Lightweight sneakers are one of the most aesthetic and attractive pieces of clothing. Whether white or in warm colors like beige, shoes in soft colors are among the most chosen due to the simplicity with which they can be combined, their versatility or their minimalist aesthetic.
However, continued use can cause different signs of deterioration, such as the accumulation of dirt and stains that are difficult to remove, which could damage the image of the shoe, making it less wearable and less attractive. It is therefore advisable to carry out regular cleaning to keep your shoes looking new for as long as possible.
One of the biggest mistakes made when cleaning shoes is washing them in a machine. This is not recommended as not all parts of the shoe should be treated the same. Thus, both the sole and certain interior parts, insoles or reinforcements, have components different from those outside, such as leather, fabric or synthetic material, so the washing process must be adapted to the characteristics of the fabric.
In this way, it is important to pay attention to the materials that each shoe is made of before choosing the washing method. So here are some ways to remove stains that appear on your white sneakers.
fabric slippers
Fabric sneakers – or canvas sneakers – are one of the most common types of shoes due to different factors, such as their great comfort, their affordability or their versatility when it comes to combining them in different contexts and with different clothes.
However, although it is one of the most commercialized sneaker materials, it is also one of the most likely to get dirty easily. For cleaning, the following ingredients are required:
- Baking soda.
- White cleaning vinegar.
- Lukewarm water.
- A soft-bristled brush – or an old toothbrush.
To start, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of white vinegar and two of water until you have a thick paste. Next, dip the brush into the mixture and gently rub it in circles over the affected areas with stains or traces of dirt.
After that, let the paste sit on the stains for half an hour. After the time has elapsed, clean the shoes with a damp cloth, removing all excess mixture, rinse the area with cold water without completely wetting the shoe or excessively submerging the affected area.
Finally, let the shoes air dry. It is best to leave them in the shade to prevent the sun from fading the material. This method is a little slower, as the shoes will take a little longer to dry, but it is safer to avoid possible incidents.
leather slippers
Leather sneakers are the preferred option for many users. These stand out for their durability and resistance to wear, as well as the fact that they offer more sophisticated clothing, establishing themselves as an excellent option for both informal and more elegant looks.
Leather is a more delicate material, but also more waterproof, which makes it more difficult to stain, but also to clean. This way, to clean leather shoes you will only need basic materials like mild soap, warm water and a microfiber cloth.
To begin, dampen a cloth with warm water and add a small amount of soap to it. After that, gently rub the stains with circular motions, avoiding getting the leather too wet to prevent damage. It is important to use a microfiber cloth or sponge, as brushes can damage the leather, lifting or cracking it.
Once all dirt is removed, use another dry cloth to remove dirt and soap and water marks. Finally, let the shoes air dry, avoiding direct sunlight. On the other hand, there are specific conditioners for light-colored leathers that will keep the shoes hydrated and prevent them from cracking once cleaning is finished, before letting the shoes dry.
Clean the soles
The soles and sides of shoes are one of the places where dirt accumulates the most, especially in light-colored shoes, since these parts are in direct and constant contact with the ground. To clean them and leave them looking like new, all you need is an old brush and some gel-free whitening toothpaste.
To begin, scrub with the brush to remove any surface dirt embedded in the sole of the shoe. Next, use toothpaste (without gel so it does its job better).
Rub toothpaste all over the sole and let it dry for half an hour. After that, rinse the sole, removing all the hard remains of the compound, thus preventing other parts of the shoes that are more sensitive to water from getting wet.
