As all sneakerheads will know, keeping your kicks clean is all part of the fun if you’re a collector. It basically goes without saying that if you're going to wear them out and about (which you absolutely should), they’re going to pick up a bit of dirt over time. This is absolutely fine, but to keep them looking fresh as ever we recommend cleaning them regularly to avoid the dirt building up over time, which could end up being tricky to clean.
Lets admit it. We've all got that one pair of used-to-be-white trainers lurking at the back of our hall cupboard. It's probably likely you have a certain affinity to this pair of sneakers, meaning you can't bring yourself to get rid of them completely. Especially when there's not actually anything specifically wrong with them; they're just looking a bit worse for wear.
Believe it or not, most dirty trainers are salvageable, no matter how bad the damage or what the material. As long as you’ve got the right product and techniques, you can clean your trainers and give them another life. With a little bit of elbow grease even the dirtiest of pairs can be made totally wearable again! But how do you clean white trainers when they're covered in dirt or stains?
What You'll Need The first steps you’ll need to take when looking to clean a dirty pair of shoes is to find the right equipment. Whether you're looking to clean suede, leather or canvas, the right equipment can help you tackle anything. While many online guides will tell you to blag it with standard household items, we’d advise against this for more premium materials, as using the incorrect products can result in permanent damage to your sneakers, which is the last thing you’d want. There are plenty of brands that make dedicated sneaker cleaning kits, so our first piece of advice would be to head for one of these. Failing that, individual items can also be purchased if you don’t need the whole kit. Brands like Jason Markk, Reshoevn8r, Crep Protect and SneakersER are all industry standards, so choosing a big name like this is the smart decision.
To start off cleaning trainers, you’ll need some of the following items:
Specialised Cleaning Solution Soft or Medium Bristled Cleaning Brush Towel Suede Eraser Suede Brush Shoe Trees
How to Clean Suede Trainers Lets kick things off with the hardest to clean, suede trainers. Suede trainers are notoriously stubborn when it comes to retaining dirty marks and are also a lot more difficult to clean than other materials we will look at such as canvas or leather. It’s highly likely that you’re going to need a dedicated suede brush here and you’re also going to want to avoid getting the sneakers too wet, as it will damage the suede. It’s also extremely important to not brush the uppers too hard when cleaning them, as this could remove some of the fibres of the fabric, leaving the finish inconsistent
You want to start by gently removing any dirt from the surface of the shoe with a soft bristle brush. If there is a mark on the suede, a great tool to try and use is a suede eraser. With this tool, gently rub and pull away with the eraser as if you were dabbing a stain.
If that does not work, go for a slightly tougher brush to remove stubborn marks. Use the brush and run it backwards and forwards through the patches of dirt, simply repeat this process until you start to see results. When you are finished, make sure you brush the suede all back in one direction to keep the nap of the suede looking fresh.
First up, you're going to want to remove your shoelaces. We'll get into how to clean these later in the article. After you take the laces off, start gently brushing away the dirt from the surface of the shoe with a soft bristle brush. If there is a particular stubborn mark on the suede, a great tool to use is a suede rubber. This should be used in the same way as a pencil eraser except make sure to pull away as you use it, as if you are trying to lift the dirt out of the shoe. If that doesn't work on the marks, you can use a specialist suede cleaning solution and your soft brush to remove very stubborn marks. Be extra careful though, as you don't want to get your suede too wet as this can damage the material. Once you are finished removing the marks, get your suede brush and brush the material so the nap goes in one direction. This will preserve the shoe and make sure the suede lasts as long as possible.
How to Clean Fabric and Canvas Trainers Next up, lets talk cleaning fabric and canvas trainers. These are a little easier than cleaning suede as you can afford to be a little tougher on the material and work it a little harder. Put in the work and you will reap the benefits of a good cleaning session.
Again, start out by removing the shoelaces and brushing dirt from the surface of the shoe. Any leftover dirt is likely embedded in the fabric, so this is where your cleaning solution comes in. Dip your brush in the solution and then brush the stain in a circular motion to create a lather. You can be tougher on canvas as it is a more hard-wearing material. Use the same process to clean the midsole of your shoes. Once you have cleaned the upper or midsole, you will want to wipe them with your clean towel. If there are still any marks or dirt left, repeat the steps above. Once you're happy, leave your shoes to dry naturally in a warm place.
DIY Tips If you don't have dedicated shoe cleaning products, there are a couple other ways to clean your shoes at home. But be warned, these won't work as well as professional products.
Baking Soda - This can work great on white fabric trainers. Mix a small amount of hot water, white vinegar and baking soda to create a paste and then apply this to the canvas parts of the shoe.
How to Clean Leather Trainers The last material on our list is leather. If you’ve managed to get your leather trainers dirty then you may want to count your lucky stars as it could be a blessing in disguise - leather shoes are quite simply the easiest to clean! Give them the once over with some wet wipes and you should be able to get the majority of the dirt off straight away, it really is that easy.
The first thing to do with dirty white leather trainers is to give them a quick wipe with a wipe or damp cloth and then dry them with your towel. This should immediately remove most of the dirt on the shoes and leave them looking fresh. If that hasn't quite done the trick, get your brush and cleaning solution and work some magic across the upper and midsoles.
DIY Tips Because leather shoes are so easy to clean, there are a couple DIY methods you can use which can work really well.
Toothpaste - It has long been suggested on forums to use toothpaste to clean white leather trainers such as Air Force 1s or Stan Smiths. You apply a small amount of white toothpaste onto your brush and then apply it in circular motions. Once you have done this throughout the shoe, you should then wipe with a clean cloth and allow to dry.
Frequently Asked Questions If this guide hasn't answered all your questions, don't worry. We've rounded up the webs most asked questions to make sure you can clean your shoes quickly and easily.
Can I Wash Trainers In The Washing Machine? Usually the best way to tell if your trainers can be cleaned in the washing machine is to check the material. We prefer to only wash materials such as canvas or cotton in the washing machine. You can put leather sneakers such as Air Force 1s in the washing machine however it is not recommended and can be cleaned just as effectively with soap and water. You should never put delicate materials such as suede or nubuck in the washing machine as this can cause permanent damage.
What setting should you put the washer on for cleaning trainers? We would recommend that you wash your trains on a cold wash, with all the usual cleaning products you'd use for your clothes. This will also stop the colour running from trainers. It might be worth sticking an old towel in with them to soften the cycle.
Will it damage the trainers? Be sure to check the care instructions on the trainers, as each retailer differs, but most trainers these days are tough enough and made well enough to withstand the washing machine drum. As mentioned, it is most important to check the material of your trainers before putting them in the washing machine.
Can You Put Trainers In The Tumble Dryer? Always avoid putting your trainers in the tumble dryer as this can change the shape of the shoes and they won't fit as well any more. Radiators are also a no-go.
It is recommended that you should air dry your trainers after they've been in the wash outdoors. However, make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight as the colours could fade. Warm and dry with a good airflow is ideal, like in an airing cupboard or near a fan. You can stuff the shoes with newspaper to speed up the process. The newspaper will soak up the excess water and help the shoes keep their shape; just remember to change the paper as it gets damp.
How Can I Clean White Shoelaces? The laces are often the first part of a pair of trainers to get dirty, so even just cleaning those could get your steppers looking fresher than ever in no time.
If you’ve got your shoelaces dirty too then don’t stress, as this is an easily resolved issue. Simply remove the laces from your shoes and stick them in the washing machine (with other white washing only), it’s likely they’ll come out looking brand-new again. If for some reasons the stains persist, you can pick up a fresh pair of laces for cheap at plenty of retailers across the internet, so a replacement might be the easy way out.
How Often Should You Wash Trainers? Whenever you please! Try not to do it too often, however. It's probably a good habit to keep on top of dirt as it builds up and hand wash frequently with soapy water, rather than leaving it until it gets really mucky.
If you wear a pair of shoes quite often, it might be worth washing them every couple of months.
