How To Bring Dirty White Sneakers Back To Life!
[0:00:00] Your sneakers – pristine, white, clean,
beautiful. Well, they used to be, but now, they’re
covered in dirt and stains. I’m afraid it’s too late for them. You have to throw them
away. [Music]
Just kidding. Thomas, with Real Men Real Style here. And today, I’m going to show you how
to easily bring your white sneakers back to life. And don’t worry, in this video, we’re
going to over both canvas and leather sneakers. Step number one. Throw them in the washing
machine. Wrong! Although, you can clean your canvas
sneakers in the washing machine, this put a lot of excess wear and tear on them. And
throwing a leather sneakers in the washing machine is a hard no. This will leave a lot
of creases in the upper and will dry up the leather.
Let’s try again. Step number one. Preparation. Cover your work space with newspaper or a
rug. Now, remove the laces from your shoes. We’re going to clean this separately. I
recommend putting in shoetrees. This will help your sneakers keep their shape during
the cleaning process and make it much easier to scrub away at the stains.
Step number two. Remove the dirt. Before we get to the heavy duty cleaning, you want to
take a soft bristle brush, preferably made from horse hair and wipe away any loose dirt.
Failure to do this means you’ll be rubbing all the dirt and grit into your shoes later
while you’re trying to clean, which can easily scratch your leather sneakers. Work
the brush over the entire shoe, making sure to get into all the gaps and crevices.
Step number three. Shoe cleaner. Many brands sell cleaner specifically designed to work
with your sneakers. This particular bottle comes with a built in applicator sponge. You
could also use a regular sponge or a sneaker brush.
Take a white cloth and use it to dampen your shoes. Now, take the cleaner and gently scrub
it over the entire sneaker. Any spots with tougher stains may require extra scrubbing
to work it out. When you’re finished, wipe off the excess
cleaner and let the shoes dry for 30 minutes. This method is effective.
But, what if I told you you can get the same results with things you already have at home?
Step number four. Toothpaste. That’s right, gents, not only just toothpaste clean your
teeth, it does wonders for your sneakers too. Take an old worn out toothbrush or if you
like life on the wild side, your regular toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. Stick with a plain
white toothpaste, avoid gels or paste with color. You don’t want to risk creating new
stains while trying to get rid of the old ones.
Apply a generous glob of toothpaste to the brush and start scrubbing in small circular
motions. The milder bristles in the toothpaste will help lift and scrub away the stains.
Work over the entire surface of the shoe, applying additional toothpaste as needed.
Again, give extra attention to any tough stains or discoloration. Once you’re done, let
the sneaker sit for 10 minutes, then wipe off all remaining toothpastes. If any stains
remain, repeat the process again. Protip. With any product you use, make sure
to spot test it first. Apply a little bit to the tongue, where it will be hidden. So,
you can make sure it won’t discolor or damage your shoe.
The toothpaste method works amazingly on leather sneakers, but it may not cut it with tougher
stains on canvas. So, what’s your other option?
Step number five. Detergent. Sometimes you’ll need something a bit stronger to break through
those tough stains. Add a tablespoon of laundry detergent to a bowl and fill it up with warm
water. Shoot for 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius.
Now, take a brush with medium stiff bristles. You want something a bit stronger to work
on these stains. Dip into the detergent and begin scrubbing the shoe. Work in small circular
motions, making sure to get into all the gaps and crevices.
Rinse your shoes in the sink until you’ve removed all the detergent. Let the shoes sit
out overnight until dry. Quick tip. If you’re having trouble getting
all the marks off the sneaker soles, use a Mr. Clean magic eraser. It does a great job.
Step number six. Clean the laces. Now, let’s tackle those dirty shoe laces. We’re to
go and take those laces and put them in a bowl with a laundry detergent and let them
soak for 20 minutes. Grab that old toothbrush again and scrub the
laces until clean. Give them a quick rinse in the sink and leave them out to dry.
Step number six. Conditioning. The cleaning process will strip away valuable moisture
from your leather shoes, which can lead to cracks forming over time. It’s important
to use a leather shoe conditioner to restore the lost moisture and keep the leather soft
and supple. Apply the conditioner to a clean rag, the
work it over the entire upper of the shoe. Wipe off any excess conditioner and let the
shoe sit to dry for 30 minutes. Step number seven. Protection. There’s no
sense in cleaning your white shoes just to get them dirty all over again. Keep them fresh
longer by applying a protective shoe spray. Read the can to make sure it’s compatible
to the material of your sneakers before applying. Apply two light coats of the spray a few minutes
apart, then let it sit to dry for an hour. Once dry, re-lace your shoes and you’re
good to go. There you have it, gents. Your sneakers are
looking fresh and new again. But, what about your favorite pair of boots that are worn
out? Are they a lost cause or they can also be brought back to life?
Not to worry, gents. I show you how to easily restore your boots in this video right here.
[Music] [0:05:14] End of audio