How To Clean White Mesh Shoes

Are your white mesh shoes looking, well…not so white? White mesh shoes can get pretty filthy over time. Luckily, learning how to clean them is simple. Grab an old toothbrush and a few household cleaning products – it is time to make them look fresh again!

How To Clean White Mesh Shoes

Mesh and canvas-like material is used to create a wide variety of shoes. There are some very popular mesh shoes, such as Hey Dudes, Converse, and Allbirds. However, like any great shoe, you are often faced with the same problem: How do you keep white mesh shoes clean?

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Table of Contents

How Do You Clean White Mesh Shoes At Home?

Whenever you clean white mesh shoes, use an old toothbrush to gently clean the canvas material and rubber sole. This will always produce a better result than harsh chemicals and will help preserve the shoes.
White mesh shoes are made of cotton canvas and rubber, so it is important to make sure when you clean them to test the cleaning products on the different materials.
You should have a routine set in place to deep clean your white mesh shoes frequently. Without a system in place, your white mesh shoes can become extremely dirty.

The following steps will aid you in the deep cleaning process of your white mesh shoes and restore them to pristine condition. This process will also give your mesh shoes a longer life. Once your mesh shoes are cleaned, follow the additional steps below to protect them over time.

What You Need:

Small Tub
Old Toothbrush/A Soft Bristle Brush
Dawn Dish Soap
Microfiber Cloth

Steps to Cleaning Dirty White Mesh Shoes at Home

First, take your shoes outside and gently knock them together to remove any loose dirt.
Remove the laces and pull the tongue forward to prepare them for a deep cleaning.
Pour a small amount of water onto your shoes and using that old toothbrush, agitate the dirt starting from the leather portion down to the sole of the shoe.
Next, put a cup of water into your plastic tub along with a few drops of dawn dish soap, and mix them together. Using the toothbrush, cover the shoes in the soapy water liquid. Proceed to scrub the shoes in small circular motions, removing as much dirt and debris as possible.
Working from top to bottom, clean your white mesh shoes thoroughly to ensure you are cleaning the entire shoe. Rinse the brush often for best results.
Once all the dirt has been agitated with the toothbrush, use a damp microfiber towel to wipe away excess dirt and soap.
Once all the dirt is removed, dry the shoes with a towel and leave them out to dry. Avoid direct sunlight as that can cause yellow spots to appear on the leather.

How to Clean Mesh Shoe Laces

Restoring white mesh shoe laces to their original glory is a very simple process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Dirty Mesh Shoe Laces
A Plastic Tub
Out White Bright

Cleaning white mesh shoe laces is a simple process. Fill up a plastic tub with warm water and add a few drops of dawn dish soap. Place the laces in the mixture and let them soak for 15 minutes
After the laces have soaked, run the laces through your fingers to eliminate as much dirt as possible. Rinse them in clean water, and if desirably clean, leave them to dry overnight
For VERY STAINED LACES, fill up a plastic tub with 10 cups of water. Add one cup of Out White Bright, place the dirty laces in the mixture and let them soak for 5 hours
1. Once they have soaked, rinse with clean water and your laces will be brand new again. If your laces are damaged beyond repair, you can purchase new white laces here.

How to Clean Yellow Mesh Shoe Soles

Maybe your white mesh shoes are clean, but the soles have turned yellow. This is actually oxidation, which is a reaction that occurs between the rubber and oxygen in the air. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take. Checkout our in-depth guide here on how to clean yellow soles.

How to Clean & Prevent Yellow Stains On White Mesh Shoes

If you are looking for one of the most effective ways to clean yellow soles or stains on white mesh shoes, this method is one of the best we’ve found.

What You Will Need:

Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Soft Bristle Brush

Older white shoes will require this more than newer shoes, but it’s never too early to start. The more often you do it, the less chance oxidation will have to build up.

In a small container, mix equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar until a watery paste is formed.
Using a toothbrush, work the paste into the sole of the shoe (or other impacted areas) in small circular motions.
After the entire shoe is covered in paste, allow it to sit for 10 minutes for the de-oxidation to occur.
Wipe the shoe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

How To Deodorize White Mesh Shoes

If we are being honest, sometimes our shoes start to stink! Here’s how to deodorize your white mesh shoes.

Option #1: Place a dryer sheet in each shoe, and let it sit for 24 hours. These dryer sheets will absorb any liquid that may be in the shoe, and help mask the overall odor. For the best result, do this multiple times within a few day period to eliminate as much stench as possible.

Option #2: Mix ¼ cup of baking powder, ¼ cup of baking powder, and ½ cup of cornstarch. Once the mixture is created, pour it into two cotton socks and place them in the shoes overnight. This will greatly improve the smell of your white mesh shoes.

How to Clean Black Mesh Shoes

Black mesh shoes hide dirt better but can be cleaned in the same way as white mesh shoes. To see these steps in detail, follow the same guide above for removing oxidation as well as how to do a deep cleaning at home.

How to Keep Your White Mesh Shoes Clean

The last thing you want to do after cleaning your white mesh shoes at home is to do it again soon after.

Whether you’re rocking white mesh shoes or any other sneaker you care about, you should always use a spray sneaker protectant.

These sprays create a barrier that is difficult for stains to penetrate which keeps your shoes looking fresh. Once your shoes are clean, consider one of our favorite shoe protectants below to keep your shoes looking fresh for longer.