Shoe lovers often struggle with various issues about their shoes.
One of the most common issues is the yellowish sole of the shoe. It won’t happen just after buying a new shoe. But after a few months, it can start getting yellow, which you won’t like for sure.
The question is, how to whiten yellow soles on shoes to give them a fresh look?
Well, that depends on the type of shoe. Even though yellow soles are mostly common for canvas shoes and white sneakers, there is no universal rule that fits all. The method will vary depending on the sole type.
We have shared the best methods here that you can follow to get rid of the yellowish look of your favorite shoe sole.
Read Also: How to Seal Sharpie on Canvas Shoes.
3 Easy Methods to Get Rid of Yellow Soles
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The methods we have shared here are easy to follow. There is no need for any fancy ingredients for whitening the shoe sole.
Method 1: Whiten Yellow Soles on Shoes with Baking Soda
Following this method, you can clean yellow soles with household items. All it requires are some basic ingredients. But the primary ingredient is baking soda.
Baking soda works as a versatile cleaning agent that you can apply to different things. It has powerful cleaning elements that can wash away dirt, dust, or stains from objects. For yellow soles of canvas and sneakers, you can easily make a mixture of baking soda with some other ingredients.
Grab a piece of lemon, a cup of warm water, and 3 spoons of baking soda. Mix 5-6 ml of lemon juice with three spoons of baking soda. Add 20-30 ml of warm water to the mixture. Stir the whole thing gently with a metal object or spoon. A thick mixture will prepare what you need to apply.
Take a washcloth and dip it on the mixture. Now apply the mixture on the soles and give it a hard rub. Keep rubbing the soles, and gradually it will become white. Following the same way, there is too much yellow.
Finally, wash the sole with clean water and let it dry. You can turn yellow shoes white fast and easily with this method. The sole can recover up to 90% of the actual color.
Method 2: Clean Yellow Soles with Toothpaste
If the soles are not too yellow and you want to restore yellowed soles with less effort, toothpaste can be the best agent.
But before you start applying toothpaste on the sole, keep two things in mind. It won’t work for too old shoes, and you must have to apply white toothpaste as colored toothpaste has less effect. Also, never use gel toothpaste; it won’t have any effect on the yellow soles of shoes.
Grab an old toothbrush that has relatively hard bristles. Squeeze toothpaste in the same amount as you used to take for brushing your teeth. Now apply the toothbrush on the yellow sole like you are brushing your teeth. Keep the motion circular so that you don’t miss any part. Keep rubbing the toothbrush for at least 2 to 3 minutes.
Now let the shoe rest for 5-10 minutes. Take a damp washcloth and remove the toothpaste from the sole with it. Apply gentle pressure while rubbing the cloth. The shoe sole will recover most of its original color.
Method 3: How to Clean Yellow Soles with Hydrogen Peroxide
If you can arrange hydrogen peroxide, it would be helpful to get rid of yellow soles. You can search in local stores or online stores for this liquid solution. Hydrogen peroxide used to be cheap.
You will have to make a paste with the liquid. Pour 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide into a jar. Add 2 teaspoons of baking soda with the liquid. Stir the solution with a spoon until it becomes a thick paste. You can clean white sneaker soles or get rid of a yellowish look from the canvas sole.
Grab an old toothbrush to apply the solution on a shoe sole. Take a bit of paste from the jar on the toothbrush. Apply it on the shoe sole and rub gently all over the sole. Like method 2, keep the motion circular. Let the shoe rest for at least an hour. You can keep it in a dry and warm place.
Finally, wash the solution from the sole with tape water. You will surprisingly notice the sneaker sole or canvas sole is looking like new.
Also Read: How to Remove Spray Paint from Shoes.
Some Pro Tips to Whiten Yellowish Soles
- Always keep the shoe sole clean to avoid a yellow spot
- Clean dust and debris from the sole once you reach home
- Wash your canvas shoes at least once a week
- Try to avoid mud on the shoe sole
- For white sneakers, clean the sole with hydrogen peroxide once a month.
Final Words
Follow any of the above methods. You won’t have to search again how to whiten yellow soles on shoes. You will get the same suggestions from everyone.
However, don’t try too hard in any of the above methods. If the shoe is too old, you can hardly recover the actual sole color no matter how hard you try.
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