White leather shoes are a statement piece in the fashion world. They are stylish and classic for both men and women and always look good on the wearer. But let’s be honest, keeping them clean is no easy task. Scuffs, stains, and everyday dirt seem to find their way onto the pristine surface almost instantly. The good news? With the right cleaning techniques, you can keep your white leather shoes looking as fresh as the day you got them.

If you love the crisp look of clean shoes but want something easier to maintain, Vessi offers a great alternative. Made with waterproof, stain-resistant materials, they’re designed to handle life’s messes while keeping you stylish and comfortable. But if you're committed to keeping your white leather shoes spotless, let’s dive into the best cleaning methods to restore their brilliance.

How Often Should You Clean White Leather Shoes?

In any case, white leather shoes should be cleaned right after you wear them. The only thing you need to do is wash them barely with water; that is, you are required to wipe them with a damp cloth or use a soft brush to dust off any encrustation.

Soil and stains are easier to wash away once they are new and not after accumulating on the shoes over time. However, if the shoes are too dirty, you need to wash them using a more intense washing method. You also need to properly wash your clean white leather sneakers if you plan on storing them for an extended duration.

5 Methods for Cleaning White Leather Shoes

Before you begin

Get your leather shoes ready for cleaning before cleaning. Insoles and shoe laces should be removed and washed in a separate bucket or container. They can, however, be washed by hand with liquid soap and a soft brush. Subsequently, air dry them and let them dry before re-packing them in the shoes. Or, washing them inside a mesh garment bag via a washing machine would also be a good to go. If they already have stains, wash them with bleach. But be careful to follow the instructions. 

If your shoes are muddy, wash them using a dry toothbrush or a small, soft brush. Additionally, do not forget to brush the area surrounded by the rubber soles and the outer edges of the tongue. Moisten a cotton/microfiber cloth with clean water, and then, using the cloth, gently clean the surface of your entire shoe to remove debris. Focus all the efforts on seams and any crevices where dust or dirt could be lodged, and then let the shoes sit for roughly 15 minutes before attempting to remove any remaining moisture.

1. How to clean white leather shoes using baking soda

You will need the following materials:

• Baking soda paste

• Microfiber or cotton cloth

• Soft toothbrush

Baking soda serves as an excellent cleaner for removing tough marks from any type of leather footwear, including sneakers, white canvas shoes and formal shoes. Follow these steps:

1. Use the baking soda mixture with a scrub brush and an old toothbrush to clean your shoes. Work the paste onto stubborn stains first, if any exist on your leather footwear.

2. Work the paste into the leather by scrubbing using a circular motion.

3. Collect the shoes with baking soda for thirty minutes until they achieve dryness.

4. Rinse the shoes with clean water and a cotton cloth.

5. Follow the same process several times until the stain disappears.

6. After wiping away the residue with a clean cloth dampened with water, leave the shoes to dry naturally in a spot protected from sunlight.

7. First, ensure the dryness of the shoes; afterwards, apply leather conditioner.

2. How to clean white leather shoes using white toothpaste

You will need the following materials:

• White toothpaste (non-gel variety)

• Nylon brush or cotton rug

• Toothbrush

• Microfiber cloth

White toothpaste is another great solution for cleaning white leather shoes. Ensure your toothpaste is completely white, as colored toothpaste and gels will stain the shoes. Follow these steps:

1. Use a wet rag or towel to dampen the outside of your shoe. Ensure the rag is not oversaturated with water, as this can spoil your shoe over time. Then, pass the damp cloth over your entire shoe to remove the initial dirt.

2. Put dabs of toothpaste over the stained areas of your shoes and rub them into the leather with your fingers. 

3. Work in small, circular motions to scrub the toothpaste using a toothbrush. Continue rubbing until the stain breaks up as you rub the toothpaste around the entire shoe. 

4. Wipe the toothpaste with a towel to remove what was left after cleaning. If you find it difficult to remove the toothpaste, dampen the rag with warm water and rub it off. 

5. Wipe your shoes with a rag or microfiber cloth to dry them. The shoes should be completely dry before using them.

3. How to clean white leather shoes using olive oil and vinegar

You will need the following materials:

• Olive oil

• White vinegar

• Spray bottle

• Cotton or microfiber cloth

Follow these steps to clean white leather shoes with olive oil and vinegar:

1. Mix vinegar and olive oil in a medium-sized spray bottle. Their ratio should be 1:2 for the vinegar and olive oil. Tightly shake the bottle to combine all ingredients. You need to maintain continuous shaking while using the separated mixture.

2. Spread the solution thickly across all parts of your shoes. Add more solutions to your shoes when you see stubborn spots of discoloration or dirt. Meanwhile, make sure to coat the entire surface with the solution.

3. Allow the solution to soak into the leather material for five minutes so it unclogs stains and extracts dirt and residues.
   

4. After soaking the shoes with the mixture, allow 5 minutes, then remove the solution with a dry cloth. The cleaning solution should carry dirt and stains as it exits along with the product. Using cotton and microfiber cloths when cleaning your shoes will protect against surface scratches.

5. Dry the shoe through repeated wiping, after which it will become clean.

4. How to clean white leather shoes with soapy water

You will need the following materials:

• Water

• Liquid dish soap

• Paper towel

• Eraser sponge

Follow these steps to clean your white leather shoes.

1. Mix liquid dish soap with a warm cup of water.

2. Use a toothbrush dipped in this soapy water to scrub the entire shoe gently. 

3. Remove any scuffs or stains using an eraser sponge.

4. Wipe the shoes with a dry and not highly damp cloth.
   

5. Place paper towels inside each shoe to soak up excess wetness. The inside wrapping of paper towels aids both shape preservation as well as natural drying time of the shoes when they dry.

5. How to clean white leather shoes with bleach 

What you will need:

• Bleach

• Water

• Microfiber cloth

• Gloves

When your shoes have stubborn stains, you should employ bleach and exercise careful precautions. Wear protective equipment because improper use of bleach leads to allergic reactions as well as respiratory difficulties. Use a ventilated space along with gloves before cleaning your white shoes or leather shoes with bleach. Follow these steps:

1. Mix up warm water with bleach at a ratio of 5:1: five parts warm water and one part bleach. Too much bleach can lead to the yellowing of your shoes. 

2. Use a toothbrush or sponge to loosen the dirt and stains.

3. Dip a microfibre tower into the bleach mixture and wring it out to remove the extra solution. 

4. Blot the entire shoe with the towel.

5. Rinse the shoe with a cloth dampened with warm water.

6. Dry the shoes in a well-ventilated room. 

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clean White Leather Shoes

1. What is the best thing to clean white leather?

It is said that you can clean white leather with olive oil, vinegar, or toothpaste. To use, dilute olive oil and vinegar at a ratio of 1:2 by pouring half a portion of olive oil and one-fourth of the vinegar into a spray bottle. Rub the solution gently onto the stained area and let it stand for five minutes. Clean with a damp cotton cloth. Do not use bleach or ammonia-based products, which will severely damage the leather.

To clean white leather with toothpaste:

1. Dampen the stained area with a damp cloth.

2. Apply a bit of white, non-gel toothpaste on the stain.

3. Scrub away the stain using a soft toothbrush.

4. Wipe the shoes with a clean cloth, then dry them with a towel.

Toothpaste is also effective in removing scuffs.

2. How do you make white leather white again?

If your white leather shoes are no longer white, you can make them white using a bleach solution. For a cleaning solution, dilute the bleach using 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. The toothbrush that has been used previously should be dipped into the solution, followed by the soiled sections of the shoes. If you are not ready to use the brush, just wet it with water and start rubbing on the stains until they fade away.

3. Can you get stains out of white leather shoes?

If you have not washed out your white leather shoes with a bleach solution or baking soda paste, you should try this cleaner. The good thing is that other stains are removed from the white leather shoes while using the cleaner. The recipe for this spray is two hydrogen peroxide, two water, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil in a spray bottle.

Grease stains require a clean white cloth to be placed beneath the stained area, then spray the area with this cleaner. Blot the stain using a circular motion with the help of a dry microfiber cloth. Wash it thoroughly with clean water and avoid using a dryer; dry the shoe at room temperature.