I Asked an Expert—This Is How to Keep Your White Trainers Looking Like New

Talk me through the process of cleaning white leather sneakers at home, step by step. 

“First, take a bowl and add 200ml of lukewarm water and a small amount of a cleaning solution. Take out your laces and place them in the bowl to sit, then remove the insoles from your sneakers. Use a dry brush to dust off any loose dirt or grime, then dip the brush into the cleaning solution and scrub the uppers. Use a microfibre cloth to remove any standing water or foam and repeat this process a few times for best results. 

Then, lay the insoles on a flat surface and use the same process as you did with the uppers—maintaining the insoles is hygienic and helps prevent odours. Keeping the shoe in an upright position so no dirty excess water runs onto the uppers, scrub the soles. We clean these last to avoid contaminating the solution before cleaning uppers.

Rub the laces vigorously in your hands to create a foam, then lather and wipe them with a microfibre cloth. If stubborn stains remain, simply lay them on a flat surface and scrub them with a brush.

Leave everything to dry at room temperature (it’s important not to use artificial heat or radiators). Once dry, replace the insoles and lace up the sneakers, finishing with a quick deodorising spray to give them a fresh scent.”