How To Clean Vionic Sneakers

How to Clean White Sneakers

When it comes to footwear, there may be no style more practical and versatile than white sneakers. Here at Vionic, our women's slip on sneakers or our men's casual sneakers, both in white, is a staple in our wardrobes. White sneakers have been a mainstay in the world of fashion for decades, they're seasonless, and they go with just about every ensemble—even some business-casual attire. What's not to love?

If there's one setback about white tennis shoes, it's that they can be hard to keep clean. And since a fresh aesthetic is part of the appeal, keeping them crisp is essential. If you've ever slipped into a new pair of trainers and strutted out the door with a boost of confidence only to have a little scuff or streak of mud ruin your day, you know what we're talking about.

But don't let the fear of dirty sneakers stop you from buying them. Luckily, we've got some tricks up our sleeves for keeping your kicks spotless. Read on to learn how to clean or how to wash white tennis shoes .

Cleaning Tips for Different Shoe Materials

As every sneakerhead knows, the proper way to freshen up a white sneaker really depends on the material.¹ The method of cleaning mesh or canvas usually isn't the best technique for suede and leather, so make sure you know what you're working with. Here's how to clean white shoes of different materials.

How to Clean White Canvas Sneakers

Canvas is a notably strong cotton fabric with a plain weave. You've probably heard of folks throwing their canvas sneakers in the washer—and maybe you've even tried it yourself. However, cleaning cloth shoes in a washing machine is generally not recommended because it can shrink the fabric.

To clean white sneakers with canvas uppers:

In a large bowl or plastic bucket, mix together one part mild dish soap with three parts warm water.
Take a clean cloth and dip it into the soapy solution.
Rub the damp cloth all around the canvas suppers, paying extra attention to stains, spots, and discoloration.
Redip the cloth into the soapy water as needed, and keep rubbing it over your shoes until all marks have disappeared.
Finish by running a damp (but not soapy) soft cloth over the uppers.
Allow your shoes to air-dry.

Since durable canvas resists pilling and fraying, you can also use a clean old toothbrush to address tougher stains on your canvas tennis shoe if needed. Cleaning your white canvas shoes properly ensures they stay looking clean and new.

How to Clean White Mesh Shoes

Mesh is another type of tennis shoe fabric, but unlike canvas, it's a synthetic material. The breathable cloth is often used for cross-trainers, running shoes , and other active styles . It's typically combined with nylon, neoprene, and other moisture-wicking materials.

Mesh is a knit-style fabric. This makes it breathable, but it also means it's porous, so you can expect mud, dirt, and spilled liquids to seep into the uppers.² While mesh sneakers can be more prone to marks and stains, it's not that hard to keep them on point.

To clean white mesh shoes:

Fill a plastic bin or large bowl with warm water and add a few drops of laundry detergent.
Dip a microfiber towel or clean dishcloth into the soapy mixture.
Gently scrub the cloth all around the uppers of your mesh sneakers in circular motions.
Keep dipping the cloth into the solution as needed, and continue rubbing your shoes in circular motions, focusing on stains.
When your shoes appear clean, go over them once more with a clean damp (but not soapy) cloth, making sure to wipe away all soapy residue.
Let your mesh shoes air-dry.

As with canvas shoes, if debris or dried mud is stuck in the weave, try working a soft toothbrush into the material to lift it out.

How to Clean White Sneakers Made of Leather

Leather sneakers are comfy and stylish. Patent and full-grain materials are slightly stain-resistant, even without being treated, and they can typically be wiped off with a damp cloth to freshen them up. In some cases, however, you'll need to put in a little more elbow grease to clean a leather shoe.

To clean white leather sneakers:

Create a sneaker cleaning solution in a large bowl using three parts lukewarm water and one part dish soap.
Take a clean cloth and dip it into the solution, then ring it out slightly so it's not too soaked.
Gently rub the cloth around your leather uppers, focusing on stains and discoloration.
Once the stains have lifted, wipe away the soapy residue with a clean, damp cloth.

If you're unable to remove all spots with warm soapy water, you might need to use a leather conditioner like Vionic's Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. It's formulated to lift dirt and stains from leather shoes while conditioning the material and evening out the tone with natural oils.

To clean white leather tennis shoes with a leather conditioner:

Start by giving the bottle a thorough shake.
Before applying it to your entire uppers, test a small, discreet area to check for colorfastness and ensure it won't discolor the material.
Dispense a small amount of the solution onto a clean, slightly damp cloth.
Using the cloth, work the conditioner into the material, gently rubbing it all around the uppers in circular motions until they're evenly coated.
Remove any excess cleaner and moisture with a clean, dry cloth.
Let your leather shoes air-dry in indirect sunlight.

To keep white leather sneakers as fresh as possible, the best thing you can do is wipe them down daily (or after every time you wear them) with a clean cloth. This will help preserve the grain and prevent little scratches and abrasions.³

How to Clean White Suede Sneakers

Suede sneakers are undeniably cool, especially those with clean white uppers. If your athletic trainers or fashion tennies are made of suede or nubuck, you'll want to be mindful about preventing stains. The soft, velvety material is prone to water damage and discoloration and can be tricky to clean.
However, it's not impossible, as long as you have the right supplies and know what you're doing. Vionic's Shoe Care Kit for leather and suede footwear has everything you need. It comes with the Leather Cleaner & Conditioner we mentioned above, plus a nylon bristle brush, a bottle of Rain & Stain protector spray, and our Footbed Cleaner.

To clean white suede shoes:

Gently rub the bristle brush all over the uppers of your shoes, focusing on stains, muck, and discoloration.
If dry-brushing without any cleaning solution doesn't lift all the spots, try using the Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. Start with a very small amount—no more than a few drops—and gently brush it into the uppers. Add more of the solution as needed to cover the entire material.
Wipe away excess moisture and residue with a dry cloth.
Let your shoes air-dry in a cool place.

To protect your suede shoes and sneakers from future stains, apply Rain & Stain. It creates a breathable repellent barrier that safeguards your shoes from liquids, grime, and weather damage. And our Footbed Cleaner keeps your kicks fresh from the inside by eliminating stains from the inserts.

How to Clean the Soles and Laces of White Sneakers

The rubber soles of sneakers can usually be cleaned with baking soda, mild detergent, whitening toothpaste, or micellar water. Use a clean cloth or a soft toothbrush to work your cleaning solution of choice into the rubber until it's spotless. Foam cleaning pads, like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, can also work very well on outsoles.
While we don't recommend washing your trainers in a washing machine, the laces are fair game.⁴ You should be able to toss them in with a regular load of laundry without any issues.

The Best Stylish Sneakers with Arch Support

Whether you're using a sneaker cleaner or an at-home solution with a paper towel or an old toothbrush , taking care of your white shoes means you get the most wear out of them. And Now that you know how to wash white sneakers—by hand, that is—you can rock this classic streetwear style with all the confidence in the world. Here at Vionic, we believe there's no such thing as too many white tennis shoes. If you want to add a few more pairs to your arsenal, or you want to know what to wear with white sneakers , we encourage you to check out our collections and blog!g!

Browse white shoes and sneakers with orthotic arch support from Vionic today!

External sources:

1. Ariel Klein. "How to Clean White Shoes—Whether They're Canvas, Leather, or Suede". Real Simple. Updated May 20, 2020, https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing-care/how-to-clean-white-shoes
2. Isadora Baum. "Here's How to Clean Sneakers Depending on the Material". Self. Feb 17, 2019, https://www.self.com/story/how-to-clean-sneakers-depending-on-material
3. Cody Gohl. "How to Clean Sneakers and Keep Your Feet Lookin' Fresh". The Manual. Aug13, 2021, https://www.themanual.com/fashion/how-to-clean-sneakers/
4. "Now is the perfect time to clean your sneaker collection ". Higsnobiety. https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/how-to-clean-your-sneakers-guide/