I tried a trainer cleaning method to get my grubby shoes sparkling white again

I live and die by my white Reeboks – they’re super comfortable, go with almost anything and are a staple in my wardrobe. But because they get heavy usage, they also have a tendency to get grubby fast – especially trekking the streets of London.

When I noticed my beloved white trainers were taking on a more grey-ish hue – especially on the laces – I decided it was time for a much-needed scrubbing. This method from cnet.com was the one I decided to try out as it only called for things I already had in my home – and it promised to leave my shoes gleaming like (almost) new.

To try out this cleaning method yourself you’ll need:

Firstly, remove your laces and any inserts from your shoes. Mix ¼ cup of bleach with 3 litres of water in a large bowl and place the laces and any inserts inside. Let these sit for an hour as you get cracking on the rest of the shoes.

Use the toothbrush to remove any loose dirt particles from your shoes – if your shoes are really dirty, it’s best to do this over the bin to minimise mess. 

From here, mix the baking soda or white vinegar with an equal amount of water – I went for baking soda so it formed a paste, which I then used a soft cloth to apply it over the exterior of my shoes starting from the top and working my way down the sides.

Then, mix a small amount of detergent and water in another bowl and use a clean cloth to dip in the solution and gently rub the shoe clean.

If the fabric parts of your shoes are looking a little grubby still, use the toothpaste to gently clean the fabric.

From here, gently remove any residue with a damp clean cloth and leave your shoes somewhere to dry -preferably out of direct sunlight.

Don’t forget to rescue your laces from their bleach bath – wash them thoroughly either by hand or in the washing machine, and then replace them in your now sparkling shoes. 

I will say the one thing I noticed was that although my shoes were not exactly gleaming, they were definitely whiter – and the addition of toothpaste in the cleaning regime left them lightly scented like mint.

I was glad I hadn’t used vinegar, as that could have been deeply unpleasant. Overall, this method did work but it was a little time consuming. However, if you want whiter shoes at a low price point, it’s pretty good.