Everyone needs at the very least, one pair of go-to white sneakers in their shoe collection – and for a few good reasons. First off, white sneakers can go with pretty much anything. From simple outfits like jeans and a t-shirt or joggers and a tank top to more business casual ensembles like chinos and a polo, you can really pair any casual or semi-formal outfit with a great pair of white sneakers. Second, is there a more comfortable option you can wear when it comes to staying stylish while sporting casual footwear? We’ll answer that for you: no, there isn’t.

However, don’t let the simplicity of this footwear staple fool you: white sneakers can make or break your outfit, especially if they’re grungy, scuffed up, or look anything less than brand-new. And while white sneakers definitely add a fashionable yet casual edge to any outfit, keeping them looking as fresh as the day you took them out of the box can be quite a daunting task, especially if you have no clue how to keep your kicks clean.

Thankfully, we’ve got you covered with this super-simple, how-to guide that’ll help you answer all your questions about how to keep your white canvas and leather sneakers spotless. 

What You’ll Need To Clean White Sneakers

It’s important to note that you’ll need different cleaning supplies depending on the material of your sneakers – this isn’t a one-size-fits-all cleaning operation here. Although, something you’ll need when cleaning any kind of shoe is a pair of shoe trees, which will help keep the shape of your shoes while you clean them; if you don’t have shoe trees, you can always stuff newspaper into the shoe. You may also want to keep a Mr. Clean Major Eraser on hand to help clean the rubber soles and sides of your sneakers. 

For white canvas sneakers, make sure you have the following: a clean toothbrush or nail brush along with either baking soda and white vinegar, or you can simply use a combination of dish soap and water, depending on what’s convenient and available to you. For white leather sneakers, you’ll need either a sponge, shoe wipes, an old t-shirt or rag, and/or paper towels, and ivory soap.