How to Clean White Trainers Properly: Step by Step

White trainers are the most sought-after and at the same time the most maintenance-hungry shoe in the summer range. Cleaned properly, they look immaculate and can be worn for years. Treated badly, they permanently lose their effect within a few weeks. This guide shows how to clean white trainers correctly for each material, what you should never do — and how to cut the effort to a minimum in future.

Step 0: Which material are your trainers?

The cleaning method depends directly on the material. Treating every white trainer the same way risks irreparable damage. The three relevant categories:

• Canvas/fabric: hard-wearing, tolerates more moisture, but soaks dirt up deeply. Pale streaks after drying are a common problem.
• Smooth leather: resistant to abrasion, but reacts badly to heat and harsh cleaners. Leather can dry out and crack.
• Mesh / net uppers: airy, but dirt settles in the pores. Only gentle cleaning is possible — no brushes.

What you need for cleaning

• A soft toothbrush or shoe brush (medium bristles for canvas, soft for leather)
• A shoe care kit or a mild cleaner (e.g. shoe shampoo, never a detergent containing bleach)
• Clean, white microfibre cloths (no coloured ones, which can transfer dye)
• Lukewarm water in a bowl
• A protector spray for afterwards (optional, but recommended)

You'll find quality trainers and care products in the Chaps London range.

Cleaning canvas trainers: step by step

1. Remove the laces and clean them separately (soak in lukewarm water with a mild detergent, rub them through by hand, air-dry).
2. Knock off the loose dirt. Tap the soles together over a sheet of newspaper and dislodge the larger particles before any water is involved.
3. Mix the cleaning solution. Stir a teaspoon of shoe shampoo or mild washing-up liquid into 500 ml of lukewarm water. No bleach — it yellows the fabric.
4. Work it in with the brush. Dip the brush in the solution and scrub the upper in circular movements. Treat seams and recessed areas particularly thoroughly.
5. Wipe down with a damp cloth. Remove cleaning residue and loosened dirt with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat this step several times.
6. Clean the sole edges. Work on white rubber soles with a melamine sponge (magic eraser) — it reliably removes stubborn discolouration from rubber.
7. Air-dry. Not in the sun and not in the tumble dryer. Direct heat deforms the adhesive and yellows the material. Stuff them with newspaper (to hold their shape) and dry at room temperature.

Cleaning smooth leather trainers: step by step

1. Remove the laces and treat them separately (see above).
2. Dry-clean first. Wipe the surface dirt away with a dry, soft cloth. Leather tolerates less moisture than canvas — the drier the process, the better.
3. Use leather shampoo. Put a small amount of leather shampoo on a soft cloth and work it in with circular movements. Never apply it directly, always via the cloth.
4. Wipe off thoroughly. Take the cleaning residue off with a clean, slightly damp cloth. Don't leave excess water sitting on the leather.
5. Apply leather conditioner. Once dry, work in a colourless leather conditioner. Leather that's conditioned after every clean stays supple and doesn't crack.
6. Clean the sole edges with a melamine sponge, as with canvas trainers.
7. Air-dry and never in direct sunlight.

Cleaning mesh trainers: step by step

1. Be very gentle. Mesh is delicate — no hard brushes, no circular pressure, no hot cleaners.
2. Avoid soaking. Mesh dries slowly; too much moisture encourages mould in the lining.
3. Work with a soft cloth and mild shampoo in straight strokes, always along the fibre, never in circles.
4. Wipe several times with clean water to avoid residue (residue leaves white streaks once dry).
5. Dry stuffed (newspaper or shoe trees) and in the air, never with hot air.

What you should never do

• A hot machine wash: 40 degrees or higher dissolves adhesives, deforms soles and shrinks leather. Canvas trainers can exceptionally be washed at 30 degrees on a delicate cycle — but only simple models with no leather panels.
• The tumble dryer: direct heat permanently deforms every trainer. No exceptions.
• Bleach on fabric: over time it turns the material yellow rather than white.
• Direct sunlight for drying: UV yellows white material. Dry in the shade.
• Abrasive pads on leather: they destroy the surface irreparably.

After cleaning: protecting and storing

A protector spray after every clean extends the interval until the next one considerably. It forms a barrier against water and dirt without noticeably reducing breathability. Applied to freshly cleaned, dry trainers, it absorbs best.

On storage: keep trainers in their original box or a shoe bag, out of direct sunlight. If you own several pairs of white trainers, put a shoe tree in — it holds the shape and speeds up drying.

You'll find the full range of white trainers and care products at Chaps London.

Frequently asked questions about cleaning white trainers

Can I put white trainers in the washing machine?

Canvas trainers with no leather elements can be washed at 30 degrees on a delicate cycle. Leather and mesh trainers shouldn't go in the machine. In general, hand washing is gentler and extends their life considerably.

How do I remove yellowing from white trainers?

Light yellowing can be treated with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a little water: apply it to the affected area, let it dry, brush it off. For stubborn discolouration on the sole, a melamine sponge helps. Deep yellowing in the fabric is usually permanent.

How often should white trainers be cleaned?

A surface clean after every heavy wearing session, a thorough clean every two to four weeks depending on use. Wiping them over briefly with a damp cloth after wearing cuts the effort of the deep clean considerably.

What's the best product for white trainers?

A dedicated shoe shampoo or leather shampoo is always better than a household cleaner. Mild washing-up liquid is an acceptable stopgap for canvas, but shouldn't be used on leather or mesh. Bleach and acetone are unsuitable for white trainers and cause damage.

How do I dry white trainers properly?

Always in the air and in the shade. Stuffed with newspaper or with shoe trees, to keep their shape. No tumble dryer, no direct sun, no radiator. Allow at least 12 hours of drying time before wearing them again.