Reasons why white shoes get stained and how to remove stains

Shoes are important for many reasons: they help retain heat, they protect your feet when you move. They can also provide good ankle support if they are designed to do so. Although most of us have a wide range of colors and styles to choose from, having a pair of white shoes is almost a necessity these days. Especially for those who have a sense of fashion. But why do shoes turn yellow and how to remove stains from shoes?

1. Reasons why shoes turn yellow

Shoes are yellowed due to oxidation.

Most people love wearing white shoes outdoors, but when they get dirty, they need to be cleaned. After washing the shoes, of course, they should be dried in the sun. They will naturally oxidize when exposed to air for a long time. This will eventually cause them to turn yellow due to a chemical reaction.

White shoes need to be soaked thoroughly before being exposed to the sun. One way to fix yellowing of canvas shoes is to wrap them in paper towels to prevent the color from changing when exposed to sunlight.

Sweat and Dirt

Sometimes we tend to wear our shoes for many hours a day and hardly get a chance to rest them. As a result, our shoes get sweaty and dirty to the point that even after washing, the stains and sweat are not completely cleaned. This will cause yellow stains on the shoes. The way to whiten shoes from dirt and sweat is to wash them properly.

Shoe sole structure is prone to stains

The sole is the most used part of your shoe. This is probably why it gets dirty faster than any other part of the shoe. After washing the shoes, the dirt particles may not be completely removed and some elements may still be inside the shoe. This is a common reason why the soles of Converse shoes turn yellow while they are drying.

Using detergent causes yellow stains on shoes

Most people tend to use the same detergent to clean their clothes and their shoes. However, the detergent used for clothes may not be the best match for the construction of shoes. Therefore, the shoes may still contain detergent, especially if they have not been thoroughly cleaned. The presence of detergent in shoes means that they are likely to turn yellow when exposed to sunlight. This means that it is best to use a shoe-specific detergent to avoid yellowing your shoes.

2. How to remove yellow stains from shoes

Baking Soda

One advantage of using baking soda to clean yellowed shoes is that it is easily available and works as an effective stain remover. Take 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water. Use them to form a smooth paste and use a toothbrush to apply the solution to the stain. Leave the shoes for 15 minutes. Then scrub the shoes carefully in a gentle circular motion. Then, remove all traces of baking soda by rinsing them with warm water. Dry the shoes in the sun or a cool room.

Use toothpaste

The fact that toothpaste is effective in removing yellow stains from teeth means that it can be used effectively to remove yellow stains from white shoes. Take a small amount of non-gel toothpaste and rub it gently onto the stained area.

Leave the mixture on the shoes for 20 minutes before washing them off. However, toothpaste is a very mild cleanser so there is a chance that some yellow stains will remain. But you can clean them using the method discussed below.

Use 40 Volume Cream

Another method you can use to fix yellowing white shoes is to apply 40 volume primer. Note that this method should be applied to clean and dry shoes. This primer is affordable and can be found at your local beauty store for as low as $10.

• Use a toothbrush to apply a 40 volume layer of the cream to the shoe. Check to see if the cream covers the yellow stains. Again, make sure the shoe is clean and dry before applying the cream.
• Once you are satisfied that your shoes are clean and dry, take a piece of plastic wrap that is slightly longer than your shoes. Place the shoes on the plastic wrap with the sole facing down. To make it easier, you can start at the toe of the shoe and then cover it with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will hold the 40 cream in place and retain the heat.
• The next step is to dry the shoes in the sun. After wrapping the shoes, you can dry them. This will help the 40 cream to work effectively to remove yellow stains from the shoes. We recommend rotating the shoes during this step for better results.
• You may want to start with the shoes face down with the soles facing up. Then place them with the soles facing down after 20 minutes or so. The important thing behind placing the shoes in different positions is to make sure that every part covered in the 40 volume crème gets some sunlight. The shoes should be in the sun for at least 45 minutes.
• Rinse and repeat
• The final step is to remove the plastic wrap from the shoes. Then use warm water and a scrubbing brush to thoroughly clean the shoes while scrubbing gently. Make sure not to soak the shoes in water. You should only let enough water soak into the shoes to help scrub off the 40 volume cream.

Depending on the level of stain on your shoes, you may need to repeat the shoe stain removal process a few times until they are as white as you want.

If you need to treat yellowed shoes, you can use our Celidior Shoe Stain Removal service. Celidior is one of the leading stores for shoe care and maintenance. With a thorough stain removal process, Celidior is committed to giving you a pair of white shoes that are no longer yellow and 100% safe for the material of the shoes. Order the Shoe Stain Removal service or contact us to have a pair of shoes that are as white as new. You can also see the full Shoe Restoration instructions on the Celidior Blog for more great tips for shoes!