How to Clean White Tennis Shoes and Bring Them Back to Life with Stain Solver

White tennis shoes have a way of looking fantastic when they're new and very quickly reminding you where you've been.

Dirt. Grass. Dust. Everyday grime. Scuffs. Whatever happened during that last trip through the yard.

Eventually, you look down at a perfectly good pair of shoes and start wondering whether it's time to replace them.

Before you throw them away, try cleaning them.

As Josh demonstrates in our video, a pair of dirty white tennis shoes that looked like they had seen better days still had plenty of life left in them. They didn't necessarily need to be replaced. They needed the right cleaning process.

And that's exactly the kind of problem Stain Solver was made to tackle.

Watch the transformation here >>

Can You Use Stain Solver to Clean White Tennis Shoes?

For many water-washable tennis shoes and sneakers, Stain Solver can be an effective way to remove accumulated dirt and staining and help restore a cleaner, brighter appearance.

Stain Solver is an oxygen-based powder cleaner. When mixed with warm or hot water, it releases active oxygen that helps lift and break down stains and grime. Instead of immediately attacking the shoe with aggressive scrubbing, you give the cleaning solution time to work first.

That distinction is important.

With Stain Solver, time is part of the cleaning process.

How to Clean White Tennis Shoes with Stain Solver

Always check the shoe manufacturer's cleaning instructions first. Shoes can contain different combinations of fabric, leather, synthetic material, adhesives, dyes and finishes, so what works well on one pair may not be appropriate for another. Test an inconspicuous area first when you're unsure.

For appropriate water-washable shoes, the basic process is simple.

1. Remove the Laces

Josh removes the laces from the shoes before cleaning them. This makes it easier for the Stain Solver solution to reach the tongue, eyelets, and other areas where dirt tends to accumulate.

The laces can also be cleaned separately when appropriate for their material.

2. Mix Stain Solver with Warm or Hot Water

Stain Solver needs water to activate its oxygen-cleaning reaction.

For general cleaning, our standard mixing ratio is:

• 1 cup per 1 gallon of water

Use warm or hot water and stir until the powder is dissolved. Warm water helps dissolve Stain Solver and gets the oxygen-cleaning process started.

3. Apply the Solution or Soak the Shoes

Depending on the construction of the shoe and its care instructions, Stain Solver can be applied directly to water-washable areas or the appropriate portions of the shoe can be soaked.

The goal is to give the activated solution good contact with the dirty or stained material.

4. Give It Time to Work

This may be the most important step.

Don't assume that more scrubbing automatically means more cleaning.

When Stain Solver is mixed with water, the oxygen action begins working on the dirt and staining. Allowing the solution to remain in contact with the surface gives that reaction time to do its job. For many Stain Solver applications, a dwell or soak time of approximately 30 minutes to two hours can be helpful depending on the severity of the staining.

In other words:

Mix it. Apply it. Wait. Rinse it.

Then decide how much additional cleaning the shoe actually needs.

5. Lightly Agitate Stubborn Areas if Needed

Some areas may need a little help.

A soft brush can be useful for working on stubborn dirt around textured fabric, stitching, soles or other durable water-washable areas, provided the shoe material can tolerate brushing.

The important part is that Stain Solver has already had time to loosen the mess before you start scrubbing.

6. Rinse Thoroughly

Once you're satisfied with the cleaning, rinse away the Stain Solver solution and loosened dirt thoroughly.

Then allow the shoes to dry according to the manufacturer's recommendations before replacing the laces and wearing them again.

7. Repeat as necessary

Sometimes it may take more than one soaking or application to get your desired results. Every shoe and stain are different.

Why Does Stain Solver Work on Dirty White Shoes?

The answer is oxygen.

Stain Solver contains just two ingredients: sodium percarbonate and soda ash. When the powder is mixed with water, it creates an oxygen-based cleaning reaction. The resulting oxygen action helps loosen and lift staining material from water-washable surfaces.

That's also why patience can produce better results.

Giving the solution time to work may reduce the amount of aggressive scrubbing needed, particularly when you're dealing with dirt that has worked its way into fabric or textured surfaces.

Sometimes Dirty Doesn't Mean Worn Out

This is bigger than a pair of white shoes.

We've all done it.

A shirt gets badly stained. An outdoor cushion starts looking dingy. A rug gets dirty. A pair of sneakers looks terrible.

And our first reaction is sometimes:

"I guess I need a new one."

But a stain doesn't necessarily mean the item has reached the end of its useful life.

One Stain Solver customer described cleaning sneakers that seemed beyond saving and being surprised by how dramatically they improved. Another specifically reported getting excellent results cleaning several older pairs of tennis shoes. Other customers have told us that Stain Solver has helped them extend the life of clothing, jackets and shoes they otherwise might have given up on.

That's why Solve your stains. Save your stuff.™ means more to us than simply getting something clean.

Sometimes a good cleaning can save you from replacing something that still has years of useful life left.

What Else Can You Clean with Stain Solver?

The same oxygen-cleaning action that makes Stain Solver useful for many washable shoes can also help with a wide range of cleaning projects around the house.

Common uses include:

• Laundry and washable fabrics
• Carpets and rugs
• Upholstery and cushions
• Dirty grout
• Coffee and tea residue
• Outdoor furniture
• Patios and decks
• Vinyl siding
• Pet messes
• Dingy whites
• Many other water-washable surfaces

The method may change depending on what you're cleaning, but the basic idea remains remarkably simple: mix Stain Solver with warm or hot water, apply it, give it time to work, and then rinse, wash, blot or lightly scrub as appropriate.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning White Tennis Shoes

What is the best way to clean dirty white tennis shoes?

For water-washable shoes, start by checking the manufacturer's care instructions. Remove the laces, mix an appropriate cleaning solution, apply or soak as appropriate for the shoe material, allow the cleaner time to work, lightly agitate stubborn areas if necessary and rinse thoroughly.

Stain Solver uses an oxygen-based cleaning reaction to help loosen stains and grime before rinsing.

Can Stain Solver make white tennis shoes white again?

Stain Solver can help remove staining, dirt, and grime from many water-washable white shoes, which can dramatically improve their appearance. Results depend on the shoe material, the type of stain, how long it has been present and whether discoloration is actually a stain or permanent wear or material damage.

Should I soak white shoes in Stain Solver?

Soaking can be effective for appropriate water-washable materials, but not every shoe is designed to be submerged. Always check the manufacturer's care instructions and consider the shoe's fabric, leather, adhesives, dyes and other components before soaking.

How long should Stain Solver sit before rinsing?

For many Stain Solver cleaning jobs, 15 minutes to two hours of contact time can be beneficial depending on the severity of the stain. Heavier buildup may require more time or repeated treatment.

Do I need to scrub my shoes?

Not necessarily right away. Give Stain Solver time to work first. Some stubborn areas may benefit from light agitation with an appropriate soft brush afterward. Stain Solver's oxygen-cleaning process is designed to help loosen the mess before you resort to heavy scrubbing.

Can Stain Solver be used on colored sneakers?

Stain Solver is designed for many color- and fabric-safe cleaning applications, but shoe materials, dyes and finishes vary significantly. Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions and test an inconspicuous area first.

Before You Replace Them, See If You Can Save Them

There's something satisfying about taking an item that looks like it's finished and realizing it wasn't ruined after all.

It was just dirty.

Josh's white tennis shoes are a great example.

A little Stain Solver, water and patience can sometimes make a much bigger difference than you'd expect.

So the next time you look down at a dirty pair of white tennis shoes and start thinking about buying another pair, try solving the stains first.

Solve your stains. Save your stuff.™