How to clean white sneakers

Match the method to the material

• Knit or mesh. Nike says to avoid bleach and harsh cleaners, and to use mild soapy water, rubbing in the direction of the knit. FitFlop says to dab, never scrub, and never soak or machine wash.
• Leather. Nike says not to scrub too hard or you could damage the leather. FitFlop suggests a soft damp cloth with a little mild soap, and no bleach.
• Canvas. FitFlop suggests a toothbrush dipped in warm water and mild detergent, and says to avoid full soaking. Reviewed uses dish soap and a soft brush. Today.com gives a paste of 2 tablespoons each of baking soda, hot water and hydrogen peroxide, applied with a toothbrush.

Soles and scuffs

FitFlop says to clean soles with a soft brush or sponge and keep the cleaner off the upper, to avoid discolouring it. Reviewed says a melamine sponge, the kind sold as a magic eraser, wipes off scuffs, and that a white non-gel toothpaste left on for about ten minutes also works.

Laces

Nike says to massage the laces by hand, rinse and dab them dry. FitFlop says to soak them in warm soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes, lay them flat to dry, and to skip the bleach.

Drying

Nike says to air dry at room temperature, for at least eight hours. FitFlop says not to dry in direct sun or on a radiator, because it can yellow the shoes. Today.com says to stuff the toes with paper, and says the dryer can shrink canvas.

A safety rule

Do not mix bleach with other cleaners. Poison Control says mixing bleach with an acid makes chlorine gas, and that many household cleaners, including vinegar, are acids. Clorox says never to mix bleach with ammonia, and not to mix it with toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers or vinegar. Nike and FitFlop both say to skip bleach on these shoes anyway.

Where sources disagree

• Machine washing. Nike says it does not recommend it, and Today.com says the verdict is mixed.
• Soaking. Reviewed soaks canvas in a baking soda mix for at least an hour. FitFlop says to avoid full soaking. We would follow the more cautious advice.
• Sun. Today.com says canvas can dry in the sun for about three hours but turns yellow if left out too long. FitFlop says to avoid it.