Whether you love them for sport or fashion, white sneakers have been one of the most popular types of shoes for generations.

From the clean white canvas shoes you could wear to a casual lunch, to the high-performance sports footwear chosen by top athletes around the world, the range and style of this type of shoe make it an enduring classic.

Yet, despite their popularity, there’s no escaping that this iconic footwear comes with a challenge - keeping them clean and white.

Keeping any type of shoe looking like new can be difficult, but white shoes are notoriously difficult to maintain, as scuffs, stains, and dirt inevitably make their mark.

What happens when those once-white sneakers start to lose their crisp, clean freshness?

If you’re keen to restore your sneakers to their former box-fresh glory, this step-by-step guide is for you.

We’ll share how to clean white sneakers so they look as good as the day you bought them. And we’ll also introduce you to Boot Buddy - the 3-in-1 tool that’s going to make light work of refreshing your favorite white sneakers.

There are essentially two steps to getting your white sneakers looking as good as new.

The first step is to clean them - to get rid of any dirt and remove stains. The second step is to brighten them and help them regain their former whiteness.

The range of white sneaker styles is vast, and the specific instructions for cleaning different types of fabric and materials can vary.

Here are some things to consider when planning your sneaker refresh.

The first step for cleaning any kind of shoe is to remove any loose dirt or caked-on mud.

You can use an old toothbrush to do this, or anything with the right size brush head or scraping edge. If you spend a lot of time cleaning sneakers, or you’re particularly keen to do a thorough job, it can be a good idea to invest in a specially-designed shoe cleaning brush or tool.

Once you’ve removed as much as you can with a brush or scraper, the next step may be to carefully rinse the shoe with water or a cleaning solution.

Caution: some shoes can be damaged by too much water, so it’s advisable to check what material your sneakers are made from and adjust this cleaning stage to suit.

If you’re cleaning robust sports footwear, you can usually rinse the shoe with plenty of water and use your brush to scrub away the dirt. (Remove the inner soles first, to avoid odors and speed up drying time.)

If you’re dealing with fashion leather shoes, especially expensive ones or those with mixed fabrics, use water sparingly to wash or wipe away any remaining mud or dirt. You can use a soft cloth dipped in a cleaning solution, such as dish soap in warm water.

Some types of canvas and cloth shoes can be damaged or stained by water, so it’s best to avoid unnecessary rinsing or dabbing. If you’ve removed all the loose dirt and mud, gently wipe the shoe with a damp cloth or paper towel, taking care not to rub in any bits of remaining debris.

Suede is one of the most difficult materials to clean, especially when it comes to shoes. It’s best to avoid water-based solutions, as these may damage the nap and spoil the appearance of the shoe. If you’ve removed as much dirt as possible with a brush or scraper, it’s advisable to clean any remaining dirt using a specialist cleaning block or solution formulated for suede fabrics.

Once you’ve removed loose dirt and mud, the next step is to address any stains. Just as methods vary when cleaning your shoes, stain removal tips vary depending on the type of material.

Specialist shoe cleaning blocks are available to buy for shoes that may be stained by water. These have been specifically designed to deal with stains from a wide variety of shoe materials, and can be highly effective at removing unsightly marks and blemishes from white sneakers.

If your shoes can tolerate a modest amount of moisture, such as white leather shoes, a classic method for removing stains is to make a paste using baking soda and white vinegar. Apply the paste evenly over the surface of the shoe, using a toothbrush or shoe-cleaning tool, and leave it to harden. Once it’s dry, remove the dried paste using a clean soft cloth or paper towel.

If your sneakers can cope with a cycle in the washing machine, you may be able to pre-treat any stains with your usual laundry stain remover, paying careful attention to the instructions and how long to leave the solution on the shoes.

Whichever option you choose to address stains on your white sneakers, it’s a good idea to do a spot test the first time. Apply your chosen solution to a part of the shoe that’s not usually visible and let it air dry, to ensure that it doesn’t damage the shoe or leave an unsightly mark.

So, you’ve cleaned off the dirt and mud and carefully removed any stains - but your favorite white sneakers are still not quite as impressive as the day you bought them.

It’s time for the second step in our guide; the whiten & brighten stage.

When it comes to shoe-whitening and brightening, there are essentially two options.

If you’re happy to use a chemical-based solution on your sneakers, bleach is the classic choice for restoring whites. Options include specialist shoe-cleaning solutions, a homemade mix of bleach and water, or for spot-cleaning, you can use a bleach pen, which offers more accuracy.

The classic choice for a homemade whitening mix is baking soda - a great option for delicate white canvas shoes and fabric shoes.

Create a paste with an equal amount of water, and apply using a clean brush or cloth. Work the paste into the shoe in small circular motions and gently scrub, then leave it to work its magic for 15-30 minutes.

For an extra brightening boost, add a splash of white vinegar - again, do a spot test first to make sure the solution isn’t too harsh for the fabric.

Now you’ve got the inside scoop on how to keep your white shoes clean - would you like to learn how to make the whole process much easier?

Meet Boot Buddy. It’s a 3-in-1 shoe-cleaning tool that you can use on a wide variety of sneakers. Simply fill the handle with your chosen cleaning solution, and then use the brush head or scraper head to remove dirt and mud. You can apply your cleaning mix directly to the shoe and work it into any stubborn marks or stains.

We designed Boot Buddy to be lightweight and compact, so you can easily take it with you to sports meets, festivals, holidays, etc. Regular cleaning and maintenance is one way to take the best care of white shoes, and with a portable handy tool, you can dispatch mud and grime ASAP, so it doesn’t stain those bright white sneakers.

Now you know how to restore dull, tired, or stained sneakers to their former brightness, you’re well-equipped to take excellent care of your favorite shoes.

To keep them clean and bright - and to cut down the time you spend cleaning shoes - remember to clean off mud and stains as soon as possible, which is why the Boot Buddy is perfect for on-the-go cleaning.

So, if you want a simple solution for keeping your white sneakers looking clean, crisp, and bright, take a look at our Boot Buddy range below.