How To Keep White Air Forces Clean

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White Air Force Ones are arguably one of the most iconic sneakers of all time. They're elegant, sleek, and can work well with basically any outfit. Unfortunately, they're quite prone to getting dirty and any stains or scuff marks will be particularly noticeable against the strong white background. When cleaning your sneakers, remember to always wash the shoelaces separately. To keep your shoes pristine and avoid dirt from building up over time, spot-clean your shoes as soon as you notice scuff marks or residue.

1
Remove your shoelaces and put shoe trees or newspaper inside your sneakers. Pull your laces out of your shoes and set them aside to be cleaned separately. To maintain the shape of your sneakers, slide shoe trees inside of each shoe. If you don't have shoe trees, stuff the insides of your sneakers with newspaper.^[1]
- A shoe tree is a wood or plastic block with a handle on it. They keep the fabric, plastic, and rubber from shrinking or creasing when you're cleaning or not wearing your shoes.
Tip: Use this method before machine-washing the sneakers. You can certainly use a washing machine if necessary, but it's better to avoid exposing your shoes to that much water if you don't have to.
2
Fill a bowl with 2–3 cups (470–710 mL) of sneaker cleaner or soapy water. Pick up an all-purpose sneaker cleaning solution online or from a shoe store. Pour a little bit of the cleaner into a small bowl. If you don't have a cleaning solution, you can make your own by mixing 2 cups (470 mL) of water with 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dish soap or laundry detergent.^[2]
- Air Force Ones are made out of rubber, leather, and textile. Any all-purpose shoe cleaner should work for this. The cleaners designed for suede shoes may not work as well, though.
3

Soak your shoelaces in the cleaning solution while you work. There are several ways to clean shoelaces, but the easiest way to clean them is to let them soak in the cleaning solution while you address the rest of the shoes. Simply drop the shoelaces into the bowl and let them soak while you finish the rest of these steps.^[3]
4
Dip a soft-bristled brush in the cleaning solution and scrub your shoes. Rub the brush back and forth into the exterior leather of your shoe. Drag the bristles around the leather sole and scrub inside the heel where a lot of sweat builds up in the lining. You don't need to scrub particularly hard to work the cleaning solution into the leather. Cover each area of your shoes 2-3 times to ensure that you lift up all the dirt on your sneakers.^[4]
- The cleaning solution isn't toxic or anything, but you can wear gloves if you want to keep your hands clean while you do this.
- You should definitely scrub the inside fabric around the heel, but you don't need to shove the brush deep into the insole or anything.
- For the tongue, lift it up with your nondominant hand and use quick flicking motions to scrub the leather without wearing it down.
5
Step up to a hard-bristled brush if you still see dirt on the shoes. If your shoes still look really dirty, grab a hard-bristled brush. Dip it in your cleaning solution and scrub your shoes a second time. Run the bristles over every section of the shoe to work the cleaner into the leather, rubber, and textile lining. Continue scrubbing until you've covered every portion of the sneakers.^[5]
- You can use a Magic Eraser instead of a hard-bristled brush if you prefer.
6
Clean any tougher scuff marks with a microfiber towel. Wrap the towel around your index finger and dip it in the cleaning solution. Rub any brightly-colored scuff marks or obvious stains with the towel. Rub the mark repeatedly until the stain comes up. In some cases, it can take up to 3-4 minutes of scrubbing a stain to lift it out of the shoe.^[6]
- This will only work if it's actually a scuff mark or stain. If the shoe has been torn and the interior layer of leather is exposed, you cannot remove the mark.
7
Wipe the soap off with a wet towel and let your sneakers air dry. Submerge a microfiber cloth in warm water and rub your shoes with the cloth to remove the soap. Rub the towel around the soles, tongue, and heel. For the soap on the inner lining, blot the area with your cloth to lift the soap out. Let the sneaker air dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area for 24 hours to dry them out.^[7] ^[8]
- Set your shoes down next to a fan or open window to air them out. You can leave them outside, but don't leave set them in the sun.
- Leave the shoe trees in your shoes while they air dry.

1
Put your sneakers in a laundry bag along with your shoelaces. Remove your shoelaces and put shoe trees in the shoes. Stuff your sneakers into a laundry bag designed for delicate clothing. Take your shoelaces and put them inside the bag separately.^[9]
- The shoe trees will keep the shoes from shrinking or wrinkling in the water. This may cause the shoe tree to rust, but it's a small price to pay for perfectly clean shoes.
Tip: It's not bad to wash your shoes per se, but it's a good idea to only wash them in the machine if necessary. If you do this more than 1-2 times a year, you may wear the leather out.
2
Set the machine to a delicate cycle and wash your shoes with old white clothing. Pour a load of old white towels or rags into the washing machine along with your shoes. Add your laundry detergent and close the lid on the washing machine. Turn the dial to the "delicate" or "low power" setting and let the washing machine run.^[10]
- Washing your shoes with other laundry will protect them from getting banged around in the machine. Using older, worn-down towels or rags is preferable since newer clothing may absorb some of the dirt from your shoes if they're especially dirty.
- Use regular laundry detergent to wash your sneakers. A third of a capful is plenty of detergent, but you can use more if you're washing a large load.
3
Dry your sneakers by leaving them in a well-ventilated area for 24 hours. Your Air Force Ones will be damp at the end of the wash cycle. Take the shoe trees out and set your sneakers down on a clean cloth near an open window or fan. You can leave them outside if you prefer, so long as there's some shade for your shoes. Wait at least 24 hours to give the shoes time to air out.^[11]
- If you leave your shoes in a humid environment they may get moldy as they dry.
- Never put your shoes in a dryer. The heat will damage the leather and cause your shoes to shrink.
- The sun will heat your shoes up and cause the leather to shrink as it dries. If you leave them outside, keep them under a canopy or overhang to keep them out of the sun.

1
Remove tough stains using white, non-gel toothpaste and water. Squirt a dollop of your toothpaste over the stain. Rub the toothpaste into the fabric of your shoes with the pad of your index finger. Then, grab a clean toothbrush and get it wet by holding it under a stream of water. Scrub the stain with your toothbrush until the stain is completely gone. Wipe the toothpaste off with a paper towel and rinse the leather off using a damp cloth or towel.^[12]
- This also works on canvas sneakers and foam rubber soles.
- Any white toothpaste with baking soda in it will work for this. If it's a gel toothpaste, it may leave a layer of residue on your shoes.
2
Deodorize your insoles by letting them air out with baking soda. Get an airtight box or storage bin that is big enough for your shoes. Set them down inside your box with the tongue lifted up as high as it will go. Fill a glass or bowl with 1-1.5 cups (230-340 grams) of baking soda and set it down between your shoes. Close the box or bin and wait 24 hours. The baking soda will lift out the odors in your shoes.^[13]
- If the odor is really bad, fill the inside of your shoes with some baking soda as well. After 24 hours, wash your shoes in the washing machine as described above to completely restore them.
3
Remove scuff marks efficiently with a Magic Eraser and water. A Magic Eraser is a sponge made of melamine foam. Dip your Magic Eraser in a little bit of water and rub the scuff mark or dirt to remove it quickly. If the shoe is stained, add a squirt of dish soap to the water and rub the mark, stain, or dirt again to remove it.^[14]
- You can pick up a Magic Eraser at any big box or cleaning supply store. They're often marketed as a way to remove marks from drywall.
4
Soak your laces in bleach and detergent to dye them white again. If your shoelaces are still really dirty after washing them, get a plastic or glass bowl and fill it halfway with chlorine bleach. Then, fill the remainder of the bowl with liquid laundry detergent. Mix the solution together with a mixing stick or spoon and submerge your laces. Let them soak for at least 1 hour before removing them, rinsing them, and letting them air dry.^[15]
- If you use a spoon to mix the bleach and laundry detergent, wash it thoroughly 2-3 times before putting it back in your utensil drawer.
- This will dye your laces back to their original color. You shouldn't need to do this unless your laces are extremely filthy, though.
5

Use lighter fluid to remove paint or gum from the rubber sole. Use a toothpick to scrape off any large chunks of paint or gum. Then, put on a pair of rubber gloves and grab a clean towel. Pour 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of lighter fluid on to the towel and scrub the remaining gum or paint with your lighter fluid. Once the gum or paint is gone, rinse the rubber under a steady stream of cold water and let your shoes air dry.^[16]

Warning: If your Air Force Ones aren't all white and you have any color on the trim of the rubber sole, the lighter fluid will wear the paint away. Only do this if your shoes are completely white.

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Question

Can I put Air Force Ones in the dryer?

Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio's experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.

Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

Expert Answer

I wouldn't. Just leave them out in a well-ventilated area and let them air dry. That's going to be the safest way to get them dry.
Question

What can I do if the shoes are really dirty?

Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim's Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio's experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.

Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Remove any large chunks of dirt or mud manually. Then, use a mixture of mild laundry detergent and water to get the shoes and shoelaces clean. Wash them in warm water to remove the soapy dirt and dry them with a soft towel.

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Deal with stains or marks as soon as you notice them to keep the dirt or residue from settling on your shoes.

Things You'll Need

Shoe trees or newspaper
Water
Sneaker cleaning solution or soapy water
Soft-bristled brush
Hard-bristled brush
Magic Eraser (optional)

Laundry bag
Shoe trees
Laundry detergent

Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Baking soda
Bowl
Magic Eraser
Bleach
Laundry detergent
Lighter fluid

About This Article

Article SummaryX

You can wash your white Air Force Ones in the washing machine or by hand to get them looking brand new again. To machine wash your shoes, first remove the laces and put your shoes and laces in a laundry bag. Put the bag in the washing machine and add some old white clothing or sheets, which will prevent your shoes from getting banged around in the machine. Add detergent, then wash your shoes on a delicate cycle. Finally, let your Air Force Ones air dry for 24 hours. To hand wash your shoes, first remove the laces and stuff the shoes with newspaper so they hold their shape. Soak the laces in soapy water and use a soft-bristled brush dipped in the soapy water to scrub your shoes. Buff out tough scuff marks with a microfiber cloth. Finally, wipe down your shoes with a wet towel and let them air dry. For advice on how to get out stubborn stains, keep reading!

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