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How to clean white basketball shoes


How to Clean Your Shoes in 6 Easy Steps. Nike.com

How to Clean Your Shoes in 6 Easy Steps. Nike.com
Product Care

Periodic cleanings will keep your shoes looking (and smelling) their best. Here’s how to clean your shoes without damaging them.

Last updated: October 4, 2022

5 min read

Time Required

30 min

Estimated Cost

$20

Supplies
  • Dish Soap
  • Baking Soda
  • Magic Eraser (Optional)
  • Leather Conditioner (Optional)
  • White Vinegar (Optional)
Tools
  • Shoe Brush
  • Toothbrush
  • Soft Clean Cloth
  • Suede Brush (Optional)

It’s tough to keep your shoes pristine without cleaning them regularly. The minute those new sneakers come out of the box, you’ll want to wear them outside — where they’ll pick up dirt, mud, scuffs, and stains.

To ensure peak performance of your sneakers over time, we recommend proper care and maintenance, including cleaning. Before you get started, place your shoes in a shoe tree or fill them with crumpled newspapers to help retain their shape during cleaning. Then, get to work.

These tips will help you keep any sneakers and running shoes fresh and clean in just a few easy steps.

How to Clean Your Shoes Step by Step

  1. 1.Use a Dry Brush

    Remove loose dirt from the outsole, midsole, and uppers using a dry, soft-bristled shoe brush. No shoe brush? No problem, an old toothbrush works fine.

  2. 2.Make a Mild Cleaning Solution

    Mix warm water with a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap.

    For white and lighter colored shoes, you can also make an effective cleaning paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and water.

  3. 3.Hand Wash the Laces

    Remove the shoelaces and apply a small amount of the mild cleaning solution to them. Massage the laces with your hands, rinse, then dab dry with a soft cloth.

  4. 4.

    Wash the Soles

    Apply the mild solution to a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush or a wash cloth. Clean the outsole and midsole thoroughly, taking your time to clean every part of the soles. Dry with a soft cloth.

    Note: If you need to wash your insoles, remove them first and clean with your solution, making sure to give them time to dry before putting them back into your shoes.

  5. 5.Wash and Blot the Uppers

    Use the mild solution and a soft-bristled brush, toothbrush, or a soft damp cloth to clean the uppers. Take your time and don't scrub too hard.

    When you're satisfied with the look, use a dry microfiber towel or soft cloth to blot and lift as much soapy moisture and dirt as possible. Repeat if necessary. Try to avoid drying by rubbing as it can wear down the shoe fabric or spread any remaining small bits of dirt.

  6. 6.Air Dry

    Air dry your sneakers at room temperature. Always allow your shoes to dry completely before wearing them for your next workout or activity. For most shoes, it should take at least 8 hours to fully dry.

Be sure to brush off loose dirt with a shoe brush or toothbrush before you wash the shoe with a cleaning solution.

Special Considerations for Different Materials

Following these basic cleaning steps will ensure clean sneakers, but certain fabrics and materials may need a little extra TLC. Here’s what you need to know about using cleaner for different types of shoes.

How to Clean Leather Shoes

Leather shoes stain easily, so it’s important to clean them regularly. In addition to using a dry brush and mild dish soap solution, you may want to use a Magic Eraser or leather conditioner to remove stains. Don’t scrub the shoes too hard, or you could damage the leather.

How to Clean Suede Shoes

Suede is notoriously difficult to clean. If you notice water marks, scuff marks, dirt or stains, it’s probably time to give your suede shoes a proper cleaning. Use these recommended tricks and special tools to get the job done. Here’s how.

  • Use a suede brush or towel to wipe away surface debris, working in the same direction as the material rather than going against the grain.
  • Use suede rubber (or a pencil eraser) to rub away any marks on the surface of the shoe.
  • For stubborn stains, use a cloth dipped in white vinegar to scrub the fabric in alternating directions.

How to Clean Knit Shoes

Nike Flyknit shoes provide flexible support where you need it most, but the fabric is delicate and requires care when using cleaner. Create a mild, soapy water solution with soap that doesn’t contain chemicals. Never use bleach or other harsh cleaning products, since they can damage the material. Take a clean cloth and rub the solution in the same direction as the knit.

Shoe Cleaning FAQs

Can I Wash My Shoes in a Washing Machine?

Most shoes should not be put in a washing machine or dryer. The delicate materials may get beat up in the wash cycle, and heat can deform your shoes.

How Do I Clean My Insoles to Reduce Shoe Odor?

From time to time, it may also be necessary to clean your insoles. To do so, remove the insoles and use the same cleaning steps for the outside of your shoes. Be sure to air dry them completely before putting them back in your shoes. If odor persists, you may want to replace the insoles. Replacement insoles are available at most sporting goods and shoe stores.

What if My Shoes Are Still Dirty After Cleaning?

If you’ve followed and repeated the cleaning steps above and your shoes still look dirty, they may have taken too many trips up the court, cuts across the field, or laps around the track. It might be time for a new pair of sneakers.

How Often Should I Clean My Shoes?

Your cleaning schedule depends on how often you wear your shoes and where your feet take you. Aim to clean your shoes every two weeks or whenever they start to look dirty. Regular maintenance reduces cleaning time.

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How to Clean White Basketball Shoes

If you would like to know how to clean your white basketball shoes, then you are in the right place. Are you having difficulties removing dirt and stains from your white basketball shoes or basketball shoes in general? This is a problem that almost every basketball player has at one point in time or another.

We understand how important it is to keep your basketball shoes clean. It is vital that your shoes remain clean, not only from a cleanliness perspective but also for the shoe’s life expectancy. Your shoes will last longer if you are able to keep them at least moderately clean.

There are so many life hacks to do so many different things, so surely there are a few hacks, that can help us keep our basketball shoes pristine.  In our article today, we will review detailed ways in which you can keep your basketball shoes clean, even the white ones.

How Do You Clean Your Basketball Shoes?

There are a variety of ways, and the times that you can clean your basketball shoes. The method chosen to clean your basketball shoes should be dependent on the type of shoe you have, meaning the shoe’s materials and the amount of dirt or stains that you are trying to remove from the shoe.

It would be best if you tried to clean your basketball shoe as often as you can so that it does not require one big wash after extended use. The more you wash your basketball shoe, the more susceptible it becomes to damage.

If you make an effort to clean your basketball shoe at least after every other session, then this will significantly reduce the need for you to wash it. Here are a few ways that you can do light cleanings regularly:

Wipe with Mild Detergent

After you have used your basketball shoe, use a brush, toothpick, or any object that can remove debris from the shoe’s sole. Constant maintenance of the sole of your shoe will prevent it from getting easily punctured and worn down.

You can also try to avoid walking in your basketball shoe outside of the basketball court, and this should reduce the number of things that get stuck underneath. If you just used your basketball shoe and are doing a light cleaning, you can mix a mild detergent solution and use the solution to wipe off the shoe. Gentle detergent solutions are useful for removing dust and light stains from the shoe.

Doing this regularly will prevent you from needing to wash the shoe, at least for a long time. After you have made the water detergent solution, use a cloth or sponge to apply to the shoe and wipe away the dust.

Soap + Brush

Another light way to regularly maintain your shoe is to brush it with a soap solution. If you have tough stains that can’t be removed with a cloth or a sponge, you can use a brush with soft bristles that won’t damage your shoe’s material.

First, make a solution from eco-friendly detergent and then use the soft bristle brush to apply it to the shoe and while doing this and brush any hard to remove stains. After you have done this, your shoe may be soapy, so use a damp cloth to remove the excess soap.

Dry Brush

If your basketball shoe has accumulated some dust that does not need to be washed or wiped, you may not need to use a detergent-based solution. In cases like these were the basketball shoe only has dust on it, you can use a dry soft bristle brush to remove the dust.

If you have a white basketball shoe, it may be best if you use a damp cloth instead of a dry brush to avoid the shoe getting discolored. If you try to remove the dust with a soft bristle brush and there is still dust residue on the shoe, you can try to use the vacuum to remove them.

Now that we have covered the light ways to clean your basketball shoe let’s look at the more extensive cleaning method. Sometimes you don’t have the opportunity to regularly clean your basketball shoe, and dirt accumulates over time. This method will help you to get rid of the unwanted dirt.

Wash

Washing of the shoe can take various forms. The extent of the dirt or stain on the shoe should determine what type of wash you go for. When washing your shoe, regardless of the color, try not to use bleach or strong non-eco-friendly detergents.

Using these products on your shoe, even once, can significantly reduce the lifespan of the shoe as they weaken the materials. To wash your shoe, create a solution of water and mild soap. Remember to remove the laces and insoles from the shoe before washing it. Doing this will allow you to reach all areas of the shoe easily.

The same solution that you created with the detergent should be used to wash the laces and the insoles. You can wash the laces and use a soft brush to brush the insoles with the solution. If your insoles are sweaty and smelly, you can soak them in the solution before you start washing your shoe and then after you finished washing the shoe, you can then wash the insoles.

To wash your basketball shoe, make sure you only apply just enough water to clean the shoe. If it is a case where the shoe is really messy or smelly, and you need to wash everywhere on the shoe, it is perfectly fine to soak the shoe in the water and wash it with the soft brush. Doing this repeatedly may weaken the shoe, so try to clean the shoe regularly, so you do not have to do this thorough wash numerous times.

After you have finished washing your shoe, use a dry cloth to blot away excess water if you only washed the outside. If the inside of your shoe did not get wet, air-dry your shoe in a warm place. If you washed the entire shoe and the inside is also wet, you should put the shoe in sunlight until it is dry.

There is nothing wrong with drying the shoe in the sun, just as long as you don’t do it too often. If you do not dry the shoe in the sunlight, and it dries slowly, it could end up smelling even worse than before.

Remember to always wear clean socks in your basketball shoes. You can also add shoe deodorant from time to time to minimize the odor coming from the shoe. If you get sweaty feet when you play basketball, try to wear thicker socks or double your socks, so that sweat cannot seep into your basketball shoes. This will significantly reduce the need for you to wash the shoe regularly.

3 Ways to Clean White Basketball Shoes

If you have white basketball shoes, they may be a little more difficult to clean than other colors because White is easily soiled and chose the darts I lost more. There are a few ways that you can maintain your white basketball shoes.

Wipe with toothpaste

Similarly to all other basketball shoes, we highly recommend that you clean the white ones as often as you can to prevent the need for washing. After you have worn your white basketball shoes, you can create a solution with toothpaste, detergent and water to wipe down the shoe.

Wipe the shoe with a piece of cloth or sponge so that it can maintain the white color. If you have a shoe that this primarily made of cloth or has hard to remove stains, you can apply the detergent toothpaste mixture we mentioned using a soft bristle brush. If the stains are difficult to remove, try to increase the ratio of detergent and toothpaste to water so that the solution will be stronger.

Cleaning White Shoes with OxiClean

Another hack to cleaning a white shoe is cleaning white shoes with the OxiClean, a detergent solution. OxiClean is a detergent that uses oxygen to fight hard to remove stains. Add some OxiClean to water and soak your shoe in the mixture.

After you have removed the shoe, use the soft bristle brush to wash it and this should remove almost any stain on your white basketball shoe. This method is not recommended to be used regularly because soaking your shoe a lot will weaken it.

Clean shoes with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Here’s how to clean shoes with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains and restore the white color. You would need to make a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water. The amount of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda you use should depend on the size of the shoe or the area you want to clean.

Usually, you can use anywhere from 1 to 2 tablespoons of each ingredient. The ratio of the mixture should be 1part water to 1part hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts baking soda. The more of the mixture you make, you may have to increase the baking soda to effectively form a paste.

After you’ve combined these ingredients into a paste, use a soft bristle brush to apply the paste to your shoe or the area that you want to clean. Allow the paste to dry and then you can wash it off with a wet sponge. Drying time is usually between 2 to 3 hours.

Remember to air-dry your shoe if the inside isn’t wet and sun dry if the inside is wet. For a faster drying time, use a dry cloth or sponge to blot away the excess water.

Can You Machine Wash White Basketball Shoes?

Technically you can put your shoes in the washing machine to be washed; however, you should not. If you put your shoes in the washing machine, the machine could wash them, but at the same time, it will damage them.

When you put your shoe in the washing machine it may not necessarily get out all the stains. Our advice would be not to use a washing machine to wash your basketball shoes regardless of the color.

Dos and Dont’s of Cleaning White Basketball Shoes

Do not practice washing them with bleach.
Do not practice washing them with a strong detergent.
Do not use the washing machine to wash them.
Do not use a stiff bristle brush.
Do not practice soaking them in water solutions very often.

Do use a mild detergent.
Do light cleans as often as possible.
Do use leather or suede friendly cleaners for suede and leather shoes.
Do use a cloth and soft bristles when possible.
Do air dry for mild cleans but sun dry when intensely washed.

Wrapping Things Up: How to Clean White Basketball Shoes

To clean your white basketball shoes, you should clean them at least every other time you use them with like detergents. If you have tough stains to remove, you can add toothpaste to your detergent solution.

You can use OxiClean or a solution of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda as homemade cleaning agents to remove stains from your white basketball shoes.

Did you find this helpful? Then also check out other basketball FAQ articles here.

> How to Clean a Basketball

> How to Wash a Swingman Basketball Jersey

> How to Wash a Basketball Jersey

> How to Add Grip to Basketball Shoes

How to wash basketball shoes without consequences?

Each of us has different life situations in which we don't know what to do. And if these are certain life decisions on which a lot depends, then you can understand a person. But if this is a domestic issue, then there is already a flaw in the person himself.

For example, if a person does not know how to properly wash shoes, then only he is responsible for the consequences. You must remember and understand how to solve everyday problems. The issue of washing shoes is especially relevant for those who are directly involved in sports. Today we will talk about how to properly wash basketball shoes, how to prepare them for washing, and what to do if you want your shoes to last you as long as possible? This will be discussed in our short but interesting review.

And also note that you can easily buy LeBron basketball shoes at the lowest prices right now. To place an order, just follow the link. There you will find a large selection of quality shoes at an affordable price.

  • In general, first you need to determine whether your specific version of shoes can be washed? In order not to guess, but to know for sure, you need to carefully study the label on the tongue of the sneaker. This label carries information about the possibility of washing, about the temperature regimes of washing, and so on. If you can wash shoes, then the next step should be to prepare the shoes directly for the cleaning process.
  • Initially, check if there are any extra parts and elements in the sneaker. Has a coin rolled into the sneakers, are there any solid particles of debris? In fact, these items can harm not only the sneaker, but also the washing machine, so you need to be as careful as possible in this regard.
  • The second step is to remove the insole and laces. In general, the insole and laces can be washed separately from shoes with a high frequency. If it is not recommended to wash sneakers too often, then with regard to other elements of the shoe, it is not only possible, but even necessary, with laces and insoles. For example, if you wash the insole, this will significantly reduce the possibility of an unpleasant odor. You can wash the insole with ordinary soap or separately with other items in the washing machine. The laces are removable in order to increase the intensity of water penetration into the interior of the sneakers. Washing your sneakers will be much easier and more efficient.
  • The third step is to clean the soles of the shoes from sand and dirt under running water. The less sand in the drum, the better. And it’s better not only for a washing machine, the filters of which can become clogged with sand, but also for shoes, the frame of which can get microdamaged. And this is fraught with a change in the appearance of shoes in a negative direction.
  • Pay attention to the fact that today more and more people are trying to wash sneakers in the machine, but they do not always correctly determine the washing temperature. The ideal washing temperature is 35 degrees Celsius. This temperature will not have a negative effect on the strength of fabric and adhesive joints. Also, washing in this mode will ensure effective cleaning of even the most stubborn stains. One way or another, but we hope that this version of the shoe will provide you with a comfortable and pleasant toe. You also learned that washing sneakers in a typewriter is not so problematic. You just need to follow the recommendations and advice.

We would also like to remind you that you can buy LeBron basketball shoes today. To place an order just click on the link.

See also

How to clean sneakers at home?

June 11, 2019

Cleaning sneakers is not a very difficult task, but only if you know how to do it well: if you do everything right, then after cleaning they will look like they were just bought, and if you do it wrong, you can damage them.

Caring for sneakers

You can find a lot of shoe cleaners in stores, and those that are designed to clean leather shoes, jackets, or car seats can also be used to clean leather sneakers. These shoes are very comfortable for sports or daily jogging.

Today, the choice of sneakers is very wide, a variety of materials, styles, colors are available - you can buy sneakers that stand out with something, however, atypical solutions are sometimes needed to clean them. And the universal sneakers that are used every day are not always so easy to clean, because they wear out, they may have stains that need to be removed. Therefore, further we will analyze simple ways to make your shoes look like new.

How to clean sneakers at home?

External cleaning

Pour water into a plate or other container, add a little detergent or laundry detergent to it, stir. Dip a toothbrush in the resulting solution and rub the sneakers - with the help of a cleaning agent, it will be much easier to remove the dirt. If you come across a particularly difficult stain, you can use undiluted dishwashing detergent or powder instead of a solution - pour it on a brush and rub the stain.

When the entire surface of the shoe has been treated in this way, you need to wipe the sneakers with a damp cloth and remove the remnants of the cleaning agent. Important: try to use less water on the leather parts of the shoes.

Items related to

  • Tarrago Shoe Care Sneakers Sneaker Care Set, CLEAN & PROTECT
  • Tarrago Shoe Whitener, SOLE RESTORER, 125ml.
  • Solemate Basic Kit in tube 1 320 rubles

Sole and toe cleaning

A screwdriver can be used to remove stubborn dirt. To make the sole completely clean, you need to soak it in water and rub it with a brush.

After that, slightly moisten an eraser in water and walk it along the sole - this way you can remove the dirt deeply embedded in it.


Finally, rub the sole with your finger with a damp cloth wrapped around it to set the effect. Then it remains only to carefully wipe it with a clean, damp cloth so that there are no stains left, if they dry out, then it will also not be easy to completely clean them off.

During cleaning, pay special attention to the sock - water should not accumulate there. Also, place paper towels inside your shoes to keep water out.

Cleaning the insole

The main task is to remove the smell, and baking soda is used to solve it. You just need to pour it a little inside the shoes and leave it for a couple of hours, then shake it out and wipe the insole with a clean cloth.

What to do with laces?

Instead of buying new laces, you can often just clean the old ones. To do this, when you wash your bedding, just put them in a pillowcase. It is important to set the mode of the most gentle wash.

Tongue cleaning

It needs to be soaked, then squeezed. To prevent water from getting inside the sneaker, you can wrinkle it with a paper or regular towel. After that, you need to rub it with your fingers or a soft cloth, with powder or dishwashing detergent applied to them. You do not need to use a brush, as the material on the inside of the tongue is delicate and can be damaged. Finally, rinse it to remove the cleaning agent.

How to dry sneakers?

First, squeeze the water out of the tongue - do not press hard on it. After that, put the sneakers in front of the fan on - so they dry quickly under the air flow. But you should not use a hair dryer: because of the hot air, there is a risk of damaging the glue.



Suede sneakers - how to clean them:

General cleaning

For suede, the above method is not suitable; you need to use a special eraser designed specifically for this material. For dirty sneakers or removing stains, you will need a suede brush - its rubber bristles are soft on one side and hard on the other.

You need to remove water stains with water: first fill the sneakers with paper, then spray water on the suede surface and wipe it with a brush. After the surface dries, apply a suede cleaner to it.

Removal of fresh stains

If the stain is just there, use a paper towel to remove the excess, but do not press on the stain itself, much less rub it into the suede. If the stain is dry, wipe it with a wet cloth, then wait until it dries again and use an eraser or a suede brush to remove it.


If the instruction was attached to the sneakers, you should follow it and buy the recommended products. Depending on the manufacturer, the material may have its own characteristics, due to which one agent may be more effective, and another may damage it.

You need to wet the suede carefully, without touching it with water and applying the minimum sufficient amount to get rid of dirt. Always pick up any remaining moisture and cleaning agent with a damp cloth. And, of course, you can’t just throw sneakers into the washing machine - after this, their shape or fabric can be severely damaged, and even if this does not happen, they will completely get wet and lose their protective layer.

Items related to

  • Tarrago Shoe Care Sneakers Sneaker Care Set, CLEAN & PROTECT
  • Tarrago Shoe Whitener, SOLE RESTORER, 125ml.
  • Solemate Basic Kit in tube 1 320 rubles

How to clean white sneakers?

After regular cleaning, white sneakers may remain more gray than the original shade.


Learn more