White canvas shoes present a classy and trendy look in the current fashion. White shoes make a great look in every dressing code. You will always look great in white shoes no matter the color of clothes you wear.
But on top of these good qualities, they tend to disappoint by turning yellow after washing. The stains resemble yellow bleach stains, which make the beauty vanish. Read through this article, and let’s learn a few tips that may help remove these yellow bleach stains.
Why do my white canvas shoes turn yellow?
Chemical reaction with the sun
When our white shoes get dirty after wearing them, we have no option but to wash them. What most people don’t know, upon washing, chemical reactions take place.
Water has oxygen and hydrogen components that, upon exposure to the sun, function like reactants. An oxidation process takes place due to these components resulting in the yellow color.
We often use undesirable detergents to wash our shoes, contributing much to the yellow coloring.
Overuse
If we wear our shoes repeatedly, they may develop dirt and sweat stains. The sweat contributes to the foul smell shoes create. When these stains fail to wash completely, the shoes develop the yellow stains you see.
Sole
In most cases, we wash our shoes with the sole intact. After rinsing off the shoes, the dirt hidden in the sole comes out to stain the shoe. Try washing the shoe and the sole separately next time to see the difference.
How to remove yellow bleach stains from white canvas shoes
The following methods show significant results in removing yellow stains from shoes.
1. Using Vinegar and Detergent
For perfect results, follow the following steps:
- Mix in a clean sink or basin hot and cold water to achieve a lukewarm solution
- Add ½ tablespoon of laundry detergent into the water
- Stir the mixture with your hand or spoon to ensure a complete mixture
- Soak your shoes in the mixture and use a clean toothbrush to wash away the stain
- Wash with your washing machine gently and later a bit vigorous. If you don’t have a washing machine, use your hand gently and with more energy
- With clear water into the machine, add a ½ cup of white vinegar and run the wash. If you do it with your hands, fill in another sink of water or basin, add the vinegar and scrub with your brush
- Dry the shoes completely, and the yellow stains will be no more
2. Hot water and salt scrub
- Mix a tablespoon of salt with near-boiling water
- Use a toothbrush and scrub the yellow stains in your shoes
- Leave the shoe to dry and scrub again
- When the stain has disappeared, let it dry, and the stain will be no more
3. Cream of tartar
- Put four cups of very hot water into a container
- Put a half cup of tartar cream into the water and mix it
- Soak the yellow-stained shoes into the mixture and leave them there for up to 90 minutes
- After the stain has cleared, rinse the shoes with cold water and dry them completely
4. Using only water and toilet paper
I find this method very helpful since you can find all the ingredients from home, and it’s effortless. You only need to:
- Dip strait tissue pieces into clean water
- Use the wet tissue pieces to wrap through your yellow-stained white sneakers.
- Make a few wraps around your shoes.
- Cover the wet tissue with a two-time layer of dry tissue paper
- Leave the shoes to dry for 12-24 hours
To your surprise, your shoes will be stain-free after the drying period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does toothpaste clean yellow stains from shoes?
Yes, the white non-gel toothpaste, when scrubbed into the yellow stains, may make them fade away. Upon rinsing and drying, the stain clears. Never use the colored toothpaste, though. You may end up staining your shoes more.
Does bleach ruin white shoes?
If not rinsed off thoroughly, bleach causes yellow stains on shoes that may be hard to remove.
Does baking soda remove yellow stains on shoes?
Yes, though it must get mixed with white toothpaste and hydrogen peroxide. The mixture gets applied to the stained area and allowed to sit for 30 minutes. Upon rinsing, the stain clears.
Take away
Although yellow bleach stains may be a setback on our white sneakers, trying the above stain removal methods may save the day. Feel free to try the methods out and share your experience removing yellow stains on shoes in the comment section.
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