How to Clean White Leather Tennis Shoes

How to Clean White Leather Tennis Shoes
Written By
Shelley Marie
Shelley Marie
Published: Sep 22, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Although you can wash some leather tennis shoes in the washing machine, hand washing them helps keep their shape.

Things You Will Need

  • Cloths
  • Toothpaste
  • Mild liquid soap
  • Leather protector
  1. Wipe off any loose debris from the shoes with a dry cloth.

  2. Dampen a cloth with water, and wring it out. Wipe off the shoes with the cloth to dampen them and remove light soil.

  3. Apply small dabs of toothpaste, not gel, or mild liquid soap onto dirty areas of the shoes.

  4. Dip an old toothbrush into water, and lightly scrub the shoes to remove stains and scuff marks.

  5. Dampen a cloth with water, and wring it out. Wipe the shoes to remove any toothpaste or soap residue.

  6. Dry the shoes with a clean towel. Allow them to air-dry completely.

  7. Apply leather protector to a cloth, and wipe it onto the leather shoes. Use a thin layer, and buff it into the shoes.

The Drip Cap

  • White leather tennis shoes can become dingy and dirty from wear.
  • Dampen a cloth with water, and wring it out.
  • Dip an old toothbrush into water, and lightly scrub the shoes to remove stains and scuff marks.

Photo Credits

old tennis shoe image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com

old tennis shoe image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com

Shelley Marie

Shelley Marie has been writing professionally since 2008 for online marketing and informational websites. Her areas of expertise include home, garden and health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and an associate…

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