Co-authored by:
Shirley Jones Luke
Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
2025
how to protect white shoes
Published: Mar 24, 2025
Article summary
- Use a white shoe care spray every few weeks.
- Always wash white shoes by hand, avoiding the washing machine.
- To dry your shoes quickly, let them air dry, avoiding direct sunlight or a dryer.
- On rainy days, choose other shoes instead of white ones.
- Sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes to remove odors.
- To keep your shoes looking like new, use a wooden shoe tree.
- Use shoe polish to maintain the appearance of your shoes.
- Store your white shoes in a shoe box or wardrobe.
Use shoe protector spray
1 Choose a stain repellent. Make sure the repellent is compatible with the type of shoe you have. Shake the bottle before use, then spray a thin, even layer over the entire shoe. If applicable, spray the soles and laces as well. If your shoes are made of leather or suede, buy a leather stain repellent. However, if your shoes are made of canvas or mesh, most types of stain repellents will work.
2 Apply a water repellent to protect your shoes. Once the stain repellent has completely dried, use a water repellent to further protect your shoes. Shake the bottle, then spray the entire shoe in a thin, even layer. Make sure the shoes are completely dry before wearing them.
- best shoe protector sprays for white shoes are both water and stain-repellent, so you can skip this step.
3 Repeat this process every few days. Good protectant sprays usually last for a few weeks. Reapply the repellent regularly to keep your shoes stain-free, following the directions on the spray bottle you purchased.
How to wash your White shoes
1 Avoid using a washing machine or dryer. Many of us throw our shoes in the washing machine for a quick clean. You shouldn’t do this because the heat and movement of the machine can break down the shoe material and shorten its lifespan. You also shouldn’t try to dry your shoes in a dryer, as this can cause them to lose their shape.
If necessary, hang your shoes by the laces in the door of the machine and clean them in the machine.
2 Mix dish soap and water and scrub with a toothbrush. Mix 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dish soap and 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water in a bowl. Dip a cloth or toothbrush in the solution and rub the shoes in a circular motion. Focus on the stains, applying light pressure. To remove dirt from the soles of your shoes, rub a Magic Eraser soaked in soapy water back and forth.
- When you’re sure they’re clean, use a microfiber cloth to remove any soap and water residue from the shoes. Let the shoe air dry completely.
- You can use 1/2 cup (120 mL) of white vinegar instead of dish soap.
Tip: If you need to clean your shoelaces, wash them separately.
Keeping your shoes in good shape
You already know how to protect white shoes to protect them. Now let’s learn four easy tips on how to keep them looking new.
1 Avoid wearing white shoes on rainy or snowy days. If you know it will rain or snow, choose black shoes that do not get dirty easily. When white shoes get wet, dirt and salt can quickly turn them from white to dirty. Even if black shoes get dirty, it is not as noticeable, so you can avoid the hassle of frequent washing.
2 Use baking soda to absorb the odor from white shoes. Shoes get wet from water or foot sweat, and prolonged moisture causes odor-causing bacteria to grow inside them. Over time, this can make your shoes smell unpleasant. Deodorize your white shoes by sprinkling baking soda inside them. Baking soda will absorb moisture and odor. Leave the shoes like this overnight and discard the baking soda before wearing them.
3 Use wooden shoe trees to maintain the shape of your shoes. After wearing them for a few days, the material starts to soften and break down. Shoe trees help keep them in shape for a long time, and cedar wood shoe trees, in particular, help keep them odor-free by absorbing moisture. Maintaining proper tension prevents leather shoes from cracking. Regular use of shoe trees will help protect your white shoes.
- Shoe trees are easy to use. Choose a wooden shoe tree and use it.
4 Keep your shoes out of direct sunlight. Too much sun can damage the material of your shoes, causing the glue to weaken, the shoes to wrinkle, or their shape to distort. When you’re not wearing them, store them in a shady spot.
5 Polish your white leather shoes regularly to keep them looking new. Polish helps maintain a fresh look. After cleaning your shoes, apply white shoe polish. To do this, put a small amount of polish on a cloth or a good shoe brush, then buff the shoes in small, circular motions.
Try using a little rubbing alcohol on patent leather shoes. Dip a clean cloth in the rubbing alcohol, then use it to rub the stains off the shoes. When you’re done, wipe off the excess rubbing alcohol with a dry cloth.
Use an emery board to remove stains from suede shoes. Don’t panic if you see small stains on your white suede shoes! Just take an emery board (also called a nail file) and gently rub over the stain. Keep rubbing until the stain is removed.
Use a suede cleaner to clean suede shoes. You can also clean them without suede cleaner.
Clean with a mixture of dish soap and water. Rain boots or rubber flip-flops that are covered in mud or dirt are easy to restore. Mix water and a little dish soap in a bowl, then dip a rag into the mixture. Wipe the rubber shoes with the rag, then rinse the shoes with clean water.
You can also clean your shoes with a toothbrush.
Things You’ll Need
References
2. How to Clean White Leather Shoes – Fashionista
3. How to Clean White Leather Shoes – Fashionista
4. How to Clean White Sneakers – Who What Wear
5. How to Clean White Sneakers – Who What Wear
6. How to Clean Shoes – Good Housekeeping
7. How to Clean Shoes – Good Housekeeping
8. Penny Simmons, Shoe Care Specialist – Expert Interview (Nov 19, 2020)
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About This Article
Co-authored by:
Shirley Jones Luke
Shoe Care Specialist and writer
Co-authors: 7
Updated: March 24, 2025