Crisp and clean white leather shoes are the ultimate springtime footwear for linen suits and floral dresses. However, if you discover your white leather shoes have black marks on them, you will need a simple home remedy to clean your shoes in a hurry. Whether your shoes are off-white or pure white, common household products will easily remove the dirt and grime from your favorite sandals, oxfords or flats.
Wipe surface dirt from shoes. Fill a small basin with warm water and a teaspoon of mild dish soap. Dip the tip of the small white cloth in the soapy mixture. Clean the entire shoe with the rag. Wipe the shoes dry with another clean cloth; let dry.
Clean shoes with baking soda paste. Mix 2 tbsp. baking soda with 1 tsp. warm water. Apply this paste to the black marks with a clean cloth. Gently rub the mixture into the white leather shoes, using a circular motion, until the shoe surface is covered, according to the experts at Good Housekeeping magazine.
Wipe shoes clean. Remove any baking soda residue with warm water. Wipe off shoes with a damp cloth without soap. Let dry for five minutes.
If a few black marks remain, apply white toothpaste to the leather. Whitening toothpaste that is gentle for tooth enamel will lift the black marks without damaging the white leather.
Condition leather shoes after cleaning. Moisturize the leather with a white shoe cream for leather shoes. Apply a clear paste polish to condition and prevent darkening of the white leather. Buff shoes with a soft-bristled brush for additional shine.