How to refresh my white leather sneakers? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to refresh my white leather sneakers?

MsMary

Veteran

I wore my favorite white leather sneaks the other day for what I thought would be a trip to just look at Smith Rock in Oregon. (As in Pic 1) Instead we ended up having a fabulous hike down by the river and it was just amazing! (Pic 2) The bad news is my bright white sneaks got all dusty, like Hubby's (street) shoes in Pic 3! (We said Pic 4 is going to be our album cover if we decide to form a band!)

Do you think I can toss them in the washing machine? Or is there another way to restore them to nice bright whiteness? Or are these sneaks going to be demoted to grubby wear? Help!

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from April

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What are they made of?

(And, love your album cover....)

MsMary

Veteran

Oops, sorry! Leather sneakers! (Will edit above, too!)

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Gorgeous scenery!

Saddle soap & elbow grease for the sneakers, maybe finish with shoe cream (the kind you work in, not the kind that’s basically paint).

What’s your band name?

Runcarla

Veteran

Wipe them down with a damp cloth and use one of those Mr. Clean sponges to remove any marks. I wouldn’t put leather in the wash, or apply too much of any product that will either cake on or draw more dirt. Maybe a minuscule dab of mink oil (in cream format) to restore a little lustre - but not so much that they become super shiny. (That’s what I do with my white leather Vans.)

Sal

Veteran

I wash down with sard soap and water, and use microfibre cloth to clean. I think Jif/Cif also works. I wash laces in the machine in a lingerie bag.

Looks like a fab spot and great band photo.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m on my phone so can’t look it up, but Angie did a post about cleaning white shoes probably about 2 years ago.

Anonymous

Yes to one of those whitening sponges! Loooove the pics!
*flies to Oregon to hike with Ms Mary*

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Best pictures to accompany cleaning question award goes to MsMary!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Some advice from Angie:

Clean light footwear with moist wipes, a magic eraser, or nail polish remover: Moist wipes remove grime a lot more successfully than you might expect. Light-coloured suede shoes are best cleaned with a moist magic eraser. And nail polish remover is particularly effective at removing black marks on white or light leather.

For my white leather, I've used wipes, Mr. Clean eraser, and sometimes a damp cloth with Oxyclean sprayed on it.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I've had no issues with putting my leather trainers in the washing machine.

I put them in with some towels on a low temp with no spin.

Once out I stuff them with paper towels to keep the shape and aid drying.

They do take a long time to dry though.

kkards

Veteran

I think the how to clean has been answered, i just want to add how nice it is to see you again, and those pictures are fab and along with Jenny’s travel pictures really making me want to travel and see the PNW and the west coast in general

Joy

Veteran

What Kkards said. I miss your outfits. Looks like a beautiful place to walk.

RobinF

Veteran

Gorgeous views!

MsMary

Veteran

Wow, thanks for all the advice and kind words!

And just for fun, here's the "cover" from our "debut album:" two years ago in Bolzano, Italy! Alas, we lost the "drummer!"

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April

Veteran

MM, as you know, drummers have a way of spontaneously combusting... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZrqC5LL_oo It's just not really widely reported.

When your band plays a club in NYC or CT, we'll come see you. I'll be the one wearing a blue silk dress.

MsMary

Veteran

Coming back to update. JUST THIS ONCE, I tossed them in the washer with a load of white towels (in separate lingerie bags) and dried them outside in the sun. Voila! Good as new!

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

They look great!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Amazing!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW. And they were leather too! Glad things worked out after the machine wash.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm glad machine washing worked for you

April

Veteran

YAY! After many (many) years of dealing with extremely stinky soccer sneakers (football boots, to most of the world), I can say that a toss in the wash rarely does much harm.

Now, the shinguards -- those can go directly into the dishwasher. Top rack only, of course...