OT - Cleaning white tennis shoes
I bought a pair of Nike Air Agitate+ back in the fall and have worn them occasionally since. However, they are super white and any dirt/smudging is very easily seen, and now I'd like to clean them up a bit as we get closer to spring. But, I don't want to ruin them by using a product (bleach for example) that ends up discoloring the shoes.
So, does anyone have experience cleaning white tennis shoes with success? I was thinking maybe Tide To-Go or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but I wanted to get some input before I potentially ruined my shoes.
Thanks.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:51 PM ^
Has a shoe cleaner that's awesome. I can't remember the name exactly but it comes in an orange pump container. It comes out as a foam and you only need a little bit over the dirty areas. Pump on the foam and scrub with a rag and it gets quite a bit of dirt off without leaving your shoes wet afterwards.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:56 PM ^
You shouldn't be wearing white shoes after labor day anyway. Serves you right that they got dirty.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:35 PM ^
What credentials do you have? Poo is the ultimate White Shoe Nemesis!
February 19th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
everyday after labor day technically?
February 19th, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
water or stain repellent
February 19th, 2010 at 3:36 PM ^
Honestly just throw them in the washing machine with normal detergent it works wonders with all athletic shoes.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:43 PM ^
All you need is a toothbrush, some hot water, and bleach. Its worked for me since my first pair of whites. Oh and always have an extra pair of white laces as well, it really makes a huge difference to change your laces whenever they get dirty.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:47 PM ^
BOOM! WHITES WHITER AND BRIGHTS BRIGHTER'D!
February 19th, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^
Thanks, guys.
I might try that foam cleaner, someone else mentioned that could work, too. Definitely going to get another pair of laces, too.
February 19th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
I used to use warm water, dish soap and toothbrush until I met my wife. She is a nurse and owns about umpteen million pairs of tennis shoes and she just throws them in the washer with a little bleach, and it works pretty good. I have two white pairs shoes; Nike Cortezes and K-Swiss that I've owned for a year and a half and they still look pretty damned good.
February 19th, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^
Milk. My sister owns all-white skate shoes and swears by it.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
I used Ivory liquid dish soap and a toothbrush and it works really well. That was back in the day though so they probably have better methods now.
February 20th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
Once you get them clean you might consider treating them with a clear silicone sealer to resist staining and make them easier to clean in the future. An ounce of prevention...
February 20th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
On a side note, what is your preferred terminology for that type of shoe? I used to say "tennis shoes," but at some point I switched to "gym shoes" and I've found myself saying "sneakers" sometimes, which I never said when I was a kid.
February 20th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
For me the have always been sneakers, except for a period in high school where they were "Cons", for the ubiquitous Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star, which pretty much everyone wore on a hardcourt in the day. High-tops preferred.
February 20th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^
I got that finish line foam cleaner too, it works wonders. The best shoe cleaner I have ever purchased. Highly recommend it.