When your trainers are looking a bit worse for wear, there’s no need to throw them in the washing machine or resort to harsh chemical cleaners – you can get them looking as good as new with two common household ingredients
Facing stained or dirty trainers, many resort to harsh chemical cleaners or take the gamble of damaging them in the washing machine. But there’s a simpler and more natural method to revive their brightness without needing to do that.
Two readily available household items can effectively lift stains and make your footwear look as good as new. Laura Harnett, the founder of eco-conscious cleaning brand Seep, believes that pricy chemicals are largely needless for most cleaning tasks.
She champions the use of white vinegar and baking soda for their antibacterial properties and odour-elimination qualities.
For refreshing grubby footwear, these natural ingredients prove formidable.
To kickstart the cleaning and ensure your trainers shine, Laura recommends: “First remove the laces and brush off any surface dirt or mud on the shoes with an old toothbrush or use your bamboo dish brush when it comes to the end of its life for washing up.”
After the initial clean-up, it’s time for the deep clean. Laura has a particular approach for the laces: “Place the laces in a bowl with a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water.”
She continues by suggesting, “Using a bamboo cloth rub the vinegar liquid into the laces and then leave to air dry in the sunshine.
“They’ll be white again with no lingering smell as vinegar and daylight together is a natural bleach.”
Once the laces are set aside to dry, it’s time to focus on the main body of the shoe. A homemade cleaning paste is all you need for an effective clean, reports the Express.
“Next, mix a paste with a tablespoon baking soda, one of white vinegar and one of hot water,” Laura advises.
“Rub this paste into the body of the trainer gently with circular movements. Wipe off the excess paste and leave them to dry for a few hours and the stains will have lifted.”
This method is gentle and avoids the potential damage caused by some harsh commercial cleaners.
To address any odours inside the shoes, Laura shares another simple solution.
Laura says: “If the inner soles can be removed then place them into a small biodegradable bin bag with enough baking soda to cover them completely. Tie the bag and leave overnight and in the morning any lingering odours will be removed.”
For insoles that are particularly dirty, Laura suggests that “you can gently wash by hand with a small amount of soap and water and air dry them.”