3 Easy Ways to Remove Yellow Stains from White Shoes

A pair of white shoes adds elegance to your dressing and matches almost every outfit. But it is hard to keep them looking their best as they get dirty and stained easily. 

The sad thing is that these shoes lead to strains on the uppers. These yellow stains can quickly ruin your favourite pair of shoes if they are not removed in a timely manner. 

But the good news is that there is an easy DIY solution and specialised cleaning product to remove these stains and keep your favourite boot looking new.

For more comprehensive tips on maintaining your white shoes, check out our detailed guide on how to clean white shoes.

In this guide, I will discuss various tried-and-tested DIY methods and cleaning solutions that you can employ to remove the yellow stains from your white cleat.

Why do yellow streaks appear on white shoes?

There are different causes of yellow stains on white boots. 

1. Sweat: 

Sweat is one of the most common causes of yellowing of the cleat. It happens due to the sweating of your leg.

When you wear your shoes, sweat produced by your leg is absorbed by the boot’s fabrics, and due to the presence of salt and other components, it causes the boot to decolor.

2. Dirt and Grime:

White cleats easily pick up dirt, and the accumulation of this dirt embedded in the fabrics or leather of your boot over time leads to a yellowish hue, especially if you do not clean your cleat regularly.

3. Exposure to the Sun Light:

Prolonged exposure to sunlight leads to boot discoloration due to oxidation. This is more common in synthetic and rubber-based shoes.  

4. Ageing:

Everything has a life the same as with the boot. As the boot gets older, its fabrics start leaving their colour. 

5. Harsh Cleaning Product:

Certain cleaning substances, such as bleach, can cause shoes to discolour and turn yellow if they are not used in the correct proportion.

How to Prevent Your Boot from Yellow Stains

1. Store the shoes Properly:

When not in use for a long period of time, store the shoes in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.

2. Do Not Dry your shoes in direct sunlight:

Dry your boots in the open air, away from direct sunlight. If your shoes remain in direct sunlight for an extended period of time, they can turn yellow due to oxidation or fade.

3. Clean the shoes Frequently:

Make a habit of Cleaning your shoes after every use or at least after every alternate day to prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime. Wipe off the dirt and grime with a damp cloth or with the help of the brush after use.

4. Avoid washing your shoes with Bleach:

Bleach is a highly concentrated chemical that can damage the fabrics of shoes and turn them yellow if not diluted properly with water. Instead, look for a natural solution when cleaning your cleats.

5. After Washing, Wrap your shoes with toilet paper or Tissue paper:

After washing, wrap and stuff the shoes with tissue or toilet paper. It will soak up any yellow stain that has settled into the fabrics.

6. Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions:

Always check and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for caring for and cleaning the boot. Following the wrong method can damage the shoes and alter their colour.

7. Avoid exposure of your shoes to harmful Environment

Avoid wearing the shoes in an environment where they are exposed to a substance that causes discoloration of the shoes, such as chemicals and excessive moisture.

8. Protective Spray:

You can also use protective spray or water repellent on your shoes. These sprays create a barrier, repelling dirt, stains, and liquids and helping keep your boots clean longer.

How to Remove yellow stains from the white shoes (simple DIY solution)

1. Water and Toilet Paper:

Take toilet paper and a bowl of water. Wet the toilet or tissue paper in the water, then wrap it on the shoes.

Leave it for 24 hours, and it will absorb the yellow stain from the boot. When the toilet paper dries up, remove it from the s

2. Salt and Hot Water:

It is the easiest and most effective DIY method to remove yellow stains from your shoes. Take 240 ml of hot water in a bowl, add one tablespoon (70 gm) of salt, and stir it until the salt dissolves completely.

Now, take a clean toothbrush, dip it in saltwater, and scrub the stain with it. You must scrub it several times until the stain disappears.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide (Tatar solution):

Add 1 litre of hot water and 110 grams of hydrogen peroxide to a bucket and mix with a spoon until the peroxide is wholly dissolved in the water.

Now, soak the shoes in the solution (ensuring they are completely submerged) for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, check to see if they have been cleaned. If not, put them again in the solution for an hour.

If the stains are light, they fade away quickly, but if the stains are darker, you need to soak the shoes in the solution for a longer duration, about one to one and a half hours.

Once the yellow stains are removed, remove the shoes from the solution and wash them thoroughly with cool water to remove any remaining tatar solution, as it is an acid and a bit harsh on the shoes. Air-dry the shoes completely before wearing them again.

hoes.Repeat the process again if some stains remain.

Conclusion:

Yellow stain is a common problem that every individual encounters. The best way to keep your white shoes stain-free is to clean them frequently. 

Even if your shoes turn yellow, you can remove them using the simple DIY method mentioned above.

I use salt and water to remove my shoes’ yellow stains and sometimes water and toilet paper. How do you remove your shoes’ yellow stain? Let me know in the comment section.

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