When it comes to being a parent, there's one struggle above all that's pretty universal: keeping white things white. Whether it's furniture, carpets, your clothes, or your kids', few things last more than a few days — or even minutes -— before they're hit with a big stain or general grubbiness. Not only are white shoes hard to keep away from dirt, but when they do get dirty, they can be even harder to clean. Luckily, whether your kids have white sneakers, a favorite pair of white sandals, or anything in between, you can keep them white if you have these tricks up your sleeve.
Suede Shoes or Boots — With fabrics like suede, it's important that you don't use just any product on them. If your kids have a pair of white suede shoes, remove scuff marks first with a suede brush. If that doesn't work, try using a pencil eraser (we recommend a white one!), and rub the stains gently. If your kids' suede shoes have mud on them, make sure you let it dry before attempting to clean them. Really tough stains like blood will require some white vinegar to get them white again. White Sneakers — One of the best ways to clean a pair of white sneakers is with products you probably have somewhere at home already. First, rinse the sneakers, then mix one part baking soda and one and a half parts of laundry detergent together. You'll want to scrub this mixture into the shoes, paying close attention to areas with stains, using a toothbrush. When you think you've covered all of the stained areas, rinse them with water, and throw the shoes into the washing machine. You can finish the process off with a sprinkle of baby powder before letting them dry out! See how this recipe worked for one particular Twitter user. White Sandals — Sandals are the reigning king of shoes for the Summer. They're great for all ages because they're easy to slip on and for their supercasual appearance. But that doesn't mean you won't want to keep them clean, especially nicer pairs. Most sandals (excluding those made of leather) can be cleaned with baking soda and warm water, much like white sneakers. You can use a toothbrush to scrub them gently, then just rinse, wipe clean, and let them air-dry. White Leather Shoes or Boots — Your kids' white leather shoes or boots take a bit more everyday maintenance to keep them white. You should wipe white leather regularly with a microfiber cloth to get rid of surface marks. For tougher stains, you can either use a leather-specific cleaner or opt for a homemade mixture of warm water and a few drops each of dish soap and white vinegar. Dampen the cloth with the mixture, being careful not to overload it with too much moisture, then wipe and scrub the leather. Use another microfiber cloth, dampened with clean water, to wipe away the stains and solution.
