4 home remedies to make your white mesh shoes look like new

Airy, light and breathable

Mesh shoes are must-have in your shoe collection. They are airy, light and breathable, and also very fashionable. They impress with their perfect appearance... until the first signs of use appear on them. Fortunately, we know how to deal with them. 

Mesh shoes are usually made of plastic. Although they usually do not turn yellow like their fabric counterparts, washing them in a washing machine is not a good idea. However, if you decide to go this route, remember that small holes and unsightly, larger tears may appear on the delicate upper. We warned you! 

To avoid this scenario, act accordingly prevention is better than cure. Try to avoid wearing them on bare feet. This may result in stains and discoloration. It's worth having an eraser and a pack of wet wipes with you, which you can use whenever you notice dirt.

Already done with the birds? Keep your head up! We know how to renovate mesh shoes so that they look great again. Let's get started!

Delicate material requires gentle treatment

Mesh is a very delicate and sensitive material. Treating it harshly may cause irreversible damage! Instead of vigorously rubbing the dirt with a hard brush, be patient. A soft bristle brush and slow, circular movements repeated almost ad nauseum should bring the desired results. 

However, before you start, be sure to remove the laces. This way you will be able to thoroughly remove stubborn stains. Wash your shoelaces with white laundry to regain their pristine whiteness. You can also soak them in bleach. If this does not work, replace them with new ones. At a low cost, you will give your shoes a second life. 

Before using the methods we have discussed, be sure to wipe the uppers of your shoes with a soft-bristled brush. This way you will remove accumulated dust and dirt and prevent it from penetrating deep into the material.

#1 Dishwashing liquid and warm water

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to remove stubborn stains from mesh shoes is to use a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid. Rub the foam obtained in this way into the material with circular movements. Do this gently using an old toothbrush with soft bristles. 

Dirt doesn't come off? A good idea is to soak your shoes in a bowl of warm water and soap or dish soap. Remember, however, that drying wet shoes takes time. Do not speed up this process by using a hair dryer, as this may cause the sole to peel off.

Instead, leave your shoes in a warm, dry place. A good solution is to expose them to the sun, which will whiten the mesh a bit. To shorten the waiting time, you can put a white paper towel inside your shoes. Avoid old newspapers, which could discolor the upper.

#2 Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

If you want to get rid of spot dirt, you can prepare a paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and water in the proportions of 2:1:1. Rub the mixture into the dirt using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Do it carefully, in circular motions.

Leave the mixture on the shoes for about 30 minutes and then get rid of it thoroughly. Attention! This paste may have a whitening effect. It is also worth dragging it over the rest of the upper so that old dirt does not stand out from the rest of the material.

#3 Vinegar

Another home remedy for cleaning white mesh shoes is to use vinegar. You definitely have it in your kitchen! Pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on the dirt. If you leave your shoes in the sun, you will get an additional whitening effect and your shoes will look like new.

#4 Bleach

The last resort in the fight against dirt on white mesh in shoes may be a whitening product. Remember that this method may bring undesirable results, so it is worth treating it as a last resort.

To avoid yellow discoloration, be sure to mix bleach with water. Use the proportions 1:5. Also, don't forget to wear gloves. Apply the product point-wise to the material to remove visible dirt. Then, rinse the shoes with cool water and leave to dry completely.

Don't forget about the details

When your mesh shoes look almost new, don't forget about the details. The final effect may be the opposite of the intended one if you leave the laces dirty and the rubber on the sole turns yellow. To whiten it effectively, you can use a "magic sponge". Soak it in warm water and squeeze it thoroughly. Then wipe the soles until they are snow white again.