The ‘magic’ trick to bring your sneakers back to their brightest white

White sneakers never go out of style. The classic shoe is easy to wear, goes with everything and looks good on everyone. The only problem is they also attract dirt like a moth to a flame.

Now one cleaning wiz has shared her trick that will turn your dirty sneakers from drab to fab and all you’ll need is a few household ingredients.

In an Instagram video, Lese Mmolotsi demonstrates her technique for restoring shoes to near-new condition by mixing baking soda, toothpaste, and dishwashing liquid into a paste. She then applies the paste with a brush, places the shoes in a pillowcase, and tosses the pillowcase into the washing machine. The result? Fresh, clean white sneakers that look brand new!

“White shoes cleaning hack I wish I knew sooner,” she said.

 

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A post shared by Lese Mmolotsi (@homewithlese)

Fans were left amazed by the results.

“This is a magic concoction! They’ve come up amazing,” one wrote

“Where have you been all my life??”

“Love all your hacks Sis,” another commented.

“So good.”

“I’m definitely trying this one tomorrow 😁😁😁😁”

While Mmolotsi’s method is effective, not everyone has time to wash their sneakers in a washing machine. If you are looking for quicker ways to maintain your sneakers, these simple tricks will help you keep your shoes at their brightest and whitest best.

Protect
If you want to keep your sneakers looking their best, stain and water repellent should be your best friend as they can help prevent stains before they even happen. And don’t just bank on a one-time spray – re-apply the product every few weeks, much like you would for your winter boots. Try Scotchgard for canvas shoes or Kiwi Protect All Water proofer which is suitable for all colours and waterproof leather, suede, Nubuck fabric and microfibre.

Spot clean
Wipe off any stains or scuffs as soon as they happen to prevent the blemishes from penetrating into the fabric or leather. Once at home, remove excess dirt using an old toothbrush with dish soap and water. Scrub gently until the solution begins to foam and then wipe clean with a clean towel.

Magic erasers
You have probably used magic erasers to scrub away dirty marks on the wall but they also work a treat on shoes, especially with getting off any dirt or scuffs on the midsole. Plus, it’s not very expensive!

Shampoo
Stepped in an oil slick or dropped a greasy piece of food on your shoe? Shampoo can do the trick. Use a gentle one with warm water and gently wipe the smudge off with a rag.

Bleach-water solution
Can you use bleach? Yes, but only on sneakers and you have to dilute it. Mix one part bleach with five parts water; any more than that, your white fabrics can turn a weird yellow tone. Dip your toothbrush in the diluted bleach solution and scrub the shoes gently. Rinse with warm water when you’re finished. Do not do this with leather or faux leather as it might rub off the protective material.

Wash your laces
Clean shoes but dirty laces? Just put them in a normal wash on cold, in a pillow case or a bra bag to ensure they don’t get tangled up in other washing.