https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers/page/2#post-2263149 Sat, 14 May 2022 22:43:32 +0000 danskogirl 2263149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes - this is indeed annoying when wearing white sneakers! I spray waterproofing spray on my white-soled fashion sneakers (Puma Carinas) - and that makes it so that I usually only need to briefly wipe the soles (or rather, the sides of the soles -- I don't bother with the bottom) with a damp rag after each wearing -- it takes just a few seconds; the dirt comes right off. I do a deeper cleaning with a toothbrush after several wears -- but nothing intensive.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers/page/2#post-2263029 Fri, 13 May 2022 15:34:30 +0000 Jenava 2263029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Try the Mr. Clean Magic eraser. It's the only thing that works on my Stutterheim raincoat. Depending in how porous the sole is, it should work like a charm without any chemicals. I just used water. And I'd tried everything on that coat because it has white panels that were filthy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers/page/2#post-2263003 Fri, 13 May 2022 11:55:10 +0000 Jules 2263003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve used nail polish and even Liquid Paper that I had around to touch things up! Rose gold nail polish helped me extend the life of some beloved ‘snakeskin’ leather Converse and the Liquid Paper to cover some dings on a bathroom vanity. If I had just a small mark to cover on a shoe I would try one of those. It likely won’t colour match perfectly but much less obvious from eye level than a black mark… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers/page/2#post-2262849 Wed, 11 May 2022 19:26:25 +0000 Mary 2262849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mr. Clean white sponges (can’t recall exact name) clean off marks on plastic. &nbsp;I’ve been tempted to use on whir soles, but haven’t, lazy I guess </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers/page/2#post-2262752 Tue, 10 May 2022 18:22:02 +0000 Chris987 2262752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm ... good to know!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers/page/2#post-2262750 Tue, 10 May 2022 18:19:17 +0000 approprio 2262750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris: nothing fancy, just a liberal smearing of white shoe cream while I was cleaning the rest. It helped, but they will never again be box fresh.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262749 Tue, 10 May 2022 18:16:14 +0000 Chris987 2262749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>approprio,</b> yes, perhaps inevitable as you suggest. What type of paint (or whatever) did you use on the soles of your sneakers?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262693 Tue, 10 May 2022 08:00:14 +0000 approprio 2262693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is inevitable, for all the reasons above, says the woman who has just painted the soles of her white platform sneakers with blanco.</p> <p>When white shoes are past their best, I like to change over the laces to a darker colour. The contrast has a way of making them look whiter.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262659 Mon, 09 May 2022 19:01:58 +0000 Chris987 2262659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Joyce B</b> good idea about keeping shoes in the car for driving. I have a feeling I did that during some of m working/commuting years.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262651 Mon, 09 May 2022 18:09:38 +0000 Joyce B 2262651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would try a magic eraser sponge on the soles, I have cleaned several white soles with good results.<br /> As for the driving, I keep in the car a shoe for driving so that my shoes don’t get ruined. My shoe is good for driving as it does not slip and gives me good footing on the pedals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262624 Mon, 09 May 2022 12:46:42 +0000 Chris987 2262624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>RobinF</b> - I may end up there! :-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262621 Mon, 09 May 2022 12:23:19 +0000 RobinF 2262621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have definitely lowered my standards. I find it really annoying how quickly they get dirty but I also don't have the patience to scrub them after every wear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262614 Mon, 09 May 2022 11:27:33 +0000 Chris987 2262614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz</b> - like your ideas for "treatment" - the body glide especially! May try them.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Jenni NZ</b> I generally agree with you! I'm trying a black pair this year with white soles but sometimes I just don't like the high contrast.&nbsp; If the sneaker is a lighter color it's much better to my eye. It does limit ones options for sure.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262610 Mon, 09 May 2022 09:54:05 +0000 Jenni NZ 2262610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris I thought of your post when I popped into a shoe shop today. There were so many sneakers in there and every single one I saw had white soles, which I personally do not like. Of my 4 pairs of sneakers only my “running shoes” ( which I only walk in, not run) have them. Otherwise I find them too stark a contrast on me. It is really limiting any sneaker purchases! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262605 Mon, 09 May 2022 06:14:20 +0000 Suz 2262605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Barkeepers Friend would also work like Borax. And baking soda.&nbsp;</p> <p>What if you painted the soles with clear nail polish before wearing them. Or -- apply body glide or similar? Then stains could be wiped off?&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262584 Sun, 08 May 2022 19:11:58 +0000 Sal 2262584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh that’s a useful tip kkards. I hate shower doors and I hate tea/coffee stains on work cups. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262575 Sun, 08 May 2022 14:20:09 +0000 Chris987 2262575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>kkards</b>, I think I have tried Borax and it does work, but it does nothing for the need to clean after each wearing that's my real&nbsp; issue.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262571 Sun, 08 May 2022 13:56:01 +0000 kkards 2262571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not one to fuss over this, after all shoes are meant to be worn, and so will show some wear…<br />but I’m wondering if my go to BORAX would work. It’s fabulous for cleaning tea stains on porcelain, water stains of shower doors and so much more…I’d try a small Borax paste with an old toothbrush.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262570 Sun, 08 May 2022 13:54:23 +0000 Chris987 2262570@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jules</b>, you hit the nail on the head about having a smaller wardrobe so will&nbsp; wear things out before they age. I keep thinking about this but am not doing it very well; the "need for variety" keeps overshadowing it ...&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262569 Sun, 08 May 2022 13:51:59 +0000 Jules 2262569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I suspect the yellowing is the material itself actually changing (with age and exposure to air), so it’s not something that can be removed. The lesson for me (in theory) is to keep a smaller wardrobe so I can wear things out before they ‘age’! However in reality the pandemic has had me buying more footwear than I can actually use. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262563 Sun, 08 May 2022 11:47:02 +0000 Chris987 2262563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sal,</b> good comment about some marking up more easily than others. I think I may&nbsp;try some waterproof spray on the soles of the Vionics since they seem to soak&nbsp;up dirt more than the others. I'm with you on avoiding white canvas shoes&nbsp; - too hard&nbsp;to keep clean. </p> <p><b>JamC</b> - maybe lowering standards a bit is the way to go ... and/or not buying more of them! I have a few&nbsp;older ones with the same sidewall yellowing and I've tried all kinds of things including letting diluted bleach sit on them for a bit and then putting out in the sun&nbsp; - nothing really seems to work. Maybe someone has a miracle cure they can post here.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262562 Sun, 08 May 2022 11:39:13 +0000 JamC 2262562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris987, I don’t have any additional suggestions for cleaning the white soles of sneakers but am also annoyed by the dirty look! I am not inclined to clean them after every wear so I guess I have lowered my standards as others suggested.<br /> In addition, I have a few pairs of sneakers whose sidewalls have yellowed which looks terrible! Anyone have a suggestion to clean these or prevent it from happening in the future? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262546 Sun, 08 May 2022 01:38:34 +0000 Sal 2262546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do give them a wash and a wipe down, but not every time I wear them.&nbsp; I am not a pristine person though.</p> <p>Some soles tend to mark more easily than others though.&nbsp; And I would be cautious about adding white canvas sneakers again - they stained very easily. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262543 Sun, 08 May 2022 00:59:07 +0000 Chris987 2262543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting comments <b>Suz</b>. I have to drive to get anywhere (except for neighborhood fitness walks where I wear running shoes), so maybe white soles are not so practical for me unless I can get over the need to clean frequently.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Runcarla</b> - hah, that "dirty" sneaker golden goose trend reminds me of the $400 ripped/torn jeans someone was selling a few years ago :-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262534 Sat, 07 May 2022 22:10:13 +0000 Carla 2262534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>With Golden Goose selling ‘dirty’ sneakers for $750CA (I think $500US) and they have actually been trending since 2018 or 2019 and are&nbsp;<i>still&nbsp;</i>popular, I personally don’t worry too much if my sneakers look a little scruffy. &nbsp;When I want to spruce them up, I do like JAileen and toss then in the wash with a bunch of towels, some Oxyclean and Tide. &nbsp;Then I let them dry in the sun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262528 Sat, 07 May 2022 21:31:38 +0000 Suz 2262528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I lower my standards.<b> Some</b> of the time.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have a pair that I wear when conditions are not lovely. (When the white is likely to get smudged). And another pair for "good."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I wonder if this is one reason people used to wear driving moccasins?&nbsp;</p> <p>I rarely drive in mine and don't have the issue you describe when I do -- but I do walk in some mucky places.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262526 Sat, 07 May 2022 21:12:12 +0000 Chris987 2262526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>SF</b> - well, with the latest advancements in virtual reality etc maybe photoshop can be used IRL in the near future </p> <p><b>Kyle, Jaileen</b>, - thanks for the suggestions but I'm all set on HOW to clean them; what I'm seeking is a way to not have to do it every time I wear them.</p> <p><b>NancyW</b>, well that would certainly be a solution!  </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262525 Sat, 07 May 2022 21:05:08 +0000 NancyW 2262525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am currently looking for white sneakers with black soles </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262520 Sat, 07 May 2022 20:31:02 +0000 JAileen 2262520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use a paste of Bon Ami and an old toothbrush, and rinse carefully under the faucet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cleaning-white-soles-on-sneakers#post-2262517 Sat, 07 May 2022 19:29:03 +0000 Kyle 2262517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nail polish remover for the white sides of sneakers. I used it on mine this morning. For the bottoms, mix a paste of hot water, laundry detergent or dish soap, and baking soda. Spread it on, let sit for awhile, then scrub with a brush and rinse. </p>