How to Make Shoes White With Toothpaste

Running on sand can stain your white shoes.

White tennis shoes are a staple for runners and fashionistas alike. Although they look sporty and go with any outfit, white shoes can be notoriously hard to keep clean. Commercial shoe polishes and cleaning solutions are available but can be costly and harmful to the environment. You can clean white athletic shoes and keep them looking new with some simple whitening toothpaste and water.

Things You'll Need

• Whitening toothpaste
• Large bowl
• Mild soap
• Old washcloths

Instructions

1. Remove the laces from the shoes. Soak the laces in warm, soapy water to remove any dirt and grime. Once they are clean, roll the laces in a washcloth to soak up any excess water and let them air dry.

2. Use the brush to clean off any clumps of dirt or mud. Once the shoe is clean, dip a corner of a washcloth into clean water and squeeze a dollop of toothpaste -- about half the size of a pea -- onto the wet area. Ensure that you use whitening, cream-style toothpaste, not the gel style, for best results.

3. Place your hand inside the shoe to hold it steady and scrub the exterior with a gentle, circular motion. Once you have cleaned the entire exterior, dip another washcloth in clean water and use it to rinse the shoes and remove any excess toothpaste. Let the shoes air dry and put the laces back on.

References

• How to Clean Things: How to Clean Shoes