White tennis shoes are clean and classic—the first time you wear them. As time goes by, they get a little tacky, not to mention stinky, but there's no need to toss them out and head to the mall. Washing tennis shoes is a simple and inexpensive way to spruce them up. Cleaning white sneakers might seem daunting, but many materials, such leather, can simply be wiped down. How you clean tennis shoes depends on what they are made of, but almost all materials can be cleaned at home.
Step 1
Remove the shoe laces and inserts or sock liners if there are any. Set them aside, or discard them if they are going to be replaced. Hand wash them in warm water and a little laundry detergent if you intend to reuse them.
Step 2
Use a soft brush, like an old toothbrush or baby brush, to remove any visible dust and dirt. Do the tops and sides of the tennis shoes first, and then the soles.
Step 3
Pry any caked-in mud, dirt or other debris from the soles with an old butter knife or chopstick. Dig the stuff out away from your body so that you don’t stab yourself if your cleaning tool slips.
Step 4
Fill a bucket or basin with warm water. Add a healthy splash of laundry detergent and about half that amount of oxygen bleach. If you have a washing machine, fill it with warm water, and use one capful of detergent and half-cap of oxygen bleach. Put old white towels in the washer to cushion the shoes as they slosh around.
Step 5
Let tennis shoes soak in the bucket or basin for at least an hour, or run them through one cycle if you are using the machine. If using a bucket, rinse the shoes thoroughly with warm or cool water.
Step 6
Apply a little bit of oxygen bleach cleanser to a cotton swab, and use it to clean off any spots or stains the initial washing missed. Wipe the spot down with a clean, damp shop cloth once the stain is out.
Step 7
Reshape the shoes' uppers, and stuff them loosely with clean shop cloths. These are a little thicker and less expensive than paper towels and will help the insides of your tennis shoes dry.
Step 8
Set your clean, white tennis shoes outside in the sunshine if the weather permits. If you have to dry them indoors, set them in a sunny spot or in front of a fan or air vent.
Tips and Warnings
- Wash your tennis shoes once a month or so to keep them fresh.
- Never put tennis shoes in the dryer, as this can shrink the fabric, crack the leather or melt the rubber soles.
Things You'll Need
- Soft brush
- Butter knife or chopstick
- Bucket or basin
- Warm water
- Laundry detergent
- Oxygen bleach cleanser
- Old white towels
- Cotton swabs
- Clean shop cloths
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