How to Clean Tennis Shoes (Sneakers)

Tennis shoes are expensive. And many are white. As a result, they are hard to keep looking new and clean. Follow these easy steps, though, and your shoes will certainly be looking newer longer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dirty tennis shoes
• stain remover
• washing machine
• towels

1. 
    

   Start by coating the shoes in stain remover. Use a spray, not one of those sticks. (I have had the best luck with Spray 'n Wash, but Shout does a pretty good job, too)Leave the laces in and really give them a good soaking, too. Be sure to get all around the foamy fabric that lines the top of the upper where your ankle sticks out. This part will be especially dirty if it is a light color because it will show sweat stains. Let the shoes sit at least ten minutes or so and let the stain remover work its way in.

2. Add a few towels to the washing machine. Then put the shoes in. Then add a few more towels. Be sure to use at least five or six towels. The regular, everday bath towels are fine. This won't hurt them. Don't use any fine linens, though. Wash on warm or cold on a good long setting. "Regular" is good. If your washer has a "Towels" setting, go ahead and use that. No "Gentle" or "Hand Wash."

3. Remove and set out to dry. Don't put the shoes in the dryer. Open them up and set them somewhere to air dry. Give them at least a day to dry out completely. Don't wear them if they are damp - they will stink!

Tips & Warnings

• If the shoes are all white, go ahead and use a little bleach. My three-year-old has an expensive pair of all-white Nikes he wears to preschool. I wash and bleach them about every other week. After nearly six months of wearing and washing they still look brand new.