more difficult to clean the sneakers from ingrained dirt. Therefore, it is better to pay attention to the condition of the sole and the surface at the end of each day. You can get rid of fresh stains in traditional ways or using folk remedies.
How to wash?
Proven methods will help wash sneakers, sneakers, converse so that they return to their original whiteness. Cleaning methods depend on the material of your shoes. It is important to wash not only the sneakers themselves, but also the soles, laces and insoles. Washing can be done both manually and in a washing machine.
Fabric sneakers are easier to wash than models made from other materials. Hand washing will be quick and will show an excellent result only under one condition - the right powder. You can use classic laundry soap or a special powder that is intended for washing white things. Soak the pair in soapy water for 30-40 minutes, then wash the shoes, paying attention to stained areas. Stubborn dirt is perfectly removed after rubbing the problem area with an old toothbrush.
Washing in the machine should be done on a special mode for shoes. If there is none, then choose a delicate one, but remove the spin and add time to rinse.Before the procedure, place your favorite sneakers in a special washing net or in a regular white pillowcase. The water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. Machine wash is not suitable for models with fragile decorative elements and lighting. Regardless of the type of washing, it is important to thoroughly rinse white shoes.
If you doubt the quality of the material of the sneakers, then it would be better to clean them manually. Low quality models simply won't survive the stress of automatic processing.
White leather products have a representative appearance. With active use, such sneakers quickly lose their appearance. Easy procedures will help you quickly return your favorite shoes to their original gloss:
- Gently go over the entire surface of the shoe with a soapy sponge. If the dirt is serious, it is better to replace the soft sponge with an old soft brush. Wipe your shoes with a dry cloth.
- For some stains, it is better to purchase a special cleaner for cleaning leather shoes. It is sold in all shoe stores.
- You can mix milk and potato starch in equal proportions and apply to the surface. After rubbing, remove the remaining paste with a soft cloth.
- At the end of all the manipulations, it is necessary to cover the skin with a transparent shoe cream. If necessary, rub all decorative elements to a shine.
Soaking and washing are not suitable for cleaning shoes made from natural materials. The use of such methods leads to a roughening of the texture and a change in skin tone. Gentle wet cleaning perfectly eliminates yellowness and dust.
Another material that does not like standard cleaning is suede.If you get wet suede shoes in the rain, then be sure to leave them for a while until they dry naturally.
The very cleaning of suede sneakers is done as follows:
- Brush the surface. Avoid excessive pressure and move in one direction.
- Use a thick, dry cloth to remove residual dirt.
- Brush the suede again.
- Oil stains are removed exclusively with products that are specifically designed for this. Such cleaning products are sold in the form of foam or spray, they are suitable only for this particular type of dirt. Shake the can well before use, apply the foam to the suede sponge and spread the composition over the shoes. Treat places with ingrained dirt additionally. You can start with a local spot and then cover the entire area of the shoe. You can do the opposite.
- The final step is drying at room temperature.
A simple gray dust coating on suede can be removed with steam cleaning. Hold your shoes over a jet of steam from a kettle, iron, or special appliance. The procedure should be carried out within 1 minute or less. The suede should be damp, but not wet. After that, treat the surface with a rubber brush.
There is not much point in washing the entire pair of sneakers when localized contamination appears. Enough to make an impact on a small area.
The cleaning mixture should be smeared on the stain and cleaned with a soft sponge. Spots on the soles of sneakers are a familiar phenomenon for all white lovers. Black spots and gray stripes can significantly ruin the whole look.
Here are the manipulations that will help rehabilitate the rubber sole:
- Before washing, rub the dirt with a regular eraser. The hardware store sells melamine sponges, they will also be your allies in the fight against stains on white soles.
- If you only need to wash the sole, use soapy water and a brush of the right size.
- Toothpaste and powder can whiten the surface.
- You can get rid of yellowness thanks to the substances that are contained in acetone. Apply the liquid to a cotton or cloth disc and wipe the sole without pressure.
It's time to clean the insoles of your favorite shoes. Wet them thoroughly under running water and rub with classic laundry soap. Now arm yourself with a brush of the right size and scrub the most soiled areas. Repeat the procedure as many times as needed.
Cleaning the laces is also easy. Wrap them around your palm and apply a slurry of tooth powder or whitening toothpaste. Set aside for 20-30 minutes, depending on the degree of soiling. Rinse off the mixture with running water afterwards. If the dirt does not succumb, then additionally use a soap solution.
What can be used?
At home, it is much easier to use folk remedies. So, many contaminants can be removed with any toothpaste, soda and peroxide. The usual powder and laundry soap will help out. Before use, it is worth doing a test on the inside of the tongue and make sure that the product does not harm the material of the shoe.
What can be used in the fight against stains:
- Whitening toothpaste and an old brush will be your allies. To enhance the effect, you can add a couple of drops of fresh lemon juice. Do not wet the brush too much, so as not to dilute the composition.
- Cloth inserts can be bleached with a stain remover.The product must be used according to the instructions. For application, use the same toothbrush.
- A little vinegar can be added to the usual powder, fresh lemon juice or peroxide. As a result, you will get a thick slurry that needs to be applied to the surface. Scrub the shoes with a brush and rinse thoroughly under running water. This composition is not suitable for shoes that have mesh inserts.
Small stains can be removed with:
- General Purpose Bleach. The names of such funds often contain the insert "OXI". These bleaches are able to refresh the color and remove dirt.
- Conventional stain removers that deal with small stains. There are professional stain removers that are produced for dry cleaners, but their cost is much higher.
- You can also use detergents for washing clothes, they are sold in many stores and the price is low.
- Oxygen bleach will make your shoes dazzling snow white. If the product is purchased in powder form, then be sure to dilute it with water. This bleach will help clean your sneakers along with the soles.
After washing, you must use means to protect shoes. Before going outside or the evening before, cover your favorite shoes with a special spray or wax: the product will repel dirt and excess moisture. Even if you get dirty, the stain will not eat into the material.
How to dry?
Improper drying of white sneakers can negate all your whitening efforts: sneakers can become seriously deformed. To avoid negative consequences, be sure to fill a pair of your favorite shoes with white toilet paper or paper towels. Do not try to use old newspapers. The paint will imprint on the sneakers.
You can dry your sneakers outside or in a warm part of the apartment. Be sure to choose a place far from heat sources. If after washing there is an unpleasant smell, then put the peeled potatoes inside. For the same purpose, you can put coffee beans or citrus peels for several hours.
Tips & Tricks
Improper cleaning can lead to the complete loss of the presentation of your favorite sneakers. Experienced housewives are ready to share their experience and warn young girls and boys against mistakes. Follow their simple guidelines:
- Leather sneakers must be treated with a water-repellent agent.
- Do not wash soft nubuck and suede.
- Budget models, sneakers made of textiles, lace and mesh will not survive encounters with aggressive detergents. Use laundry or liquid soap when washing.
- Sneakers made of genuine leather are recommended to be cleaned with a simple soap and a special sponge.
- Stubborn dirt can be removed from the fabric base only with a high-quality mild stain remover.
- The rag base can be cleaned with ammonia. When working with this product, be sure to ventilate the room, wear rubber gloves and a mask to protect the respiratory tract.
- Toothpaste with lemon juice can whiten sneakers as well as industrial chemicals.
- With a simple stationery eraser, you can rub off a lot of stains. This method is good because it can be used away from home, on the road.
- Toothpaste will do its job better if you wash it off and reapply it periodically. Avoid active friction, as this can damage the material.
- In some cases, you can paint over the stain. Choose the color carefully so as not to damage the shoes even more.
- Leather sneakers are machine washed only in extreme cases. Moreover, the procedure can be carried out only with high quality durable shoes.
- If you started washing, then be sure to process the laces and insoles. These important characteristics of the cleanliness of shoes and seriously affect the appearance of the entire product.
How to wash and clean white sneakers, see the following video.