Great question and thank you for the suggestions in the replies.

I would love to know the answer to this question too! Apart from not wearing white shoes on muddy rainy dirty dusty days, I don’t know how to overcome it! Likewise how does one wear white pants without always worrying about whether the seat is clean enough to sit on!

There’s a surface spray you can buy at the shoe store that serves as a protective layer

Arrgh the white shoe struggle. I was told to use a little bit of Jif on white shoes.. not too much though. Apparently it takes the mark off very well. I’m also wondering if those magic wall cleaning erasers would work, they get alot of things off walls, why not shoes?

I totally get your struggle with white shoes! To keep them looking fresh, try wiping them down after each wear with a damp cloth or even baby wipes for a quick clean. If they get really dirty, a mix of baking soda and water with a soft toothbrush can work wonders on stains. You could also use a sneaker protector spray to help keep dirt and water off them. And if the shoes are machine washable, a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent can do the trick. Hope these tips help!

I have given up and figured that they are there to be worn, not pristine. I get that you want them looking ok. Every now and then I might run them through the washing machine with some Vanish powder but other than that, they are what they are….worn and loved shoes!!!

I wash them regularly in the machine with a good soaker.

Along with the gentle cleaning of shoes; there are also products that can be purchased to make them white again. I tend to buy these products from good shoe shops. A good shoe shop can take a look at the shoes and recommend the best products to use on purchased shoes.

I used to just repaint them regularly with white shoe polish.

I read several people write here to let the shoes dry in the sun. Personally I would be careful with that.
The yellowing of shoes is a complex process influenced by UV radiation, heat, chemical reactions, and environmental factors. To minimize yellowing, it’s advisable to dry shoes in a shaded, cool area rather than in direct sunlight.

If the shoes have a textile upper, I normally pretreat them with stain remover and throw them in the washing machine, then I dry them in the sun. If they’re leather or synthetic leather upper, I wipe them down with a damp cloth and use an old toothbrush for any tough spots.

I always keep on top of keeping shoes clean by regularly cleaning them. Similar to clothes; shoes need regular cleaning and maintenance. I do not use anything too harsh on shoes and gently wiping is always the way to go with shoes. Setting up a cleaning routine is always a good idea.

I usually just pop my white sneakers into the washing machine along with some napisan – they come up beautiful and sparkling white. Then just pop them outside ontop of the line to dry out in the sun. I also do this for my daughters basketball shoes however in-between games she just uses a wet wipe to keep any scuff marks off. I was nervous at first about putting shoes in the washing machine but if you pop them in a laundry bag they are fine and honestly come out looking brand new.

my biggest tip would be to clean them everytime you get back from out. So you wear them out, straight away give them a quick wipe down with an unscented wipe or water and tissue. This keeps mine super clean

You can get some really good shoe cleaners that you can use and don’t even need to wash off. I also like to keep completely white shoes in a sunny spot. I noticed any black shoes outside start to turn a reddish in the sun but it makes white shoes whiter.

What kind of sketchers, Go walks? Those bad boys can go in the washing machine and hang on the line. I have a light grey pair and give a little scrub with a toothbrush then chuck them in delicate bags in the machine on a delicate wash. For other sneakers, like leather look, the way to keep them looking schmick is to clean them after every wear with dish detergent and a toothbrush. Mud and dirt can stain, so you have to get on it before it sets in. It’s a hassle, yes, but worth it for cute clean shoes.

I think one of the most important things is before wearing your new shoes, pre-treat with a waterproofer or stain repellent, such as a Scotchguard, for canvas or something similar for leather. Reapply every few weeks. Soles can be easily scrubbed with a brush or tootbrush and Jif.
When it’s canvas I regulary give them a scrub with Sunlight block soap and then rinse thouroughly. Sometimes I put them in the washing machine after I let them air dry (not in the sun)