Among all the trends that are taking over the fashion world, there is one that has definitely found its way to our hearts, as well as to the wardrobe of each and every woman on-the-go – the WHITE sneaks.
These sporty and versatile shoes have succeeded in invading most of the looks that were seen in the streets of every major fashion city. From Paris and Milano to New York and London, fashionistas have made white sneakers an essential element of their look, especially during fashion weeks when it’s all about running from a show to another.
Whether worn with a skirt, a dress, pants or shorts, these shoes never fail to lift up your style and pack a statement. However, one problem makes them hard to deal with: how to keep them white? White shoes always tend to look dirtier than darker colors. So here are some simple tips to keep them shiny and clean.
1 – If your shoes were brand new, spray them with a stain or water repellent to protect the fabric and repeat almost every few weeks.
2 – Small stains appear every time we go out. But don’t worry, magic erasers or a simple piece of fabric with a little bit of vinegar can clean them!
3 – We all tend to put our sneaks in the washing machine, but we might not be aware that even a gentle cycle can be rough. Therefore, hand-cleaning is the best solution to keep them safe.
4 – The washing machine can also ruin the white laces. All you have to do in order to clean them is to hand-wash them with warm water and gentle soap, then let them air-dry.
5 – Oil stains can be nasty as they cannot be removed with ordinary soap. A really gentle shampoo, warm water and a toothbrush or a wipe can do the task.
6 – If your white sneaks are made of leather, remove the stains with a cotton pad and a dab of baby oil in order not to cause any damage to the fabrication.
Note: Trying this on canvas can leave marks.
7 – For the hard-to-reach areas, an old toothbrush can be helpful with some gentle soap.
8 – Worst case scenario, you can use bleach on your white sneakers but you will have to dilute it first. Mix one part of bleach with 5 parts of water to stay on the safe side, as by using more bleach you risk to turn the white color into a weird yellow. After dipping your toothbrush in the solution, scrub your shoes gently and rinse with warm water.
9 – Scratches are so remarkable on white shoes so simply find a white nail polish to cover them.
10 – In order to keep the rubber sole from turning yellow, avoid putting them in the washing machine – which is also harmful for the sneaks in general. Sunlight can also ruin white when it comes to rubber.
11 – After cleaning the shoes, stuff them with paper towels to speed up the drying process. Paper towels will absorb excess moisture and help them dry more rapidly.
12 – While white tends to turn yellow when exposed to the sun, find an indoor cool and dark place to store your white sneaks.
Mirella Haddad
