Whether sneakers, sandals or boots – shoes with white soles are a must-have in every season. They are modern, stylish and simply look beautiful. But in everyday life it is inevitable that they become dirty and lose their original appearance. Now put an end to it! We reveal the best methods on how to clean white shoe soles and get them back in top shape.
We all have them - the shoes with white soles that no longer look so nice even after wearing them a second time. And if the dirt is not removed in time, the midsoles and therefore the shoes will appear worn and old. The same products are not always suitable for cleaning the white soles of shoes. Depending on the material and type of dirt, you can use various methods and home remedies to make your shoes shine again.
What are shoe soles made of? Tips for cleaning by material
To find an effective method for cleaning the soles of your shoes, you first need to knowwhat materialit is. Most outsoles and midsoles are made of rubber, plastic or, in some cases, leather. Since every material has different cleaning requirements, you cannot clean all white shoe soles with the same products.
Clean rubber shoe soles
Rubber soles are common in casual shoes such as sneakers, among other things. They make the shoes comfortable and quiet and are also perfect for everyday use. The greater strain on shoes with rubber soles often means that they become dirty more quickly. Even a short rain can make the white midsole muddy. But even on sunny days you are not protected from streaks and stains. Luckily, white rubber shoe soles are fairly easy to clean. In most cases all you need is a little dishwashing liquid and a sponge or cloth.
It becomes problematic if the soles have not been cleaned for a long time and the dirt has accumulated. Then a simple home remedy can really work wonders! The solution to dirty rubber soles is in the beauty drawer. It's about the nail polish remover, more precisely the acetone it contains. Simply soak a few cotton balls with nail polish remover and scrub the dirt away from the white rubber soles.
Danger!Use the nail polish remover only on the rubber area and do not let it come into contact with fabric, leather or other parts of the shoes.
How do you get EVA soles clean?
EVA soles are not only super comfortable, they can also be cleaned without much effort. The material is “ethylene vinyl acetate” – a type of rubbery plastic that is lighter and softer than regular plastic.
When cleaning these soles, the key is regularity. Clean the EVA soles whenever you notice contamination to avoid the build-up of impurities. A damp cloth is usually sufficient.
If the soles made of EVA plastic are very dirty, you can use a dirt eraser to remove the dirt. How exactly this works is explained below.
Clean white leather shoe soles properly
Popular summer shoes such as wedges or platform sandals often have leather on the soles. Since leather is very demanding, the leather soles also need appropriate care. You should not use the tips that work on rubber and plastic directly on leather, as some cleaning agents can cause damage to the sensitive material. The same goes for excess water. So never clean leather under water.
It is recommended that leather soles be treated with balm twice a month. If it is raining or damp, you should let the leather dry completely before putting the shoes back on. For stains and dirt, you can use curd soap or pH-neutral shower gel in addition to special leather soap. Do this sparingly and then treat the leather with a suitable care product such as special cream, milk or lotion.
Clean white shoe soles: Remove stains with home remedies
There are some tried and tested home remedies that can be used to clean white shoes quickly and effectively. These include dishwashing detergent, baking soda or baking powder, white vinegar and toothpaste. For really good results you also need to get a small brush (e.g. toothbrush) and a dirt eraser. Below we explain how these home remedies work and what the best cleaning methods are for different stains.
Clean the soles of your shoes with baking soda and vinegar
This simple home remedy method is usually enough to get most types of white shoe soles sparkling clean (you still need to be careful with leather). You may already have these three magical “ingredients” at home and sometimes they are all you need for clean shoe soles.
- Mix baking soda and white vinegar in a container to form a thick paste.
- Apply the paste to the white soles with a clean toothbrush. As you do this, scrub away any stubborn stains.
- Allow the cleaning paste to take effect for about 10 minutes. It should dry easily.
- Remove the paste with the brush and rubShoe soleswith a clean cloth. You should now shine again.
Turn yellowed shoe soles white again with hydrogen peroxide
It is not uncommon for shoe soles to be whiteRubber yellows over time. This doesn't happen immediately and only becomes noticeable when you take the shoes out of the closet after a few months. In this case, too, a home remedy can help.
To remove the yellow cast, you can make a bleaching detergent using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. To do this, put a packet of baking soda in a bowl and mix in some hydrogen peroxide until a paste is formed. Apply them to the yellowed rubber soles and leave for 20 minutes. Be careful not to let the paste come into contact with other parts of the shoes. For even better results, place the shoes in the sun. After the exposure time, remove the paste and wipe the soles of the shoes clean with a damp cloth.
Clean muddy shoe soles with baking soda and dishwashing liquid
Did a sudden rain surprise you? That's very bad luck, especially if you're wearing white shoes. And mud on the white soles of your shoes is certainly not a pretty sight. If you're looking for a quick cleaning method, you can mix clear dishwashing detergent with baking soda in a 1:1 ratio instead of vinegar. This cleaning product is very effective against dirt and mud and is really cheap.
To remove the stains, you will also need a brush with soft bristles, such as a brush. B. a toothbrush or special shoe brush. Dip the bristles into the cleaning paste and scrub firmly until all dirt comes off. Then wipe the sole of the shoe with a damp rag.
Remove grass stains from white shoe soles
Grass stains are usually very stubborn and difficult to remove. Nevertheless, there is a home remedy that has proven to be very effective for me. We're talking about the dirt eraser. The so-called magic sponge is a real all-rounder and can also serve you well in this case. Haven't used a dirt eraser yet? The sponge is available in every drugstore and is very easy to use. Here's how to deal with dirty shoe soles:
- Lightly moisten the corner of the sponge with water and squeeze it out.
- Gently rub the sole - from a clean spot into the stain.
- Wipe the soles with a damp cloth.
- Repeat a few times until the grass stain completely disappears.
It didn't work out so well with the dirt eraser? Then try using high-proof alcohol. Spirits or spirits would work well here. Pour some onto a clean cloth and gently wipe away the stains. Always move towards the stain and avoid circular movements.
Conclusion
White soles of sandals, sneakers, boots, etc. can become dirty due to rain, mud and wear. They get stains, streaks and can also yellow over time. To get the soles of your shoes back into good condition, you can use various household products depending on the material. The very best solution that is effective in most cases is the dirt eraser. The melamine sponge removes most stains without special cleaning agents and is ideal for white soles. Other good home remedies include baking soda, vinegar and nail polish remover, although hydrogen peroxide can also help with yellow soles.
