Can I soak white sneakers in OxiClean? How to wash them based on material
When white sneakers start to look dull, you might want to soak them entirely in OxiClean to make them white again all at once.
To begin with, is it actually safe to soak these shoes in OxiClean? Without knowledge of the materials, you can't tell just by looking at them, can you?
Whether they are suitable for soaking in OxiClean is determined not by their whiteness, but by the material and the manufacturer's care instructions. Some shoes, such as those made of canvas or mesh, are easier to consider for washing with water. However, treating suede, genuine leather, or shoes made of a combination of different materials in the same way can lead to discoloration or changes in texture.
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Don't jump straight to soaking. Start with everyday dirt
There is no need to rush for whiteness and proceed to soaking from the start. The basic order is to check if it is suitable for the shoes, remove normal dirt, and only consider soaking in OxiClean for the dirt that remains.
First, read the shoe manufacturer's care instructions and check the material of the entire shoe, not just the upper. See if they allow washing with water or the use of oxygen-based bleach, and check if other materials such as suede, genuine leather, or colored patterns are mixed into the logo, reinforcements, or adhesive parts. Even for canvas or mesh, if the manufacturer does not allow washing with water, please prioritize that guidance.
If the shoelaces can be removed, take them off, and wash any removable insoles separately from the main shoe body.
If the shoes can be washed with water, first remove sand and dust with a dry brush. Then, gently wash away normal dirt using a sneaker cleaner like JASON MARKK, or a neutral detergent for clothing that matches the shoe's material and care instructions.
Only consider soaking in OxiClean if stubborn dirt remains and you can determine from both the shoe and the oxygen-based bleach labels that it is safe to use. There are materials and shoes for which Oxi (oxygen-based bleach) can be used, and others for which it should be avoided. You cannot decide just because they are white.
If the washing method requires rinsing, make sure no detergent remains, remove moisture, and reshape the shoes before drying. If possible, dry them indoors in a well-ventilated, shaded area. Even shade outdoors is not always safe.
When brown or yellow stains appear, before re-washing
When I received consultations about dirt while serving customers, I didn't immediately suggest how to wash them. Was it really dirt from the outside? Did the color change after washing them yourself? What got on them—mud, oil, a drink, etc.? I first check what detergent was used and how they were dried.
Even if they look the same brown or yellow, the cause is not necessarily the same. If it is dirt from the outside, it might be possible to remove it using a method suitable for that dirt. On the other hand, it could also be related to detergent residue, color transfer, or changes in the material or adhesive parts.
If you apply a stronger detergent without knowing the cause, you might make the condition worse. Do not assume, "It's dirty, so I'll wash it harder," and stop here for a moment.
The washing method changes depending on the material
Canvas
Canvas sneakers for which the manufacturer allows washing with water are a type that is easier to consider for thorough washing or care using oxygen-based bleach.
I have also washed many pairs of canvas shoes. As far as I have washed them by checking the care instructions and how to use the detergent, there haven't been many major problems with soaking in OxiClean.
Even so, that does not mean all canvas sneakers are safe. If there are prints, colored stitching, metal parts, or adhesive parts, check in an inconspicuous place to see if there are any changes.
Mesh
In my experience, mesh is also a material that can often be washed in the same way as canvas.
Running shoes and walking shoes sometimes use synthetic leather or suede reinforcements around the mesh. You cannot judge that the entire shoe is safe to soak just by looking at the visible mesh part.
Suede/Nubuck
Suede and nubuck are materials that are difficult to clean, even among those I have cared for.
Soaking them in water may change their color, texture, and feel. Avoid oxygen soaking, which is not approved by manufacturers, and start by brushing them while dry or cleaning them locally with a compatible cleaner.
You may want to wash white or light-colored shoes vigorously, but please prioritize the characteristics of the material over the color.
Natural Leather/Synthetic Leather
Unless a product is specifically labeled as washable, it is safer not to wash or soak natural leather for long periods based on your own judgment.
Synthetic leather may not be able to withstand water washing, not just on the surface, but also on the backing and adhesive parts. Try removing dry dirt and wiping it off with a compatible cleaner first.
Combination of different materials
Sneakers that combine multiple materials should be handled with extra care. Even if the mesh can be washed, the same washing method may not be suitable for the suede parts. In such cases, match the method to the delicate suede rather than the easy-to-wash mesh.
Before soaking the entire shoe, consider whether you can handle it with spot cleaning.
Only use oxygen soaking when stubborn stains remain
Proceed only if stains remain that cannot be removed by normal cleaning, and you have determined that the material is compatible with the oxygen bleach based on both the manufacturer's care instructions and the bleach's label.
Before washing the entire shoe, test an inconspicuous area to check for color fading or changes. Follow the instructions on the bleach you are using and check the condition of the shoes during the process.
Just because it is oxygen bleach does not mean it is safe for every shoe. Do not assume that a higher concentration or longer soaking time will make them whiter; it is important to follow the instructions for both the product and the shoes. If it is your first time washing a pair of shoes or if you do not want to risk failure, it is safer to start with spot cleaning before soaking the whole shoe.
After washing, place in a well-ventilated indoor shade
After washing shoes with water, rinse them thoroughly to remove any detergent, remove excess moisture, and reshape them before drying. If possible, choose a well-ventilated indoor shaded area for drying. Outdoor shade is not automatically a safe place.
I still have a failure that is hard to forget. I once washed a pair of New Balance sneakers that combined mesh and suede and dried them in the outdoor shade. I thought I had avoided direct sunlight. Even so, after they dried, brown mottled discoloration appeared, and I could not restore them, so I had to discard those shoes.
At the time, I considered the possibility that it was related to ultraviolet rays I had been exposed to outdoors or changes in the adhesive used in the shoes. However, I could not confirm the cause. I cannot definitively say that ultraviolet rays or the adhesive were the cause.
Because of this experience, I no longer decide where to dry shoes based solely on the word "shade." Please avoid direct sunlight and forced drying methods such as hair dryers, heaters, and tumble dryers, and also check the light and heat conditions of the entire drying area. Even if mesh is easy to wash, it does not necessarily mean that the suede or adhesive parts used with it can withstand the same conditions. Cleaning must be considered to include rinsing and drying.
I have summarized in detail in this article how to remove moisture and reshape shoes when they get wet in the rain.
There is a way to clean without using water before washing the whole thing
For shoes that are difficult to judge whether they can be washed whole or sneakers made of different materials, cleaners that do not use a lot of water are also an option.
I often use JASON MARKK cleaning sets and waterless cleaners.
When you want to remove dirt thoroughly, a set of cleaning solution and a brush used with water is easy to handle. The current JASON MARKK Essential Kit is a combination of 118ml of cleaning solution and a stiff brush. It is easy to use on durable canvas and around the soles. However, please be careful not to apply the included brush strongly to suede, knit, or soft mesh.
JASON MARKK Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner is 207ml, and it is a type where you dispense the foam onto a brush without preparing additional water, wash gently, and wipe off with a towel.
In my experience, waterless types can sometimes be less effective at removing dirt than washing the whole shoe. Since you can reduce the area soaked in water, it is useful when you want to minimize the burden on materials and adhesive parts.
It is suitable for those who want to remove light surface dirt early, or for sneakers made of different materials that you are worried about washing whole. It may be unsatisfactory for those who want to clean mud that has entered deep into the fibers or strong dirt over a wide area all at once.
Both are products intended for many materials, but there are materials that the manufacturer does not recommend, such as unfinished leather or painted leather. Please check both the care label on the shoes and the target materials for the cleaner.
You don't have to start with the strongest method. Try to see if you can remove it with a method that puts less strain on the shoes, depending on their condition.
Not just after washing, but also after wearing
For white sneakers, it is easier to reduce the burden by taking care of them while the dirt is small rather than washing them whole many times after they get dirty.
Remove dust with a dry brush after wearing. Wipe off light dirt early. Store only after they are completely dry. Even small maintenance like this can reduce the number of times strong cleaning is required.
If you use a waterproof spray, please check if the product can be used on the target material after washing and thoroughly drying the shoes. I have organized the timing for application and drying time here.
Things that are easy to get confused about
Can I always soak white canvas in OxiClean?
Even with white canvas, it cannot be said to be always safe.
Even if the main body is canvas, prints, stitching, metal, and adhesive parts may be affected. Please check the manufacturer's instructions and the bleach label, and try it on an inconspicuous area before making a decision.
Is it okay to wash them in the washing machine?
Unless the manufacturer explicitly approves machine washing for the product, it is safer not to put them in the washing machine at your own discretion.
The rotation and spin cycle can cause the shoes to lose their shape or put stress on the adhesive parts. For shoes you care about, it is easier to adjust the process by hand-washing them while checking their condition.
If yellow or brown patterns appear after washing, is it okay to bleach them again?
I do not recommend applying stronger detergents or bleach without knowing the cause.
It may not be dirt, but rather a change in the material, adhesive, or color transfer. Please organize the detergent and steps you used, and consider consulting the manufacturer or a specialty shoe cleaning shop.
Whether you can soak white sneakers in oxygen bleach is not determined solely by whether they are white. Check the manufacturer's care instructions, the material and combinations of different materials, and whether it is dirt or discoloration after washing, then test on an inconspicuous area. The cleaning process is a continuous sequence that includes rinsing, removing moisture, shaping, and drying in a well-ventilated indoor area out of direct sunlight.
In my experience, canvas and mesh are relatively easy to wash, and soaking them in oxygen bleach rarely causes major issues. Suede is difficult to clean, and I have had experiences where shoes combining mesh and suede suffered irreversible discoloration after drying. For shoes you are unsure about, start with spot cleaning or a waterless cleaner, and try methods that put less stress on the shoes. Prioritize keeping the shoes in a wearable condition over restoring their whiteness. Thinking in that order makes it harder to fail when caring for white sneakers.