White leather shoes are currently considered to be a fashion accessory that makes no less of a statement. They are fashion friendly and timeless and complement the wardrobe of whoever wears them. But they get dirty very easily especially if you are always walking outside. They are also more difficult to wash than fabric shoes because chemicals such as ammonia damage the shoes resulting in a foul color. Unfortunately, you cannot wash white leather shoes in washing machine because you will destroy it.

Using the wrong products can cause them to appear yellow, overbleached, or partially cleaned. Luckily, there are safe methods you can use to clean white leather shoes at home, like white vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, and toothpaste. If you use these techniques wisely, you can protect and maintain your shoes, and they will serve you longer. 

How Often Should You Clean White Leather Shoes?

In the most general sense, white leather shoes must be cleaned after each use. You only have to wash them by rinsing them with some water or scrub them gently with a soft brush to clean out all rounded dust or spot.

Pre-stain is always easier to deal with than post-stain because cleaning has a way of becoming tougher when the stains are numerous. This is it for lightly colored shoes, if, on the other hand, the shoes are more or less stained or soiled then they require a more elaborate washing operation. You should also make sure that you wash your clean white leather sneakers before putting them away for a long time.

5 Methods for Cleaning White Leather Shoes

Before you begin

Here are the steps to follow before carrying out the cleaning process on your leather shoes: Take off the shoe laces and insoles and wash them as they are on their separate occasions. They can be washed with liquid soap and a soft brush and washed with hands if necessary. Then wash them in air and let them dry and before you pack them put them back to the shoes. Or, clean them in a mesh garment bag with a washing machine if you prefer that way. If it is stained, then it is washed with a drop of bleach to clean at the same time.

In case the shoes are muddy, wash them by using a dry toothbrush or indeed a small brush with soft bristles. It might seem obvious, but don’t forget to brush the rubber soles and outer edges of the tongue. Before washing your shoe, wet a cotton or microfiber cloth so that you can gently wipe through your entire shoe to clean it off of dust. Focus on the seams and areas of the shoe where dust and dirt may collect, and let the shoes air dry for roughly 15 minutes.

1. How to clean white leather shoes using baking soda

You will need the following materials:

• Baking soda paste

• Microfiber or cotton cloth

• Soft toothbrush

Using baking soda is good, especially when it comes to cleaning your leather shoes, sneakers, white canvas shoes, dress shoes because it helps to get rid of those difficult stains. Follow these steps:

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1. Dip a scrub brush or old toothbrush into the baking soda paste and apply it to the shoes. If there are stains, apply the paste directly to them.

2. Work the paste into the leather by scrubbing using a circular motion.

3. Let the baking soda sit on the shoes until dry, usually for 30 minutes.

4. Rinse the shoes with clean water and a cotton cloth.

5. If the stain is not gone, repeat the steps above.

6. To dry the shoes, wipe away any residue with a damp clean cloth and let the shoes air-dry away from direct sunlight.

7. Check if the shoes are completely dry, then apply a leather conditioner.

2. How to clean white leather shoes using white toothpaste

You will need the following materials:

• White toothpaste (non-gel variety)

• Nylon brush or cotton rug

• Toothbrush

• Microfiber cloth

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Follow these steps:

1. Use a wet rag or towel to dampen the outside of your shoe. Ensure the rag is not oversaturated with water, as this can spoil your shoe over time. Pass the damp cloth over your entire shoe to remove the initial dirt.

2. Put dabs of toothpaste over the stained areas of your shoes and rub them into the leather with your fingers. 

   

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3. Work in small, circular motions to scrub the toothpaste using a toothbrush. Continue rubbing until the stain breaks up as you rub the toothpaste around the entire shoe. 

4. Wipe the toothpaste with a towel to remove what was left after cleaning. If you find it difficult to remove the toothpaste, dampen the rag with warm water and rub it off. 

5. Wipe your shoes with a rag or microfiber cloth to dry them. The shoes should be completely dry before using them.

3. How to clean white leather shoes using olive oil and vinegar

You will need the following materials:

• Olive oil

• White vinegar

• Spray bottle

• Cotton or microfiber cloth

Follow these steps to clean white leather shoes with olive oil and vinegar:

1. Mix vinegar and olive oil in a medium-sized spray bottle. Their ratio should be 1:2 for the vinegar and olive oil. Shake the bottle to mix well. The mixture will separate, so you need to keep on shaking as you use it.

   

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2. Spray the solution generously on your entire shoe. Ensure the shoes have a nice coating, and if you notice areas with unwanted discoloration or dirt, add more solution.

3. Let the solution soak for five minutes to help disintegrate the stains and remove any dirt from the leather material. 

4. Rinse the mixture with water and then pat gently with a dry cloth. It should come out when washing and with the dirt and with the stains. Don’t scrub your shoes using a rough cloth since this might damage the material thus using a cotton or a microfiber cloth is advisable.

5. Wipe the shoe until it is dry. 

4. How to clean white leather shoes with soapy water

You will need the following materials:

• Water

• Liquid dish soap

• Paper towel

• Eraser sponge

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Follow these steps to clean your white leather shoes.

1. Mix liquid dish soap with a warm cup of water.

2. Use a toothbrush dipped in this soapy water to scrub the entire shoe gently. 

3. Remove any scuffs or stains using an eraser sponge.

4. Use a cloth that is not too wet to wipe the shoes.

5. Put paper towels inside the shoes to absorb the moisture inside. This will also help to maintain the shoes' shape as they air dry.

5. How to clean white leather shoes with bleach 

What You will need:

• Bleach

• Water

• Microfiber cloth

• Gloves

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For severe staining, you can use bleach to clean your shoes. Nonetheless, it should be used sparingly because in the wrong way, it will lead to skin reactions and breathing difficulties. When stain removing with bleach, it is used in the stain removing process for white shoes or even leather shoes it should be done in an area with good ventilation and one should wear gloves. Follow these steps:

1. Mix up warm water with bleach at a ratio of 5:1, five parts of warm water and one part of bleach. Too much bleach can lead to the yellowing of your shoes. 

2. Use a toothbrush or sponge to loosen the dirt and stains.

3. Dip a microfiber tower into the bleach mixture and wring it out to remove the extra solution. 

4. Blot the entire shoe with the towel.

5. Rinse the shoe with a cloth dampened with warm water.

6. Dry the shoes in a well-ventilated room. 

Conclusion

White shoes are prone to get soiled; if washed wrongly they are likely to get stained and appear weary. The above methods will assist you in cleaning your leather shoes to make them maintain the above looks as well as remain durable.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clean White Leather Shoes

1. What is the best thing to clean white leather?

White leather can be cleaned using olive oil and vinegar, or toothpaste. To use olive oil and vinegar, beat equal proportions of olive oil and vinegar together in a spray bottle. Then it is recommended to cover the stained area with the mixture and let it work for about five minutes. Towel with a cotton pad soaked in warm water. Do not use chlorine or any solution containing bleach as well as ammonia based cleaning solutions because they harm the leather.

To clean white leather with toothpaste:

1. Dampen the stained area with a damp cloth.

2. Apply a bit of white, non-gel toothpaste on the stain.

3. Scrub away the stain using a soft toothbrush.

4. Wipe the shoes with a clean cloth, then dry them with a towel.

Toothpaste is also effective in removing scuffs.

2. How do you make white leather white again?

If your white leather shoes are not as white as they used to be you can whiten them using bleach. Cleaning solution: 4 parts water, and 1 part bleach. With an old toothbrush, you need to soak it in the solution before cleaning the parts that are more likely dirty on your shoes. Wipe the bristles with water, then when the brush is still wet clean the stains off the bristles using your hands. Rinse the brush with water, then while still wet, scrub the stains until they're gone.

3. Can you get stains out of white leather shoes?

It is advisable to use bleach solution or baking soda paste to clean your white leather shoes, but when some stains are proving extremely difficult to clean, try the following. In a spray bottle, mix 2 parts of hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts of water, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Lay a dry clean white cloth on the area that has the stain and spray the mixture of cleaning solution on it. Next, using a dry microfiber cloth blot the stain from the middle outwards on the garment. Wash it in clean water and then leave the shoe to dry naturally.