How to Clean a White Sole?

A white sole always looks great, working well with a white, colorful or black upper alike and giving the shoes a distinctive character.

It has one drawback, though: it gets dirty quickly and is often hard to clean, especially during the fall and winter season. So here are a few ways to wash a white sole effectively.

Clean Your Shoes Regularly

Consistency is the key to success. Experienced sneakerheads will surely agree that it is best to clean a white sole after every outing; doing so helps prevent dirt buildup. Wipe it down with a cloth and a specialized product, such as CREP Protect.

A good idea is to choose the CREP Cure Travel travel kit, which is small and fits in any bag or suitcase. Another great option is to buy cleaning wipes: CREP Protect Wipes. They are single-use, each individually wrapped. So you can toss a few into a purse or backpack and use them when needed. 

Avoid “all-purpose” products. If you want to wash athletic shoes, make sure the product is designed specifically for this type of footwear.

If you don't have such a product, use a solution of warm water and soap, or just water. But be careful not to soak the upper while cleaning.

When you're in a hurry or traveling, we can use the “last minute” method and use a gentle makeup remover and a cotton pad, or ready-made wipes soaked in a makeup-removing solution.

A Homemade Method for Special Tasks

This three-step method will let you remove heavier dirt when you don't have a dedicated cleaning product. You probably already have the necessary items at home, and if not, they're available at a nearby store.

1. Get baking soda, white vinegar, a small container, an old toothbrush and a clean white cloth (an old T-shirt will do; muslin is good).
2. Make a paste of baking soda and white vinegar in the container and apply it to the white soles with an old toothbrush. Leave the paste to dry for a few minutes.
3. Remove the paste with the toothbrush and wipe the shoes with a white cloth (dampened with water).

What to Do When the White Sole Turns Yellow?

When we've been using our shoes for a while, it may happen that the white sole turns yellow. What to do in that situation? First of all, don't use household bleaching agents, as this may harm the shoes.

There are special products designed for unyellowing and that is the only right solution in this situation. Such products can be bought, for example, from online stores specializing in shoe cleaning and care products. When using the product, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

In most cases, besides a professional whitening agent, we'll also need plastic wrap and sunny weather. 

Whichever cleaning method you use, after washing the sole you should not expose the shoes to the sun, as this may contribute to yellowing. Leave them to dry in a shaded place. 

Remember that the safest way to clean a sole is to use products designed specifically for that purpose. If you want to be sure your shoes won't be ruined, we advise getting just such a product. 

Besides that, in line with the saying “prevention is better than cure,” let's remember to wipe the soles regularly, even with a gentle cloth soaked in warm water. This will help prevent yellowing and the buildup of dirt that is hard to remove in larger amounts.