How to clean your white trainers and get rid of the yellow

With use, white trainers turn yellow in colour. Find out how to clean your white trainers so they look brand new.

White trainers are very ‘sensitive’ to stains and general wear and tear. To prevent them from getting dirty, and to keep them in the best possible condition, you can prevent this by applying a fabric protector to help repel dirt and water.

How to recover the white colour of trainers: follow these tips

If they already have yellow stains on them, the first thing you should do is remove the built up dust and more visible stains. Follow the steps below: 

• Hand wash the trainers: wash the trainers with luke warm water and mild soap. Gently scrub the stains using a soft brush or a sponge to remove the dirt.
• Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar: mix bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar in equal parts to make a paste. Apply the paste to the stains and scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Leave to dry for a few hours and then remove the paste with a damp cloth.
• Machine was the trainers: if your trainers can be machine washed, wash them on a delicate cycle with cold water and mild clothes detergent. You can add a little white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help to remove the stains.

How to remove the yellow colour from the rubber on trainers

Sometimes the yellow colour doesn’t come off in the wash, but don’t despair, you can try the following tips:

1. Use oxygenated water: mix oxygenated water with water in equal parts and apply the mixture to the yellow areas. Leave to activate for a few minutes and then rinse with cold water.
2. Use a whitener: you can use a whitener specifically for white clothing or multipurpose whitener. Make sure you follow the product instructions and wear gloves to protect your hands.
3. Apply bicarbonate of soda: mix the bicarbonate of soda with water until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to the yellow areas and leave to activate for a few minutes before rinsing with cold water.
4. Leave the trainers in the sun: if you don’t want to use chemical products, you can leave the trainers in the sun for a few hours. Natural sunlight will help to whiten them.