Tips

“Should You Use Bleach to Clean Your Shoes?”

Absolutely not! While bleach is a powerful cleaning agent and can deliver impressive stain removal and whitening results, it is not suitable for cleaning shoes.

Administrator

29 July, 2024

When it comes to shoe care and cleaning, many people turn to specialized products designed for this purpose. But what about bleach? Is it a viable option for shoe cleaning and care?

Should You Use Bleach to Clean Your Shoes?

While bleach is commonly used to clean and maintain our daily household items, it can also be an effective method for cleaning shoes. However, before considering this approach, it is crucial to understand the safety and effectiveness of using bleach for shoe cleaning.

Bleach is a powerful chemical agent that helps remove stains, mold, and discoloration from various surfaces. When used properly, it can be highly effective in cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing items. Nevertheless, it may reduce the lifespan of your shoes due to the following reasons:

– Bleach often contains strong whitening compounds that can increase alkalinity in the solution, damaging the fabric of white shoes, causing discoloration, and weakening the shoe material.

– Soaking shoes in a bleach solution for an extended period can corrode the rubber soles, affecting their adhesion and original shape. For athletic shoes, this can impact the sole’s traction and friction.

– Using bleach of unknown origin or containing unsafe additives may leave stubborn yellow stains on the shoe surface, challenging to remove and diminishing the shoe’s natural beauty.

– Bleach can leave an unpleasant odor on shoes after cleaning.

– Certain bleach ingredients can be irritating and harmful to your health, especially if they come into direct contact with your skin or eyes. This increases the risk of skin allergies, infections, and eye damage.

– Using large amounts of bleach to clean shoes can harm the environment when the bleach-laden water enters the wastewater system. It creates dangerous toxins that take years to dissipate.

Is it advisable to use bleach to clean shoes? (Source: Shutterstock)

So, should you use bleach to clean your shoes? It depends on the shoe material. For white shoes, it is advisable to use cleaning products specifically designed for this purpose.

Avoid using overly strong bleach solutions and prolonged soaking. Opt for a soft brush and gentle cleaning to prevent damage to the shoe material and shape.

Refrain from machine-washing and drying shoes with heaters, as this can deform them and damage the material.

To maintain the cleanliness and longevity of your shoes, establish a regular cleaning routine.

Tips for Cleaning Stained White Shoes

With readily available household ingredients, you can easily remove stains from your white shoes. The following tips will help you restore your shoes to their pristine condition.

Baking Soda and White Vinegar

A simple mixture of baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water can effectively remove those stubborn yellow stains that often appear on shoe fabric after a few months of wear.

Combine a teaspoon each of white vinegar, salt, and hot water in a bowl. Apply this mixture to your shoes using a brush or an old toothbrush. Gently scrub both the soles and fabric, then let your shoes air dry in direct sunlight for at least 3-4 hours. Finally, remove any remaining powder by gently knocking the shoes together. This method also helps eliminate unpleasant odors caused by bacteria buildup inside the shoes.

Baking Soda and Detergent

For a thorough cleaning of white canvas shoes, start by removing the laces and soaking them in water before applying the whitening mixture.

Wet the shoes and laces with warm water. Create a paste by mixing baking soda and detergent in a 1:1 ratio. Use a brush or an old toothbrush to apply the paste to the shoes, paying extra attention to stubborn stains. Finally, rinse or soak the shoes again to remove the soap mixture, and use a sponge and a small cloth to wipe them dry.

Effective tip to clean white shoes with baking soda (Source: Jacob Fox)

Milk and Salt

When your white shoes start to turn yellow, it’s time for a deep clean to restore their original brightness.

Soak your shoes for at least 3 hours in a mixture of half a cup of coarse salt and 1 liter of milk. Gently scrub them with a brush to remove any remaining stains, then clean them again with soap and let them air dry in a well-ventilated area.

Salt and Soap Water

With any soap readily available at home and some coarse salt, you can easily remove stubborn stains from your beloved white shoes. Salt is also excellent for deodorizing shoes.

Use a dry brush to remove excess dirt from the shoes’ interior and exterior. Then, apply at least 150 grams of salt to the shoes and let it sit for an hour. Finally, wash the shoes with cold water and liquid soap.

Toothpaste

For shoes made of thin fabric, a gentler cleaning approach is necessary. Use an old toothbrush to apply toothpaste to the stained areas of the shoes until they turn white again (don’t forget to clean the dirt along the sole’s edges). Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then use a damp cloth or a clean sponge to wipe away the toothpaste. You’ll be amazed at the results.

According to VTC News

Frequently asked questions

While bleach can be effective in removing stains and whitening shoes, it should be used with caution as it can also damage certain materials and cause discoloration if not used properly. It is recommended to spot test on a small area first and always dilute the bleach with water before applying it to your shoes.

It is generally safe to use bleach on white canvas shoes and some synthetic materials. However, you should avoid using bleach on leather, suede, and other delicate fabrics as it can damage and discolor them. Always check the care label or manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning your shoes with bleach.