How to Clean White Sneakers and Keep Them Looking Fresh: Leather, Canvas, Suede, and More

With the colder months upon us, it’s time to make sure we clean our white sneakers and rid them of everything they’ve been through during the summer. While brands like Golden Goose have earned a huge following by selling shoes that look worn and worn, anyone who truly loves sneakers knows that they should be kept looking like they just came out of the box for as long as possible.

White sneakers look cool with any outfit, but they can also be a hassle to keep clean. Every speck of grass or dirt stain is easily visible on white fabric, and keeping them clean is no easy feat—especially if you want to avoid soaking your sneakers in harmful chemicals. And the way you treat your sneakers also depends entirely on what they’re made of.

Read the step-by-step guide below to learn how to keep your white sneakers clean and extend their life in your wardrobe.

How to Clean White Sneakers

To keep your white sneakers looking fresh the organic way, follow the steps outlined below. Keep in mind that the process varies depending on whether you have leather, canvas, or suede sneakers.

How to Clean White Leather Sneakers Organically

Step 1: Mix two teaspoons of organic pure castile soap with 1/4 cup of water. You can buy a 16-ounce bottle of Castile soap at Target for about $10.

Step 2: Dip a (clean) toothbrush into the soapy-water mixture.

Step 3: Use the toothbrush to gently and thoroughly scrub the white leather portion of the shoe. Dip the toothbrush into the mixture as many times as you like—you may need to do this often. Be careful not to scrub the laces or other delicate fabrics.

Step 4: Clean the hardware, plastic, and rubber parts of the sneakers as needed.

Step 5: Wipe the white sneakers with a clean towel, and you’re done.

How to Clean White Mesh Sneakers

Sneaker styles are a popular shoe for spring and summer—especially white sneakers with mesh uppers, which are breathable and lightweight. However, whether you’re wearing them for exercise or fashion, the texture of knit shoes tends to attract dirt and get dirty quickly. Below, we’ve outlined how to clean white sneakers with mesh uppers from brands like Adidas, APL, or Allbirds.

Fill a bucket with hot water.

Dip a cloth in water and use the damp cloth to wipe away dirt from the rubber soles and outsoles of your sneakers.

Place 1-2 scoops of OxiClean powdered detergent in the water.

Place both shoes completely in the bucket.

Place a heavy object, such as a large heavy rack or bowl, on top of the bucket and let the shoes soak for 4-6 hours, or 8-12 hours if they are dirtier.

Place the sneakers in the washing machine and use a "heavy" or "normal" wash cycle in cold water.

Remove the mesh sneakers from the washing machine and let them air dry.

You can also watch this process on YouTube—as seen by creator Faith Mancuso, who estimates she's washed her white Adidas sneakers at least 50 times.

How to Clean White Canvas Sneakers

Canvas sneakers are another popular style choice because of their lightweight material and casual nature. As seen from brands like Converse, Cariuma, and Superga, the monochromatic styles often feature lace-up or slip-on uppers with flat rubber soles. However, these also require care to prevent the fabric from staining – which we’ll outline below.

Step 1: Unlace and remove your sneakers.

Step 2: Tap the soles together to remove any large pieces of dirt from the crevices.

Step 3: Use a dry comb or toothbrush to scrub loose dirt off the canvas uppers, tongues, and soles of your shoes.

Step 4: Mix two tablespoons of vinegar with one tablespoon of baking soda, then dilute the mixture with one cup of worm water.

Step 5: Dip a towel or toothbrush into the baking soda-vinegar paste, then use it to scrub the shoes in small, circular motions.

Step 6: Once the mixture has dried, brush it off the uppers and allow to air dry.