Stains on white sneakers are a modern-day reminder that life isn't always Instagram-filtered. But before you panic or, worse, throw them in the washing machine, there's an all-natural trick that will almost miraculously restore your sneakers. And no, it doesn't involve Mars liquid, but something you almost certainly already have in your kitchen.
When traces of past adventures appear on your beloved white sneakers (read: mud, coffee, or a mysterious gray mark from a city bus), many people first reach for aggressive cleaners or simply thrown in the washing machine – hoping they won't come out looking like crumpled slippers. Wrong. There is a simpler, cheaper and, above all, more elegant way.
What do you need to clean white sneakers? Two classics from the kitchen shelf
Laura Harnett, founder of a sustainable cleaning brand Seep, warns that half of the chemicals we buy for cleaning are about as necessary as a third remote control for the same TV. Recommends white vinegar and baking soda – a duet that not only disinfects, but also removes odors and stains, as if it were a commercial shot with slow-motion wiping away dirt.
Recipe for a paste that revives your sneakers:
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon warm water
Mix it up, gently rub it into your shoes in a circular motion (to make your white sneakers feel like they're at the spa), wipe off the excess paste, and let them dry for a few hours. And voilà – the stains are gone, and you're one step closer to white perfection.
But what about that smell that greets you when you take off your shoes?
Don't worry, there's a natural solution for that too, one that's both stylish and eco-friendly. If the insoles in your sneakers are removable, place them in small biodegradable bag, filled with baking soda. Tie it and leave it overnight. In the morning, the smell will be gone – like the bad decisions from Friday night.
But if the inserts need a little more love, you can also hand wash with some soap and water, then let them dry outside. The sun and fresh air will do their job – because even your insoles need some pampering.
So, will your white sneakers look like new?
While we can't promise that your white sneakers will be runway-ready after this treatment, they'll definitely look a lot fresher—and without the use of plastic, chemicals, or expensive TikTok tricks. Sometimes, all you need is vinegar and baking soda. And some love.
