The Right Way to Clean White Shoes, From Canvas to Leather

White shoes are a versatile accessory for any outfit, and can easily be dressed up or dressed down. But one pitfall of white shoes is how easily they accumulate dirt. Whether it's your go-to pair of white sneakers or leather sandals, they don't hide discoloration well—but that doesn't mean you need to toss them for a new pair. With some everyday cleaning supplies, your white shoes can return to their former glory.

Materials Needed

Here are some cleaning supplies you may need, depending on the type of white shoe you are cleaning and the method you choose.

• Bleach
• Nylon brush
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Shoe conditioner
• Lemon essential oil
• Microfiber cloth(s)
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

How to Clean White Canvas Shoes

Unlike clothes, most shoes don't typically come with care instructions, which makes them more difficult to know how to clean. "Cleaning instructions for canvas shoes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer," says Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox. "If you can't find good information on a company's website, be sure to test a hidden area first with any cleaning products you want to use on your shoes."

1. Remove shoelaces and set them aside to clean later.
2. Brush the shoes to remove loose dirt or soil with a dry nylon brush.
3. Add 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart of water and stir to mix.
4. Working on one shoe at a time, dip the brush in the bleach solution and then gently scrub the canvas in a circular motion.
5. Continue this step until the entire shoe has been treated.
6. Wait one minute, then spray all the treated areas with hydrogen peroxide.
7. Rinse the first shoe completely with clean water.
8. Repeat on the other shoe.
9. Let the shoes air dry overnight.

How to Clean White Leather Shoes

Leather shouldn't be cleaned with any bleach products. Instead, you'll need to make a paste of baking soda and water. "For any stubborn spots that don't want to move, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works wonders," says Melissa Poepping, founder of The Chemical Free Home.

1. Remove shoelaces and set them aside to clean later.
2. Make a paste of baking soda and water.
3. Using a dry nylon brush, work the entire surface of the shoe with the paste.
4. Then use a slightly damp soft cloth to remove the paste.
5. Repeat if necessary until all paste is removed.
6. Let the shoes air dry overnight.
7. Follow up with a shoe conditioner for leather once the shoes are completely dry.

How to Clean White Shoelaces

You have a few options when it comes to cleaning your shoelaces. If they aren't too dirty, put the shoelaces in a mesh laundry bag and machine wash them with a regular bleach load. "I absolutely do not recommend throwing these into the laundry unless you are putting them in a lingerie bag to protect your machine," says Poepping. If your shoelaces are really dirty, hand wash them.

1. Add 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart of water and stir to mix.
2. Submerge laces in the bleach and water solution for five minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
4. Lay flat to air dry.

How to Clean White Rubber Soles

Start by going over the soles of your shoes with a Magic Eraser. If stubborn spots remain, make a solution using bleach and water.

1. Add 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart of water and stir to mix.
2. Working on one shoe at a time, dip the brush in the bleach solution and then gently scrub the rubber soles in a circular motion.
3. Continue this step until the entire sole has been treated.
4. Wait one minute, then spray all the treated areas with hydrogen peroxide.
5. Rinse the sole completely with clean water.
6. Repeat on the other shoe.
7. Wipe soles dry with a microfiber cloth.

How to Clean Stains Off White Shoes

The bleach solution and or baking soda paste should work wonders on your white shoes, but if some grass or dirt stains won't budge try this cleaning method.

1. Combine 2 ounces hydrogen peroxide, 2 ounces water, and 10 drops lemon essential oil in a spray bottle.
2. Place a clean, dry white cloth under the stained area.
3. Spray the stain with the cleaning solution.
4. Dab with a dry, white microfiber cloth from the outside of the stain towards the center.
5. Rinse the stain with clean water.
6. Let the shoes air dry overnight.