I’m a cleaning whizz – my easy toothbrush hack will get your filthy white trainers looking brand new again for summer
AS summer approaches, many of us will be whacking out our trusty white trainers.
Converse high-tops, Nike Air Force 1s and New Balance 480s are all popular choices… but there’s one problem.
It doesn’t take much for white trainers to look mucky.
And while it might be tempting to splurge on a new pair, there’s actually a little known cleaning hack that will make your trusty white kicks look brand new.
Gemma Taylor took to Facebook group Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips in search of advice to save her stained Converse high-tops.
And it turns out, all you need is a toothbrush and some Persil Ultimate Touch of Comfort Bio Laundry Washing Detergent
You can pick up a 46-wash bottle for just £7 in Asda.
“I ended up scrubbing some Persil Ultimate in the stains with a toothbrush, rehashed again and put outside in the sun,” Gemma penned.
The result was white trainers that looked brand new.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Laundry detergent is designed to lift even the heaviest of stains thanks to the enzymes present in gel.
Common enzymes in detergents include proteases, which break down proteins, lipases, which break down fats, and amylases, which break down starches.
Together, they help remove protein-based stains like sweat and blood, fat-based stains like oils and carbohydrate-based stains like food.
When you apply detergent to your trainers, the gel penetrates the fabric to reach the staining and marks.
It breaks muckiness down into smaller droplets that are easier for water to wash away.
What’s more, laundry detergents contain chemicals that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light, making fabrics appear whiter and brighter.
HOW TO DO IT?
To start, remove the laces and insoles from your trainers to wash them separately in warm, soapy water.
Then, add a few drops of laundry detergent to a bowl of warm water and mix it until it creates suds.
Dip a clean toothbrush into the soapy water and gently scrub the surface of the trainers, focusing on any dirty or stained areas.
Mrs Hinch’s cleaning fans recommend doing this in circular motions.
Top Tips for Cleaning White Trainers
- A small amount of baking soda mixed with the laundry detergent can help brighten your trainers
- If your kickers have stubborn stains or are particularly dirty, you might need to repeat the cleaning process
- To maintain their shape while drying, stuff the trainers with newspaper or kitchen roll
For tougher stains, you can apply a small amount of washing-up liquid directly to the toothbrush and scrub the area.
Pay special attention to seams, crevices, and the sole of the trainers where dirt builds up.
For the inside of the trainers, you can use the detergent solution on a cloth or sponge to wipe them down.
Dampen a clean cloth with plain water and wipe down the trainers to remove any soap residue and then pat them down with kitchen roll.
Once done, Mrs Hinch cleaning fans recommend leaving your white trainers in the sun to fully dry.