Keeping white sneakers white

White sneakers go with almost everything, which is exactly why they get worn so often, and why they lose their brightness so quickly. Between Lagos dust, sudden rain and long days on your feet, a clean white pair can look tired within weeks. The good news is that keeping them fresh takes minutes, not hours.

Wipe them after you wear them

The easiest stain to remove is the one that has not set. Keep a soft cloth or a pack of unscented wipes by the door and give the uppers and the sides of the sole a quick wipe when you take them off. It takes less than a minute and saves you a deep clean later.

A proper clean, once a week

• Take out the laces and the insoles.
• Brush off loose dirt with a soft, dry brush, paying attention to the seams and the sole.
• Mix a few drops of mild soap into a bowl of lukewarm water.
• Scrub gently with a soft brush or an old toothbrush, working in small circles.
• Wipe away the suds with a clean, damp cloth.

Wash the laces by hand in the same soapy water, or replace them. Fresh white laces make an old pair look new.

What to avoid

Bleach can turn white leather and rubber yellow, and the washing machine can loosen the glue that holds the sole in place. Strong sunlight can also yellow white rubber, so dry your sneakers in the shade.

Drying and storing

Stuff them with clean paper towels to hold their shape and soak up moisture, then leave them somewhere cool and airy. Never put them on a radiator or in direct sun. Once they are dry, store them in a cupboard or a shoe bag, away from dust.

Protect them from the start

A water and stain repellent spray, used when the pair is new and again every few weeks, makes every clean easier. Rain, spills and dust sit on the surface instead of soaking in.

Looked after this way, a good white pair stays bright for seasons, not weeks.