How to Get Yellow Stains Out of White Shoes: 8 Easy Tricks

Last Updated: January 01, 2024


Who doesn't like wearing white shoes? Whether you like wearing a black pinstripe suit or the kind of denim jacket in trend, white shoes are always considered a closet staple.

It's been a while since white leather shoes are gaining hype in the market because they can be your go-to footwear if you like wearing jeans, tights, or skirts but the most frequently asked question that everyone seems to have in their mind is how to get yellow stains out of white shoes?

How to Get Yellow Stains Out of White Shoes - Content

When the word white comes to mind, the first thought that we have to fight with is that what if they become stained within some days?

How am I going to remove yellow stains from it? Honestly, this thought is genuine in the first place. Washing white shoes is much different than washing white soft cloth that we can easily clean and scrub in the washing machine and dryer.

But don’t worry..!

Today we have come up with tried and tested strategies that will be a lifesaver for you if you love wearing white shoes. Before moving to the strategies and ways that you can adopt to remove yellow stains from your favorite pair of shoes, let's first dig into the reasons why your shoes easily got scuffed and stained.

Why Do White Shoes Turn Yellow?

Yellowing stains don’t come overnight without any reason; they always become visible because we don't follow some preventive measures. Here are some reasons our white shoes turn yellow after wearing them once or twice.

Exposure to the Sun

Exposure to the Sun

We hardly ever thought that after cleaning stubborn stains from white shoes with a paper towel or a soft bristled brush, shoes must be properly soaked before keeping them under the sun. We become so tense after seeing the yellow stains on our shoes that we forget to take some precautionary measures post-wash.

After giving your white shoes direct exposure to the sun, they can easily catch a chemical reaction and become oxidized and stained within no time. Always ensure that after cleaning white shoes from any procedure, be it washing with soap or lemon juice, wrap the shoes in a paper towel before placing them under the sun.

Constant Sweating in White Leather Shoes

Constant Sweating

Constantly wearing white shoes and not giving a small break between wearing the same footwear can make yellow bleach stains accumulate on the shoes. Regular sweating in hot and humid weather can be a reason for shoe yellowing. So, don't forget to try different shoes and not rely on just one pair.

Using Cloth Detergent on Shoes

Cloth Detergent on Shoes

As we discussed earlier, not properly rinsing detergent or cleaning shoes might give shoe stains, especially on white shoes. But the most profound reason that most people don't know is that shoe construction is not made in a way that we use laundry detergent on them.

A specific detergent is made solely for shoe cleaning, and you should hop for that if you want to remove stains from white shoes efficiently.

Cleaning With Dirty Water

Cleaning With Dirty Water

Clean water is an ultimate necessity for everything, be it for cleansing purposes or drinking. Just like that when it comes to cleaning yellow stains from white shoes. Most of the time, water seems to be ok in the pipes but since pipes change in micro-district and rust tends to appear in the water. Ensure that the pipe you are using is clean and gives spotless water.


Effective ways to Get Yellow Stains Out of White Shoes

Method # 1: Use Toothpaste on White Sneakers

Use Toothpaste

Yellowing stains can be a hassle, but the hassle will no longer disturb you if you brush your teeth daily. Jokes apart, yes, now you can easily remove yellow stains and one white shoe with toothpaste's help without using harsh cleaning solutions. You might be thinking that how toothpaste can clean shoes.

This tick paste contains hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a bleaching agent and cleans stains very effectively. Just place some paste on old toothbrushes and rub the brush on the shoes vigorously. Do it until no stain is left on the shoes, and then dry them in the air.

Method # 2: Apply Baking Soda on Yellow Bleach Stains

Apply Baking Soda

We have tried to cover all the easiest ways of rinsing yellowish stains from white shoes from easily available materials in your home. Just like that, we have come up with a baking soda mixture solution. Baking soda is easily available in kitchens, and you don't have to head to the market to buy one. It contains sodium bicarbonate that can work effectively.

Take one tablespoon of baking soda and three tablespoons of warm water. Mix them in a bowl until a thick paste is formed. Again take an old toothpaste and gently apply it on the stains until all of them vanish. Within five minutes, you will see on food or any yellow stain on your favorite footwear.

Method # 3: Rub Dish Soap on Canvas Shoes

Rub Dish Soap

Dish soap has multiple properties when it comes to cleaning. It has the specific function of grabbing and observing oil and grease and making the utensils look neat and clean. But dish soaps are not just made to clean household utensils; you can also use them for shoe-cleaning purposes.

Take a shoe that has yellow stains and take a damp clean cloth. Apply some dish soap on the shoes having yellow stains and rub gently. After cleaning, don't forget to keep the shoes in the air and let them air dry for a day at least.

Method # 4: Apply Salt and Shampoo on the White Leather Shoe

Apply Salt and Shampoo

Salt is not just a flavoring agent used in kitchens for cooking purposes; it also has a vital role in cleaning. Making a salt and shampoo mixture works wonders in order to clean white canvas shoes. We all invest a lot of money in hair care, especially shampoos. You can now make use of shampoos in wonderful ways. To make the most of this solution, don't forget to use white vinegar and all these ingredients.

These ingredients together work wonders in cleaning yellow stains. Take a small bowl and add one tablespoon of shampoo and salt and half a tablespoon of white vinegar. Rub this solution into your favorite footwear with a damp cloth for at least half an hour at regular intervals. Please ensure not to rub it vigorously, or the shoe paint can vanish. Repeat the process until all the yellow stains are gone.

Method # 5: Use Bleach on White Rubber Shoes

Use Bleach

Pairing a white pair of shoes with ripped jeans and black tights makes a great fit for modest girls and boys. But what if you see yellow stains right when you are about to leave for a party or dinner? Seems horrific, right?

Don’t worry. You can now erase the toughest stains by using bleaches that are easily available at any supermarket and in homes. To remove the yellow stains on your favorite white shoes, apply a great amount of bleach and gently rub them with a clean wet cloth or a sponge. Don’t forget to wear protective gear while applying bleach because even a little exposure to this chemical the skin can cause irritation and allergy.

Method # 6: Make Use of Lemon Water

Use of Lemon Water

Who doesn’t like drinking lemon water, especially in hot and humid weather? Did you ever think for a while that the main component of lemon, which is citric acid, can be so helpful in removing yellow stains from white shoes?

Yes, you heard it right. Lemon water can be a great cleaning agent and help you remove yellowish stains from white shoes. Cut a lemon into two pieces and run each piece on a yellow stain for almost 15 minutes. Soon all the stains will be removed, and you will enjoy stain-free footwear.

Method # 7: Apply Castile Liquid Soap on Yellow Stains

Apply Castile Liquid Soap

You might not have heard about Castile liquid soap sit is not very common in households. It is the best natural soap to help remove stains without making the shoe look older and used. It is extracted from an organic plant, and the reason why it is considered so valuable for cleaning purposes is that it has nondetergent properties.

Every detergent has some chemicals that make it expensive, but this natural soap does not provide any chemical reaction to shoes. Applying Castile soap on shoes is easy; grab a bowl and sponge. Add two cups of castile soap and stained shoes to the bowl and wait 15 minutes. Rub shoes with the sponge, and you will see a clear difference.

Method # 8: Remove Stains from Alcohol

Remove Stains from Alcohol

Removing yellow stains through alcohol is not preferred since many people avoid using alcohol. But, if you are comfortable using alcohol for cleaning purposes, you can hop for cleaning yellow stains through it. Just dab a small amount of alcohol on shoes and then rub it on shoes with the help of a toothbrush or sponge.

Soon you will see that the yellow stain will start vanishing. Repeat the process for three to four days, and you will see visible results. Make sure to rub alcohol gently on the leather since it can remove the white paint on the shoes if not done properly.



How To Avoid Getting Yellow Stains on White Sneakers and Keep Them White?

Don't Make Direct Exposure of Shoes to The Sun

It is difficult sometimes to not dry leather shoes directly under the sun because sometimes there is cold weather, and you need sunlight for drying purposes. But trust me, direct sun exposure can make your shoes oxidize in no time. After removing stains from shoes, wrap them in a towel or bag and hand them somewhere without direct sunlight.

Polish White Shoes Regularly

The best way to avoid yellow stains on shoes and repeated wash cycles is to cleanse shoe dirt regularly. Please don't wait until yellow stains appear on your shoes and then go towards grabbing remedies for them. Keep cleaning and polishing shoes daily so they don't turn out to be muddy and dirty.

Clean Shoes Right Away After Getting Stains

We often get lazy when we see a pattern developing on our shoes or shirts and don't clean them on time. That's not the right way to deal with shoe safety. Once you feel that any grease or stain is getting on your shoes, wipe it right away, or else it will become a stubborn engraved stain.



Washing Rules That One Must Follow While Cleaning Yellow Stains on White Shoes

Washing Rules

If you have been wearing white shoes for ages, then you must know that sometimes manufacturers write precautions on shoes to not wash them directly into a washing machine. But sometimes, it is not written. If your shoe does not have a precaution label, then you can wear them in the washing machine, considering some rules in mind. If you keep these rules in mind while washing, then you don't need to worry about the after-effects or the harm that could be there to shoes.

  • - The first and foremost rule that you need to keep in mind is to remove the insoles. Most shoes come with removable insoles; you can easily remove them according to your preference. Before pouring shoes into the washing machine, don't forget to remove the insole and put the shoes in the laundry bag. You can easily have a laundry bag from any local market.
  • - The second most important consideration you need to keep in mind is not to use any cleansing gel with chlorine. Chlorine-containing detergents and gels make the shoes stained and darken.
  • - There are always three cleaning modes in every automatic machine; if you want to clean yellow stains, keep the lightest mode of the washing machine and remove the laces beforehand. If you will not remove the laces, then there is a risk that those laces will get stuck in the pipe while draining water.

For instance, if you don't have a washing machine available at the moment and have to wash your shoes on hand, there are also some rules you must follow. First, don't clean shoes with aggressive chemicals and chlorine detergents, as they will fade the color of white shoes. Secondly, if you are using a wash basin, don't exert extreme pressure while washing, as extreme pressure will tear apart the leather.

Finally, don't wash your shoes to clear yellow stains in warm water. Extremely hot water can tear out the leather or the shoe's top layer. It is nice to use mild warm water since mild-warm, water can loosen the stains before the detergent starts working but giving very warm water to your shoes can decrease the life expectancy of your favorite pair of shoes.



Final Verdict

This content will be quite informative for all those who love wearing white shoes but are tense about having yellow stains issues. Follow all the strategies we have discussed above on how you can remove these stained areas on white shoes and how you can avoid having mud or stain on your favorite footwear.

These strategies will be a lifesaver for you, and you now don't have to invest in a new pair of shoes.



Frequently Asked Questions


1. How to remove yellow bleach stains from white shoes using baking soda?

The key ingredient in baking soda makes cleaning white shoes relatively easy. Add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and one squeezed lemon into a bowl. Keep shoes in a warm water tub and pour the baking soda mixture into it. Rub a sponge on the shoes while keeping them in the same soda mixture. The yellow stains will vanish within some time.

2. How do you get yellow sweat stains out of shoes?

If you are a white shoe lover, you can easily get yellow sweat stains, especially in hot and humid weather. Don’t wear the same pair of shoes daily, and if, for instance, you get stains, then you can easily wipe them off with the help of detergent or the cleaning as mentioned above ways.