For everyday cleaning, the best approach is a paste made from baking soda and warm water (or white vinegar for tough stains), or a simple, dye-free dish soap and water mixture. This breaks down dirt without the harshness of bleach, which can yellow or damage fabrics.
For a professional clean, the Jason Markk Premium Shoe Cleaning Kit is widely considered the gold standard and is safe for all white shoe materials, including leather, canvas, and mesh. For budget-friendly DIY options, white toothpaste or a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide work exceptionally well.
Always polish with a soft cloth using circular strokes. Brush with a Cole Haan Shoe Brush, then use a soft cloth for added luster. To clean water and salt stains from finished leathers, use Cole Haan Leather Conditioner. Wipe clean and dry.
Dish soap + warm water
Mix 1 tsp of Dawn Dish Soap with 1 cup of warm water. Stir mixture until it's good and sudsy. Using a stiff bristled toothbrush (one you don't plan to use in your mouth ever again), work the soapy mixture over the rubber bits and soles of your shoes to remove excess dirt.
TORY BURCH SHOE CARE
9 quick ways to clean your expensive shoes
Dawn dish soap is not safe for leather. Dawn's ingredients are great on greasy dishes, which is exactly why it will damage your leather. When in doubt, opt for a premade leather cleaner, like our Leather Honey Leather Cleaner or Leather Honey Suede & Nubuck Cleaner.
A: For cleaning white canvas shoes, we recommend household products like baking soda and white vinegar. You may also use a mild detergent. These ingredients will help break down dirt and stubborn stains, brightening the fabric without damaging it.
Brush off loose dirt using a dry toothbrush. Mix your cleaning solution (e.g., baking soda + vinegar or mild soap + water). Dip the brush in the solution and gently scrub in circular motions. Wipe clean using a damp cloth to remove soap or residue.
WD-40 can be used on leather boots in a pinch to clean grime, soften, and provide temporary water resistance. However, it is not recommended for long-term care. It contains petroleum solvents that can strip natural oils, dry out the leather over time, and cause irreversible darkening.
The "3 Shoe Rule" is a minimalist travel packing strategy that limits footwear to only three versatile pairs—typically a walking shoe, a casual/daytime shoe, and a dressier pair—regardless of trip duration. This rule helps minimize luggage weight, reduces overpacking, and streamlines daily styling by ensuring all shoes match your outfits.
To clean knit, canvas, or Stitchlite™ shoes, you'll need Cole Haan's All Purpose Cleaner, a clean cotton cloth, and Cole Haan's suede cleaner bar/brush. Begin to clean your canvas shoes by starting with the all-purpose cleaner and a cotton cloth. Apply the all-purpose cleaner all over the shoe.
With global sales of $46 billion in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024, Nike is not only the most popular but also by far the biggest seller of athletic footwear in the world. The company's chief rival Adidas recorded roughly $28 billion in sales in 2023, with the footwear share being lower than Nike's, however.
Scrub Clean With Non-Abrasive Solution: Mix a small dab of your chosen soaping agent (natural dye-free detergent, dish soap, or even dandruff shampoo can all work fine) into cool water, and gently work into dirty areas of the shoes and insoles with the toothbrush until there's a lather; keep going until the dirt is ...
BAKING SODA
Note that we only recommend using this method with shoes made from and lined with canvas or synthetic materials, as baking soda has a tendency to dry out leather shoes and suede shoes.
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Clean shoes easily with baking soda, white vinegar, dish soap, or a Magic Eraser. Mix soap and water for general canvas cleaning, apply a paste of baking soda and vinegar for tough fabric stains, and scrub scuffed rubber soles with a damp melamine sponge.
How to Clean White Shoes with Toothpaste
However, if you're looking to bring those classic canvas sneakers back to their original bright white condition, you'll want to use a little elbow grease, some hydrogen peroxide, and Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach.
To make the solution is simple and easy on the wallet! Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned. I have found the best results is when I use it to clean chrome shower and sink fixtures.
Take your Murphy® Oil Soap further than you ever thought possible and spread some cleaning love around your home. Your bathrooms, leather products, landscaping, laundry and other household items will thank you.
We wouldn't recommend using WD-40 or Vaseline on your leather goods. We see these kinds of DIY tricks all the time. WD-40 is not a leather restorer, and Vaseline is just going to be thick and pasty on the material. The best thing you can use to restore dried leather is a basic, neutral conditioner.