White knit shoes are a stylish and comfortable choice, but they can be tricky to keep clean. To clean white knit shoes, start by using a soft brush or cloth to remove any loose dirt or debris. Then, mix a small amount of gentle soap with water and use a clean cloth to gently scrub the shoes. Rinse with cool water and allow to air-dry completely before wearing.
Do you own a pair of white knit shoes? If so, chances are you’ve had to clean them at least once. According to research, over 80% of people surveyed said they found cleaning their white knit shoes to be difficult or time-consuming.
That being said, with the right supplies and approach, it doesn’t have to be that way! In this article, we’ll show you how easy it can be to make your white knit shoes look like new again.
All you need is gentle soap, water and a soft brush or cloth – plus some patience for air-drying them afterwards! Keep reading to find out more about how easy it is clean your white knit shoes.
What You'll Learn
Gather Necessary Supplies
To achieve optimal results, gather the necessary supplies to clean your knitted footwear. You’ll need a mild soap, a container of water, and a delicate brush or fabric.
For best results, use a gentle soap specifically made for cleaning fabrics to avoid damaging the knit material. You may also want to consider using a specialized cleaner that is specifically designed for cleaning white sneakers. Make sure you have enough soap and water to cover the entire surface of your shoes before starting the cleaning process.
Before you begin scrubbing your shoes with the brush or cloth, take some time to remove any excess dirt and debris on its surface. This will make it easier for you to get into all the nooks and crannies of your shoes when you start applying soap and water. You can do this by lightly brushing away dirt particles with an old toothbrush or wiping them off with a damp cloth.
Once you’ve removed all visible dirt from your shoes’ surfaces, it’s time to start washing them with the soapy mixture. Begin by adding one tablespoon of soap into one cup of warm water in either a small bowl or bucket. Swish around until suds form before taking a soft bristled brush or rag and working up lather onto each shoe while being careful not to over saturate them in water.
Once both shoes are fully lathered up in suds, let them sit for 5-10 minutes so that they can absorb some of the cleaner’s formula before rinsing them off with clean running water from either a faucet or hose if available outside.
After thoroughly rinsing off both shoes under cool running water, gently pat them dry with an absorbent towel until they’re only slightly damp before letting them finish air drying out in direct sunlight or near an open window/vent where there’s plenty of airflow present throughout their drying period which should take about 1-2 hours depending on humidity levels indoors/outdoors at that particular moment in time.
Remove Excess Dirt and Debris
Gently brush away dirt and debris from the fabric of your shoes with a soft cloth to prepare them for air-drying. It’s important to consider the type of fabric when selecting cleaning products, as some fabrics are more delicate than others. To find the best product for your shoes:
- Look for cleaning solutions specifically designed for fabrics or leathers.
- Find a product that doesn’t contain chemicals that can damage delicate materials.
- Opt for natural ingredients to avoid harsh substances on the fabric.
Once you’ve found an appropriate product, dampen a soft cloth with warm water and gently brush away any surface dirt on the shoes until they look clean and free of debris. Remember to rinse out the cloth often while brushing to prevent any excess dirt from re-applying itself while cleaning. After this step, you should be able to visually see a difference in color, texture, and feel of the shoe’s fabric before moving onto creating a soapy solution.
Create a Soapy Solution
Having selected an appropriate cleaning product, the next step is to create a soapy solution with it. Begin by adding a small amount of the cleaning product to warm water in a bowl or bucket, and mix until combined.
If you are spot treating certain areas of white knit shoes, use a damp cloth to apply the solution directly onto the stained area and gently scrub away any dirt and grime. Otherwise, if it’s time for deep cleaning your entire pair of shoes, fully submerge them in the soapy solution before lightly scrubbing with a soft brush or cloth.
When finished, remove excess soap with clean water before air-drying them. To ensure that your beloved white knit shoes get back to looking their best, it’s time to move on to scrubbing away stubborn stains.
Scrub Away Stubborn Stains
Scrub away any lingering grime from your beloved shoes with a vengeance! Spot treat any tough stains with a soft brush or cloth and a gentle soap solution. Gently scrub the fabric in circular motions, taking care not to damage or stretch it.
Protect the integrity of your white knit shoes by using light pressure when cleaning them. Once all of the dirt is gone, rinse off the soap completely with lukewarm water. Rinse until all soapy residue is removed; this will ensure that no discoloration occurs during air-drying.
Make sure to dry your shoes in an area with good airflow; if needed, use a fan to speed up the process of air-drying.
Rinse Off the Soap
Rinse the soap well with lukewarm water to avoid leaving any soap residue or water spots on the shoes.
Make sure to rinse off all of the suds and foam from the brush or cloth you used for scrubbing, as this will help prevent discoloration when air-drying.
To make sure that you don’t miss any areas that may have been soaped up, run your hands over the shoe to feel for any remaining soap. If there’s still some left, use a damp cloth to wipe it away.
When you’re done rinsing off all of the soap, grab a clean dry cloth and gently dab away at the shoes until they’re no longer wet. Do not rub them too hard as this can cause damage to the knit material.
Also, be careful not to stretch out any areas that were soaped up while cleaning, especially if they were pulled tight during scrubbing.
Once all excess moisture has been removed from your shoes, it’s time to prepare them for air-drying. Pat down any areas where water might pool in order to prevent it from becoming trapped and causing discoloration on your white knit shoes.
After that’s done, simply let your freshly cleaned white knit shoes hang dry in an area away from direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators or fireplaces; this will ensure they stay bright and beautiful!
Now that your white knit shoes have been thoroughly rinsed off and are ready for air-drying, move on to drying them properly — an important step in keeping them looking their best!
Air-Dry the Shoes
Once you’ve rinsed off the soap, it’s time to air-dry your white knit shoes. There are a few convenient methods for doing this, so let’s take a look at them.
- You can leave the shoes outside in direct sunlight or on top of a radiator if the climate allows for it.
- Place newspaper in the shoes and put them near an open window inside your home or somewhere with proper ventilation and airflow.
- Hang the shoes up on a clothesline outdoors or indoors if possible, to give them some fresh air and natural light exposure while drying out any remaining moisture from the cleaning process.
- If all else fails, you can also use a hairdryer on its lowest heat setting to quickly dry out your shoes without damaging them further.
When deciding which method is best suited for drying your white knit shoes, consider any climate considerations that may affect their overall condition before making your decision.
It’s important to remember that different materials require different levels of care when cleaning and drying to avoid damage caused by too much heat or over-exposure to harsh elements like sunrays and rainwater.
With these tips in mind, you shouldn’t have any problem finding an effective way to air-dry your white knit shoes with minimal effort required!
Conclusion
You’ve done it! You’ve successfully cleaned your white knit shoes.
Now, take a look at them. They’re sparkling clean and look like new again.
It’s amazing how something so simple can make such a huge difference. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to tackle a problem is by taking small steps.
With enough care, patience, and effort, you can make anything shine—just like these shoes!
