How to Clean White Leather Shoes

White shoes are difficult to keep clean, especially when you are often outdoors. White leather shoes are even more difficult to clean because chemicals such as ammonia can discolor the leather, and leather shoes cannot be put in the washing machine. Luckily, there are all-natural methods for cleaning white leather shoes using household products like toothpaste, white vinegar, and olive oil. If you do the right technique, pay attention to the care and maintenance of your shoes, you can keep your shoes like new.

Table of Contents

Use toothpaste

Brush off any dirt or mud from the shoes. Brush off the sand that is on the shoes but not absorbed into the leather. Brush with a soft nylon brush or use a cotton rag to wipe the entire surface of the shoe. This step will cause most of the dry dirt on the shoe to come off and be cleaned. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Remove the shoelaces. Soak shoelaces in a basin of warm water and laundry detergent or put them in the washing machine. You need to remove the shoelaces to make cleaning the shoes easier. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Use a damp cloth or rag to wipe the outside of the shoe. Sprinkle water on the rag so that it is damp but not too wet. Leather shoes that are wet for a long time will be damaged, so do not let your shoes get wet. Use a damp rag to wipe the surface of the shoe to clean the sand. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Rub or dab toothpaste on rubbings and stains. You must use a non-gel and white toothpaste that does not contain colorants that can stain shoes. Dab a little toothpaste on the dirty spots on the shoes and use your fingers to rub the toothpaste into the leather. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Use a toothbrush to scrub the stains. Rub the toothpaste into the leather with small circular motions. Continue scrubbing until the stains dissolve. Continue like this to clean the entire surface of the shoe. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Use Vinegar and Olive Oil

Mix vinegar and olive oil in a spray bottle. Pour ¼ cup (60 ml) vinegar and ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil in a medium-sized spray bottle and shake vigorously. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

This solution will then separate, so you need to shake it before using.

Spray the solution on the surface of the shoe. Spray a thin and even layer of the solution all over the surface of the shoe. Spray more solution on the stained leather shoes.

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Leave the solution on the leather for about 5 minutes. The solution will soak into the leather and dislodge stubborn stains. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Use a dry rag to wipe off the solution. When you wipe off the vinegar solution, the stain will come off with it. Use a microfiber towel or soft cotton rag to avoid scratching the shoe. Continue wiping until the shoes are dry and the solution has absorbed into the leather.

Prevent shoes from getting dirty

Apply a waterproof product to the leather surface of the shoe. Waterproof products will help preserve the shoes and prevent the leather from being damaged by water. This product comes in oil, wax, and spray bottles. Read the instructions on the product label and follow it carefully. Usually, you will apply the product to the entire surface of the shoe and wait for it to dry before applying another layer. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Don’t forget to clean your shoes before using a waterproof product.
Leather waterproofing products are available from popular brands such as Meltonian, Obenauf, Scotchguard, and Jason Markk Repel. ^{[10] X Research Source}
Make sure to choose the right product for leather instead of suede.

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Clean shoes as soon as they get dirty. Treating dirty spots right away is an easy way to keep white shoes looking great. Use a paper towel or damp rag to wipe away scratches and dirt on the surface of the shoe as soon as they appear. Check your shoes every day after you get home and wipe the dirt off the shoes. ^{[11] X Research Source}

The more often you take care of dirty spots on your shoes, the less you need to clean the leather.
If there are deeper stains, you can use a mild colorless dishwashing liquid and a toothbrush to scrub them away.

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Leave shoes indoors and out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can yellow and damage shoe leather. When not wearing shoes, you should store your shoes in a cool and dark place in the house to preserve shoes. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Expert advice

Follow these do’s and don’ts to keep your leather shoes in good condition:

Do not wear shoes outside in the rain. The leather will shrink if it gets wet.
Do not attempt to polish dirty shoes. You will push dirt into the shoe leather and damage the shoe.
Clean shoes regularly. Use a soft brush or microfiber towel when cleaning shoes.
Use a shoe cleaner. Wipe the surface of the shoe to keep the leather clean and soft.

Things you need

Cotton rags
Toothpaste
Olive oil
White Vinegar
Aerosol
Nylon brush (optional)
Microfiber towel (optional)
Waterproof product (optional)

Steps

Use toothpaste

Use Vinegar and Olive Oil

Prevent shoes from getting dirty

Expert advice

Things you need

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