White sneakers are a summer staple; they look great with everything from the most ripped denim shorts to the fanciest prom dresses. While battered and broken sneakers are a look on their own, there’s just something about a perfectly white pair of white sneakers.
Of course, keeping white sneakers white can be a challenge! So we tapped sneaker care expert and Jason Markk founder Jason Angsuvarn to share his tips and tricks for keeping white sneakers – whether leather, canvas or mesh – looking crisp white. all summer.
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First, some general tips for keeping white sneakers white: “Be sure to pre-treat them with Repel before wearing them,” says Angsuvarn. “Stay on top of cleaning them after each use. And finally, keep the laces as clean as possible.
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Although you might not want to hear it, the best sneaker cleaning advice is to just do it. “Regular maintenance will help prolong the life of your shoes,” says Angsuvarn. If the idea of scrubbing your kicks regularly sounds more like a commitment than you’re ready to make, then sneaker wipes are for you.
How to Clean White Leather Sneakers
Before cleaning the sneakers, remove the laces, which trap dirt and grime on the tongue and around the eye holes; removing the laces makes it easier to clean the entire shoe.
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Cleaning white leather sneakers is pretty simple, according to Angsuvarn, “Use a soft bristle brush with our RTU Foam Cleaner to keep leather clean and conditioned.”
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If after cleaning there are nicks or whisker lines marring the look of your white sneakers, a shoe whitener or white shoe polish will fill in those imperfections.
How to Clean White Canvas Sneakers
Cleaning white canvas sneakers is similar to the process of cleaning leather sneakers, but there are a few differences in approach.
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“First, always dry brush the entire upper of the shoes with a soft bristle brush,” says Angsuvarn, who will loosen dirt from the canvas fabric.
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“Next, use the same brush with our deep cleaning solution and a bit of water to work the upper of the shoe, creating a frothy lather,” says Angsuvarn. “Depending on the shoe, you may be able to rinse the upper under running water. Use a few microfiber towels to soak up as much liquid from the canvas. Then just let it air dry.
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Magic Erasers are excellent for removing dirt and scuff marks from sneaker midsoles, and can help keep white canvas sneakers cleaner between washes. To use, wet the eraser, squeeze out the excess water, then rub it over the soiled area as you would a pencil eraser.
How to clean white mesh sneakers
Cleaning white mesh sneakers, Angsuvarn says, is “a very similar process to cleaning canvas,” but there’s an extra step to take to ensure the best results.
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Angsuvarn says to follow the steps for cleaning canvas sneakers, “except you’re going to insert a microfiber towel into the shoe and apply light upward pressure as you scrub. This is going to help the dirt work its way out. of the material.
Like canvas sneakers, most mesh sneakers can be rinsed under cold running water, gently wrung out with a towel, and allowed to air dry. Flipping the tongue over the toe box of the shoe will allow air to circulate, speeding up drying time.