A bright white pair of shoes always makes a statement, they can be dressed up or down, making them one of the most versatile accessories in your wardrobe.

But the downside to wearing white sneakers or off-white suede shoes is how easily they attract dirt, scuff marks, and grass stains.

Keeping them clean might seem impossible…but is it really?

In this article, you’ll learn how to clean your white shoes naturally, without bleach, so you can keep walking in your brightest, whitest shoes with only human-safe cleaning products!

Why Use Natural Methods To Clean White Shoes Vs. Bleach & Other Synthetics

While many experts recommend chlorine bleach and harsh synthetic detergents to clean white shoes, we don’t.

Unfortunately, few people have been educated about the dangers of regular or passive exposure to bleach, while many still use it to clean their homes or bleach their white shoes and clothing.

Exposure to bleach (even passive exposure) has been linked to various concerning health issues, including:

• Increased risk of respiratory illness and other illnesses in children
• Increased rate of miscarriage and preterm birth
• Severe skin, eye, and lung burns due to the chloramine gas created when bleach is combined with other chemicals or organic matter
• DNA damage, cancer, asthma, respiratory problems, headaches, and a host of other illnesses [1]

Just to name a few.

In addition to the harm bleach has on your body, it’s also hazardous to the environment. Combining bleach with organic matter is a recipe for disaster—also known as chloroform gas—and is not recommended for septic systems.

So with all of this in mind, you might be wondering what safe bleach alternatives are available to clean your white shoes. You’re in luck—we have three highly effective, natural options to choose from.

Learn more about bleach and why it’s toxic to humans and the environment in Is Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) Toxic?

How To Clean White Shoes Naturally: 4 Ways

1: Branch Basics Method

Despite the common misconception, there are several natural and effective alternatives to bleach. Many uses for bleach in cleaning can be swapped out for Branch Basics Concentrate, Laundry Detergent, and Oxygen Boost.

Branch Basics products were created to the highest human-safe and environmentally-friendly standards and are: Certified Made Safe, EWG-Verified, Cruelty-Free Verified/Never tested on animals, and independently, third-party tested as non-skin or eye irritants.

The Branch Basics method is safe enough for use on all types of fabrics, including white canvas, mesh, regular tennis shoes, and even leather*.

What you’ll need:

• Branch Basics Concentrate
  
• Branch Basics Oxygen Boost
  
• Branch Basics Laundry Detergent
  
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
  
• Water
  

How To Clean Your White Shoes Naturally With Branch Basics

For extra dirty shoes, combine Concentrate with Oxygen Boost for the ultimate cleaning and whitening power.

Our Concentrate is a human-safe, sustainable, all-in-one solution that cuts through grease and grime, preparing your white shoes for the natural bleaching power of Oxygen Boost.

Branch Basics Oxygen Boost contains just two powerful, human-safe ingredients that act as natural bleach alternatives: baking soda and sodium percarbonate.

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, has a natural bleaching and whitening effect, while sodium percarbonate is a powerful bleach alternative that releases a mixture of oxygen, water, and washing soda when added to water.

Concentrate and Oxygen Boost Method:

1. Remove the shoelaces and set them aside. See instructions for cleaning shoelaces below.
2. Fill a sink or basin with cold water, then add 1 capful of Branch Basics Concentrate and 1 scoop of Oxygen Boost. Mix well.
3. Add shoes and let soak for a few hours.
   1. *Alternatively, you can spray the shoes with All-Purpose, sprinkle with Oxygen Boost, then scrub.
4. Scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush or wash on a cold, gentle cycle with Branch Basics Laundry Detergent.
5. Set in the sun to air dry.

For a quick clean, try washing your white shoes in Branch Basics Laundry Detergent. Our powerful powdered detergent effectively lifts stains, cleans, and removes odors with just one scoop.

With gentle, human-safe ingredients like sodium percarbonate (an environmentally-friendly alternative to bleach), decyl glucoside (a powerful ingredient that helps remove dirt and grime), and sodium polyitaconate (a natural stain remover), your shoes will come out of the wash just like new.

Here’s how to use Branch Basics Laundry Detergent to clean your white shoes naturally:

1. Add ½ scoop of Branch Basics Laundry Detergent directly to your washer drum and run on a normal cycle.
2. Remove promptly and let air dry.

*Note: Always test on an inconspicuous area to be sure it doesn’t affect the color or finish of the fabric. Ideally, let it dry before making your determination. Once you know your fabric is colorfast, continue cleaning.

If your shoes still have stubborn stains, check out our How to Get Stains Out of Everything With Branch Basics [Complete Guide].

2: Baking Soda Method

Baking soda’s natural whitening qualities make it an effective alternative to bleach and an excellent option for removing stains from white shoes.

Despite its natural mild abrasiveness, baking soda is so gentle it can be used to clean most types of shoes, including white leather shoes.

What you’ll need:

• Baking soda
  
• Water
  
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
  
• Microfiber cloth
  

Here’s How To Clean Your White Shoes Naturally with Baking Soda:

1. Remove the shoelaces and set aside. See instructions for cleaning shoelaces below.
2. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush (especially if you’re cleaning leather shoes), gently brush off loose dirt, dust, and debris.
3. In a bowl, make a paste out of baking soda and warm water.
4. With the soft-bristled toothbrush, work the paste over the entire surface of the shoe, scrubbing in a gentle circular motion.
5. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe and remove the paste.
6. Set the shoes in the sun to air dry.

Learn more ways baking soda can be used to clean around the home in Cleaning With Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): 12 Surprising Uses.

3. Peroxide + Baking Soda + Natural Dish Soap Method

Combine hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and natural dish soap for a powerful cleaning and whitening solution for white shoes.

The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive, while the peroxide whitens, and the natural dish soap cuts through dirt and grime.

This method is especially effective for mesh or canvas shoes. Use caution, however, on leather and suede shoes (we actually don’t recommend this method), as the peroxide can dry or discolor the material.

What you’ll need:

• Baking soda
  
• Hydrogen peroxide
  
• A natural dish soap, like Branch Basics Concentrate
  
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
  
• Microfiber cloths
  
• Warm water
  

Here’s How To Clean Your White Shoes Naturally with Peroxide, Baking Soda, and Natural Dish Soap:

1. Remove the shoelaces and set them aside. See instructions for cleaning shoelaces below.
2. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently brush off any loose dirt, dust, and debris from the shoes.
3. In a bowl, mix the baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and natural dish soap to make a paste.
4. Dip the toothbrush into the paste and gently scrub in a circular motion over the entire surface of the shoes. Let the paste sit for about 20 to 30 minutes.
5. With a damp microfiber cloth, wipe away the mixture.
6. Set the shoes in the sun to air dry completely.

4. Vinegar Method

We love using vinegar as a natural cleaner, disinfectant, and stain remover. Use it to clean your white shoes from top to bottom.

A bonus: Distilled white vinegar is a natural deodorizer, even in shoes. Simply add vinegar to a spray bottle and lightly spritz the inside of your shoes*.

This method is safe to use on most shoe fabrics, but is especially effective for use on white suede shoes.

What you’ll need:

• Distilled White Vinegar
  
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
  
• Microfiber cloths
  

Here’s How To Clean Your White Shoes Naturally with Vinegar:

1. Remove shoelaces and set them aside. See instructions for cleaning shoelaces below.
2. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush away any loose dirt, dust, and debris.
3. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into a small bowl of vinegar. Gently dab and rub any stains. Blot with a dry, clean microfiber cloth or paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
4. Don’t forget the bottom of your shoes! With the microfiber cloth, dip in the vinegar and wipe away dirt, dust, and grime. Wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.
5. Set in the sun to dry.

*A safety note about vinegar: Although vinegar is safe and non-toxic, it is highly acidic and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.

If anyone in your home is sensitive to smells or has a respiratory issue, it’s best not to make vinegar or vinegar solutions airborne by spraying. Instead, try wiping it on versus spraying, and ensure proper ventilation when you clean.

Learn more about vinegar and its many uses in 12 Ways To Use Vinegar In Your Home.

How To Clean Shoe Laces Without Bleach

The best way to clean shoe laces without bleach is to handwash them with Oxygen Boost.

But if you do decide to throw them in the washing machine, be sure to put them inside a garment bag to keep them from getting caught in the drum or agitator.

To clean them:

1. Add 1 scoop of Oxygen Boost to a sink of warm water. Stir to mix.
2. Fully submerge the laces and let soak for 5 to 10 minutes overnight if needed. Gently agitate them to remove any dirt and grime.
3. Rinse thoroughly with cool, clean water.
4. Lay flat in the sun to air dry.

Try This Non-Toxic Trick To Remove Odors From Shoes

Avid runners, athletes, and gym-goers will agree that sweat and regular wear can contribute to shoe odors. 

To eliminate and neutralize odors, try this non-toxic trick: baking soda pouches.

Make your own by putting baking soda into a non-bleached coffee filter or a thin piece of cloth – the key is to use a porous material that allows the baking soda to absorb the smells easily. Tie it up with a string and place inside the shoe to absorb odor.

Alternatively, you can purchase pre-made options like these baking soda deodorizer balls or these in-shoe odor-destroying pouches.

Spray unflavored vodka into your shoes. It is an unscented natural odor neutralizer. 

Tips For Keeping Your White Shoes Clean Between Washings

To help keep your white shoes clean between washes, try some of these tips:

• Store white shoes in breathable fabric bags. This will help keep them from sitting on the ground where they can easily collect dirt and dust.
• Many shoes have white rubber on the bottom, even if the fabric itself isn’t white. To keep it clean, make a paste out of baking soda and warm water. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush, then wipe clean.
• Check for stains and spot clean regularly. This will help minimize how often you’ll need to do a full wash.
• After washing leather shoes, apply a natural protectant, such as beeswax or coconut oil, to repel dirt and retain moisture.

What Other Ways Can You Use Branch Basics To Clean?

Now that you know how to clean your white shoes naturally, it’s time to explore other ways you can use Branch Basics around the house!

Swapping toxic cleaning products, like bleach, in your home for safer alternatives is truly one of the best and easiest ways to improve your home’s overall health and indoor air quality.

At Branch Basics, we’ve created an all-in-one, human-safe cleaning system that replaces dozens of toxic cleaners with one Concentrate.

Our Concentrate is a multi-purpose formula that can be used for everything from laundry to cleaning toilets. It’s a powerful plant- and mineral-based formula that can be diluted to create all of our cleaning products, including All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Laundry, and Foaming Wash.

The Oxygen Boost is a human-safe brightener, deodorizer, and stain remover that is especially powerful when paired with the Concentrate. Use it for laundry, grout, tough stains, pots and pans, and so much more!

Ready To Get Started With Branch Basics? 

Check out our Premium Starter Kits (available in plastic or glass) for all the essentials. 

Or, if you’re ready to dive headfirst into human-safe cleaning and living, give our Ultimate Starter Kits (also available in plastic or glass) a look, featuring all of our best-selling products to clean your entire home.

Learn more about our products in How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit: Versatile Uses for more tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions.

Resources:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/chemical-fact-sheets/chlorine.html