Washing white sneakers: the easiest DIY methods to make them look like new again
Who doesn't have at least one pair of white sneakers in their closet? Extremely versatile, white sneakers are also the ones that get dirty most easily. Since we probably use them often, it is normal for us to want to keep them clean at all times. But how can we do this?
Much depends on the material the sneakers are made of: for leather and suede, it is always advisable to use special products and accessories. For synthetic, canvas or cotton sneakers, however, we can also clean them ourselves at home. Read on to find out more:
How to clean dirty, white sneakers
Creativo
Using the washing machine is not the best cleaning method for this task, so if you have some time available, it is best to clean the sneakers by hand.
Start by removing the bulk of the dirt: bang your sneakers together to dislodge any loose dirt and then finish off by brushing the sneakers with a stiff-bristled brush.
Now, "dismantle" the sneakers: take out the laces and also the insoles. Place these items in a basin which is filled with warm water, some laundry detergent (or Marseille soap) and a glass of hydrogen peroxide.
At this point, you need to take care of the sneakers themselves. If you have active oxygen-based laundry whitening detergents, these are the most suitable. Soak the sneakers in hot water into which you have put some of this detergent, leave them to soak for at least half an hour. After this time, use a brush to carefully scrub each dirty spot you can see.
If the sneakers are made of a non-delicate material, then you can also dilute a drop of bleach in a bowl of hot water and use a brush, dipped in this solution, to delicately scrub dirty areas.
Once done, rinse thoroughly, and allow the sneakers to air dry. Do the same for the laces and insoles.
Sneakers washed in the washing machine: precautions to take
Before putting your sneakers in the washing machine, make sure you can wash this way by checking the washing instructions on the labels or their packaging. In any case, to ensure the best results, it is always advisable to put the sneakers in special mesh laundry bags first.
The program selectd must be for delicate items, and again, we recommend detergents with active oxygen or delicate bleach ingredients.
For white soles
If the soles of the sneakers are still not clean after washing, you have various alternatives available:
- Use a magic eraser. Just wet this and then rub it on the rubber of the soles, and it should remove the dirt.
- White toothpaste, rubbed on with a toothbrush and then a cloth or sponge to wipe off. Rinse and you're done!
- Make a paste with sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide, to be used like toothpaste.
Ready to make your sneakers look new again?