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If your sneakers are more bashed up than box fresh, then this is how to make them dazzling white again

A pair of classic white trainers are essential to anyone's closet. Be it chunky New Balance and Alexander McQueen versions, sporty Nike and Adidas offerings, or sleek Veja and Converse shoes, adding a pair to a silk midi dress, vintage jeans and a t-shirt, or a floral mini, lends every ensemble a laid-back feel.

And while scuffed-up white trainers can look great (here's looking at you, Converse All Stars), it's dazzling, box fresh white sneakers that are truly chic.

Unfortunately, existing mainly on your feet and all, white trainers are not prone to staying that dazzling box-fresh white for long, with scuffs and stains swiftly ruining them.

But bashed-up kicks shouldn't mean they deserve the bin. Instead, you can give your trainers new life, and restore them to their former glory.

We spoke to Bart Kaniuk, Head of Operations and Restoration Specialist at ShoeSpa, and The Restory's co-founder Thaís Cipolletta, to find out exactly how to clean white trainers at home.

'Anything!' says Cipolletta, 'It can be dust build-up, mud, food spills, sun damage, scratches... Some materials are more resilient to surface dirt (such as leather, compared to canvas), but generally a light-coloured shoe will require some regular maintenance.'

Frequent and prolonged direct sunlight exposure can cause white trainers to fade over time, so when storing them, it's important to keep them away from any direct light (artificial or otherwise) to prevent the dazzling white colour from going dull.

The more often you wear your trainers, the more likely they will accumulate stains and dirt, so try to watch your step to avoid particularly messy situations.

But, try not to over clean your trainers either, as excessive cleaning can also cause white colour fading, so at some point, a form of professional colour restoration may be necessary to bring back the dazzling white.

Take the laces off your shoes, leave them to soak in either water or water with a small amount of baking soda added, or a water and soap solution, and make sure you do it on a clear a countertop that can be wiped down easily.

Follow the above steps but use professional leather cleaning milk.

However, if you don't have leather cleaning milk to hand, there are other substitutes: very diluted bleach or white vinegar (excessive use of any chemical can rub the dye from the trainers) and, very diluted hair shampoo.

The use of a toothbrush works particularly well on leather, but remember to be extra gentle – treat leather like you would your skin.

It's great to use a leather balm after the cleaning process to nourish the leather and keep it properly moisturised.

And as for the increasingly popular vegan leather styles? 'Vegan leather could refer to either a plastic based material or an organic one, such as mushroom leather for example,' explains Cipolletta. 'Be extra careful when it's an organic material, and always make sure to follow the brand's recommendations. Or if in doubt, send them to a specialist.'

Shoelaces can be cleaned with fabric soap or stain remover in a small bowl, but sometimes if they are frayed or heavily soiled, they are beyond repair. In that case, The Restory offers a lace replacement service for £10, sourcing laces in as close a match as possible to the original.

Meanwhile, midsoles can be easily wiped with a damp cloth or a trainer cleaning solution. If insoles are fixed in the shoe, wipe with a damp cloth and let it air dry. If they are removable you can clean the upper and lower parts before drying, re-shaping and reinserting them.

Cleaning soles every so often is a really good idea as it provides a hygiene boost, especially if you’re wearing them indoors around the home, and improves grip as they won’t have a film of dirt and debris over them.

Professional cleaning milk and professional leather balm are the best products for trainer cleaning. For best results, buy cotton cleaning sheets and brushes as advised by the cleaning product manufacturers. Cipolletta also recommends using horseshoe brushes for dusting off normal buildup.

The frequency of cleaning depends on the usage and condition of your trainers. Excessive cleaning can cause leather and fabric deterioration, so it really isn’t necessary to clean them too often. However, visible stains should be removed the same day, ideally before they dry out and stick to the surface.

It may seem like the quick, easy, and hands-off solution, but don’t be tempted to put them in the washing machine as this can cause long term damage both for the washing machine and the trainers.

Putting trainers in the washing machine can melt the glue, cause any logo to fade, damage the structure of the shoe, and in some cases cause colour transfer (dark internal linings can stain the outer layers), so it is definitely not recommended.

Some performance trainers, however, for running and sports will recommend washing machine clean on their instructions – so make sure to check the label.

If all of this seems a bit too much like hard work, or you fear your trainers need specialty TLC, then ShoeSpa are offering free pickup and delivery for their shoe restoration service. The Restory also offers a vast cleaning and repair menu to get your trainers back into tip-top condition – including specialist restoration for high-end designer trainers specifically.

When not being worn, use cedar shoetrees to keep them in proper shape and minimise wrinkles. They’re long-lasting, provide a clean, fresh scent and draw out any moisture to prolong the life of your trainers. Alternatively, you can stuff your trainers with a kitchen towel to help them keep their shape.

Store them in a dry place, away from any sources of humidity or heat, and away from direct sunlight as it accelerates the oxidation process.

Where possible, use the dust bags that manufacturers provide, or any cotton bag, or store trainers in cardboard shoe boxes.

If you’re storing your trainers for longer, give them a clean and nourish the leather before putting them away so the material doesn’t dry out and stains don’t settle in.

Also, you might be tempted to wear your trainers every day, but look after them by giving them a bit of a break - alternate your shoes so they can all rest.

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