5 Simple Tips for Whitening Yellowed Shoes and Soles – Removing Bleach Stains From White Canvas

Whitening Yellowed Shoes and Soles - Removing Bleach Stains From White Canvas

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Whitening Yellowed Shoes and Soles - Removing Bleach Stains From White Canvas

If you have white shoes or sneakers, be sure to worry about your white shoes turning yellow and seek out effective ways to whiten yellowed shoes and remove yellow bleach stains from shoes. Because white is so noticeable, even a small stain on a white product can damage its quality and reduce its glossy appearance.

To remove yellow stains from white shoes, you will need to use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Grab your toothbrush and start applying the mixture to the yellow stain on the upper of your white shoe. Then apply the mixture to the yellow sole. Wait about 15 to 20 minutes. Then wash your white shoes with lukewarm water and put them in a dry place.

I know you’re in as much pain as you were a few months ago because the soles of my favorite little white shoes have turned yellow. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda worked for my shoes with all the strategies I explain below. Fortunately, the yellow stains on my white shoes were not glued and I was able to get rid of them.

Why do white shoes turn yellow?

Some of your white shoes have turned yellow. The main reason for yellow stains on shoes is washing.

The chemical reaction of white shoe cloth under sunlight after washing

The main reason for yellow stains after washing white shoes is that some detergent, soap or bleach is left on the white shoes after washing. These substances react chemically during the drying process of white shoes in the sun, resulting in yellow stains on white shoes.

Dirt particles react with shoes

Another aspect of white shoes turning yellow after washing is that wet shoes can pick up some dirt particles in the air. Therefore, if the shoes are left to dry outside, the dust particles in the air will stick to the small white shoes.

Also, there is some dirt embedded in the shoe. As you know, the sole is the most functional part of the shoe as it maximizes the impact with the ground when walking and running.

As a result, there are very few dirt particles left behind when washing shoes, which can cause white shoes to turn yellow when they dry outside.

Excessive use of bleach when washing shoes

Another cause of yellow stains on white shoes is excessive use of bleach when washing shoes. Studies have shown that excessive use of bleach on clothing can weaken the synthetic polymers in shoe materials, resulting in yellow stains on shoes.

Tips and Tricks on How to Whiten Yellowed Shoes and Soles

After extensive research and trying different ways to get yellow shoes white again, I’m going to list to you some inexpensive tips and tricks that you can use to remove yellow stains from white shoes.

Let’s discuss each…

#1 Rinse the white shoes with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Whitening yellowed shoes and soles with baking soda is a widely used method for removing yellow stains from shoes.

The advantage of this method is that cleaning expensive shoes is very cheap because baking soda is readily available anywhere.

Typically, baking soda in combination with hydrogen peroxide, laundry detergent, or toothpaste is used to effectively clean and remove yellow stains from white shoes.

How hydrogen peroxide turns shoes yellow

Hydrogen peroxide is a non-chlorine bleach that turns dirt into bubbles when mixed with baking soda. This will further clean the surface. It also kills germs and germs in shoes very well.

Whether to use baking soda alone or in combination with the above cleaners depends on the intensity of the yellow stain and its nature.

Don’t get confused…

We will explain…

Simple Steps to Apply Baking Soda to Yellowing Shoes

Here are the steps to use baking soda to whiten yellow shoes and soles:

  • First, take a tablespoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of warm water.
  • Mix baking soda and water well.
  • Take a toothbrush and dip it into the mixture you just made.
  • First, clean the upper. The reason is that your soles are the dirtiest part of your shoes. Starting with the sole, the effect of the active compound on the upper is reduced first.
  • Then let the shoes soak in the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse the white shoes thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • Finally, after a thorough wash, store your shoes in a well-ventilated room with negligible air pollution.
  • Wash yellow shoes and soles with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

If you have stubborn yellow stains on the soles and shoes that cannot be removed with baking soda alone, you can use a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. With this method, you don’t need water to make the paste. Aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions are readily available at medical stores.

  • So make a fine paste by mixing 1/2 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 tablespoon baking soda.
  • Rub the paste onto the shoes and soles in a similar manner as above.
  • Leave on for at least 30 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
  • Let the shoes dry in a clean, warm place for 3 to 4 hours.

Congrats, you’ll have sparkly white soles and canvas on your shoes.

#2 Apply toothpaste to yellowed shoes and soles

Toothpaste is also a great substance and a gentle cleaner that can remove yellow stains from shoes just as it can clean yellow stains from teeth. I recommend this method only if you are in a hurry. For example, if you urgently need to go to the office and only notice yellow stains on your shoes. In this case, toothpaste is the most viable option.

Why use toothpaste to remove yellow stains from white shoes

Toothpaste can be used to remove yellow stains from white shoes because it contains fluoride salts, which to some extent react with yellow stains to remove them from shoes.

Disclaimer: When using toothpaste, make sure it’s not a gel as it has a nice lather texture that covers yellow stains properly and helps remove them. You also need to make sure the toothpaste is colorless.

Steps to remove yellow stains from white shoes and soles with toothpaste

  • You can apply toothpaste to white shoes to remove yellow stains by following these steps:
  • Using an old toothbrush, apply toothpaste to the yellow stain on the shoe in circular motions.
  • Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Then spray with lukewarm water and use a damp towel to wipe the toothpaste on the sole and upper of the shoe.

#3 Squeeze lemon juice over yellow shoe stains

Squeezing lemon juice on yellow stains on white uppers and soles has also been found to be an effective way to whiten yellowed shoes. Lemon juice is acidic and contains citric acid. This acid reacts with yellow stains in the form of oxides.

After the reaction, the citric acid converts these oxides into salts, which can be easily washed off by thoroughly rinsing white shoes with water.

Lemon juice also acts as a sanitizer, helping to remove germs and germs that have become embedded in shoes from prolonged use. In this way, this method of washing shoes also helps prevent various infections on the feet.

Steps to remove yellow stains from white shoes and soles with lemon juice

Here are the following steps to remove yellow stains from white shoes.

  • In a bowl or plate, squeeze lemon juice and add some water to form a mixture.
  • Now take a sponge and soak it in lemon juice.
  • Properly scrub yellow stains from white shoes
  • Leave the shoes in place for about half an hour, then rinse them off with lukewarm water.
  • Remember, shoes should not dry in the sun. You can try them in a ventilated room.

I hope you’ll see the magic of it after using this method to whiten yellowed shoes.

#4 Whiten yellowed shoes with a magic eraser

The Magic Eraser is a DuraFoam sponge that removes all stains from clothing. No need to add detergent.

The magic behind this material is just a highly abrasive material called melamine. It is a foam-like material that is a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, and high concentrations of nitrogen. This is the main material behind the magic of this eraser.

Melamine foam acts like very fine sandpaper and can gently remove stains. With such high abrasiveness, the melamine foam in Magic Rubber can remove stubborn stains when mixed with water.

Melamine foam is like an open-cell foam with microscopic filaments that are extremely hard and abrasive. This abrasiveness works to remove stubborn yellow stains from white shoes. Additionally, there are air pockets between the foam lines, which help trap dirt and stains while steaming.

In addition to melamine, Magic Rubber contains two other substances, namely sodium bisulfite and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde imparts extra strength to the gum, and sodium bisulfite acts as an antibacterial agent to enhance the cleaning properties of Magic Gum.

Steps to remove yellow stains from white shoes and soles with a magic eraser

You can remove stains from white shoes by following these steps.

  • Soak the magic rubber in warm water and dab the yellow stain on the white shoe.
  • Keep rubbing until you notice a reduction in the yellow stain on the shoe.
  • This method of whitening yellowed shoes is very fast and effective.

#5 Tartar paste – a way to remove yellow bleach stains

The reason tartar paste is used to remove yellow bleach stains is its acidity. If the lemon juice method doesn’t work for you, I recommend trying this method to remove yellow bleach stains from white shoes. Tartar paste has mild abrasive properties to help remove stubborn bleach stains from white shoes.

Here are the steps to consider:

  • Take a bowl and pour 4 cups of very hot water (not boiling)
  • Then add half a cup of cream of tartar to make a solution
  • Soak white shoes or sneakers in the solution for about 90 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, check the shoes continuously and analyze whether the yellow spots disappear.
  • When the yellow bleach stain is completely removed, rinse the shoes in cold water and let them air dry. The reason for the cold water is to stop the reaction, as prolonged exposure to tartar shoes can affect the quality of the shoes.

How to prevent white shoes from turning yellow?

A common practice is to dry your shoes in the sun after washing them to allow them to dry quickly. Particles that remain in shoes after washing reacts in sunlight, causing yellow stains to form on white shoes.

The best way to keep your shoes from yellowing is to wrap them in white tissue paper. This prevents direct sunlight from contacting the shoe material. The tissue paper also acts as a dye to enhance the whiteness of the shoes.

This method allows you to dry your shoes in the sun after washing them, which will help remove odors from your shoes and keep them fresh.

Final words

I hope this guide helped you whiten yellowed shoes and remove yellow stains as you try each method.

You shouldn’t rely on just one technique because I don’t know how hard the yellow stain is on your white shoes. I’ve covered all the possible methods and tricks for you to try each one at a time.

5 Simple Tips for Whitening Yellowed Shoes and Soles – Removing Bleach Stains From White Canvas
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