There is a universal truth in fashion: nothing looks sharper than a fresh pair of white sneakers, and nothing looks sadder than those same sneakers two weeks later. Whether you stepped in a puddle, scuffed them on a curb, or just let the dust of daily life turn them a dingy grey, dirty white shoes can ruin an entire outfit. If you are searching for how to clean white sneakers using toothpaste and baking soda, you have found the holy grail of shoe care. The best direct answer is to create a paste using equal parts white non-gel toothpaste and baking soda, scrub with a toothbrush, and use the “paper towel drying method” to prevent yellowing. In this guide, I will walk you through the chemistry of this homemade whitener and the exact technique to restore your kicks to box-fresh condition.
As a Life Solutions expert, I love this method because it democratizes style. You do not need to buy a $30 premium shoe cleaning kit. The ingredients you need are likely sitting in your bathroom cabinet right now. Over the last four years at Preposts.com, I have tested this specific mixture on everything from heavy-duty Converse canvas to delicate leather Air Force 1s. It works because it combines the gentle abrasion of baking soda with the stain-lifting surfactants found in toothpaste. Today, we are going to save your shoes and your wallet.
Table of Contents
- Why This Combination Works
- The Prep: What You Need
- Step 1: The Dry Brush (Don’t Skip This)
- Step 2: Mixing the “Miracle Paste”
- Step 3: The Scrubbing Technique
- Step 4: The “Marination” Period
- Step 5: The Rinse
- The Critical Step: Preveting Yellow Stains (The “Mummy” Method)
- Cleaning the Laces
- What About Mesh? (Running Shoes)
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Maintenance: Keeping Them Clean
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Why This Combination Works
Before we start scrubbing, let’s look at why this specific duo is so powerful.
- Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): This is a mild abrasive. Its granular texture physically scrapes dirt out of the fabric weave or off the leather surface without being hard enough to scratch the material. It is also a natural deodorizer.
- Toothpaste: Toothpaste is essentially a polishing compound. It contains mild detergents (surfactants) that break down grease and oils, and often contains brightening agents (like titanium dioxide) intended to whiten teeth, which work wonders on white rubber and canvas.
Crucial Warning: You must use white paste toothpaste. Do not use a blue gel, a red-striped gel, or charcoal toothpaste. If you use a colored gel, you will dye your white shoes blue. Stick to the classic, old-school white mint paste.
The Prep: What You Need
Gather your tools before you begin. This can be a messy process, so set up near a sink or lay down a towel.
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
- 1 Tablespoon White Toothpaste
- 1 Tablespoon Warm Water
- An old toothbrush (Soft or Medium bristle)
- A microfiber cloth or sponge
- White paper towels (essential for the drying phase)
Note on Tools: If you are digging an old toothbrush out of your garage tool kit, inspect it first. You don’t want to introduce grease or rust onto your white shoes. If your tools are in rough shape, you might want to read my guide on natural ways to remove rust from tools to ensure everything touching your shoes is clean and safe.
Step 1: The Dry Brush (Don’t Skip This)
The biggest mistake people make is adding water to mud. If your shoes have caked-on dry mud or loose dust, do not wet them yet. If you wet dry dust, it turns into sludge that seeps deep into the fabric fibers.
Take your dry toothbrush (or a stiff shoe brush) and vigorously brush the entire shoe. Clap the soles together outside. Remove as much loose debris as possible. Remove the laces now; we will wash them separately.
Step 2: Mixing the “Miracle Paste”
In a small bowl, mix the baking soda, toothpaste, and warm water.
Stir it with the toothbrush until it forms a runny paste. It should have the consistency of pancake batter or yogurt. If it is too thick, add a few more drops of water. If it is too runny, add more baking soda.
Step 3: The Scrubbing Technique
Now, apply the paste to the shoe. Dip the toothbrush generously into the mixture.
For Canvas (Converse/Vans):
Scrub in small, circular motions. You need to work the paste into the weave of the fabric. Don’t be afraid to apply some pressure. Focus heavily on the toe box and the heel area, as these attract the most dirt.
For Leather (Stan Smiths/Air Force 1s):
Be gentler. You are polishing the surface, not scrubbing a fabric. If you scrub too hard on leather, you can scuff the finish. Use the paste to buff away scuffs.
For the Soles (Rubber):
This is where you can use elbow grease. Scrub the rubber sidewalls (midsoles) vigorously. The toothpaste is excellent at removing those black scuff marks that rubber collects.
Pro Tip: If you encounter a mark that looks like ink or dye transfer that the paste won’t lift, you might need a solvent. While this article focuses on shoes, the principles in how to remove ink stains from clothes can apply here—a tiny dab of rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud can lift ink from leather sneakers before you continue with the toothpaste scrub.
Step 4: The “Marination” Period
Once the shoe is completely covered in the paste, do not rinse it immediately. Let it sit.
Leave the paste on the shoes for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the baking soda to lift the organic stains and the toothpaste to work on the oil-based grime.
Step 5: The Rinse
Take a damp sponge or cloth and wipe away the paste.
For Canvas: You can rinse them under the faucet with cold water, but try not to soak the inside of the shoe if possible.
For Leather: Do not submerge leather shoes. Just keep wiping with a wet cloth until all residue is gone.
The Critical Step: Preveting Yellow Stains (The “Mummy” Method)
This is the secret that separates the amateurs from the pros. Often, when white canvas shoes dry, they develop ugly yellow jagged lines where the water evaporated. This is caused by dirt and detergent residue wicking to the surface.
The Fix:
While the shoes are still wet, take strips of white toilet paper or paper towels. Plaster them all over the fabric parts of the shoe. Press them down so they stick to the wet canvas. Cover the shoe completely until it looks like a paper mache project or a mummy.
Let the shoes dry with the paper on them. As the water evaporates, it pulls the yellow dirt and residue out of the shoe and into the paper. When the shoes are bone dry (usually 24 hours later), peel off the paper. The paper will be crusty and yellow, but the shoe underneath will be brilliant white.
Cleaning the Laces
Your sparkling shoes will look terrible if you put dirty grey laces back on them.
1. Fill a small bowl with warm water.
2. Add a squirt of the toothpaste/baking soda mix (or just dish soap).
3. Submerge the laces and soak for 20 minutes.
4. Rub the laces between your hands to scrub them.
5. Rinse and hang to dry.
What About Mesh? (Running Shoes)
Mesh is tricky because if you scrub too hard with a toothbrush, you can fray the delicate fibers, making the shoe look fuzzy.
When using this method on mesh (like Roshes or Yeezys), use a sponge instead of a toothbrush. Dab and press the paste into the mesh rather than scrubbing sideways. Rinse thoroughly, as toothpaste trapped in mesh can harden and become powdery.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using Bleach
Many people think bleach is the answer for white shoes. It is not. Bleach can turn white rubber yellow due to a chemical reaction. It can also weaken the glue that holds your soles on. Stick to baking soda.
2. Drying in Direct Sunlight
The sun is a natural bleacher, but excessive UV heat can warp the rubber soles and dry out leather, causing cracks. Always air dry your shoes in a shady, well-ventilated spot. A fan is fine; direct noon sun is risky.
3. Putting Leather in the Washer
Never put leather sneakers in the washing machine. The tumbling action destroys the structure, and the water saturation ruins the leather. Use the hand-scrub method only.
Maintenance: Keeping Them Clean
Now that your shoes are bright white, you want to keep them that way. If you are planning a trip, how you pack them matters. You don’t want your hard work ruined by a dusty suitcase or by being crushed against black dress shoes.
Refer to my guide on the best way to pack shoes in a suitcase to ensure your pristine white sneakers arrive at your destination in perfect condition. Using a shower cap to cover the soles is a great tip, but for white shoes, I recommend wrapping the whole shoe in a dust bag to prevent dye transfer from other clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use baking powder instead of baking soda?
No. Baking powder contains acids (like cream of tartar) and cornstarch. It will leave a sticky, starchy residue. You need pure Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate).
Will this method remove grass stains?
It helps, but grass stains are organic dyes. For grass, try scrubbing with white vinegar first to break down the enzymes, then follow up with the toothpaste scrub.
How often can I do this?
For canvas, as often as you like. For leather, limit this deep clean to once a month to avoid drying out the material. Wipe leather down with a damp cloth weekly for maintenance.
Conclusion
You do not need to retire your favorite sneakers just because they have lost their shine. The toothpaste and baking soda method is cheap, effective, and safe for almost all materials.
It transforms a chore into a satisfying transformation. There is nothing quite like peeling off that paper towel “mummy” mask to reveal a shoe that looks brand new. So, raid your bathroom cabinet, grab that old toothbrush, and get scrubbing. Your shoes deserve a second life.