How to Transport and Keep Your Cheer Shoes Clean

White shoes and clothes are hard to keep clean. Cheer shoes, worn on football fields, black tops, gym floors and more, can be even more difficult to keep sleek and bright white, especially if you have to transport them from gyms to games to competitions. While it may seem impossible to keep your cheer shoes perfectly white, there are a few ways you can keep your shoes looking as clean as the day you first took them out of the box. Here are our cleaning and transport tips: 1) Go synthetic. The easiest cheer shoes to clean are those with a synthetic upper. If you buy shoes that are all leather or have a mesh top, they can be a little more difficult to clean. Whenever you’re shopping for cheer shoes, look for the magic word: synthetic. 2) Tread carefully. Only wear your cheer shoes during performances and practice. Your coach has probably told you a dozen times, but it’s true: do not wear your cheer shoes outside, unless you’re cheering at a game. Even walking across a parking lot from the gym to your car can scuff up your shoes. Whenever you leave practice, a competition, or game, always change out of your cheer shoes. 3) Clean ASAP. When you do discover a dirt mark on your shoe, it’s important to immediately clean it. The longer the dirt sits, the longer it has to sink in and stain permanently. The faster you can clean the dirt, the easier it will be to remove the spot. 4) Be careful with the washing machine. Yes, you can use a washing machine for many styles and brands of cheer shoes. However, results can vary. Before you toss them in the machine, check the shoebox for any warnings. Some may specifically advise against washing them by machine. Keep in mind that some shoes may tighten with washing. 5) Upcycle an old toothbrush. A toothbrush makes a great cleaning tool for cheer shoes (just keep the brush separate from the one you use in your mouth!). One way to clean your shoes is to lightly dip the bristles of the toothbrush in bleach. Then, lightly scrub away any spots. When it comes to bleach, the key word is “lightly.” Bleach is a strong chemical and can damage your shoes if not used correctly. If the stain isn’t so intense, use water and toothpaste instead of bleach. As if you were brushing your teeth, brush any dirt marks with the toothbrush. After brushing each spot, use a damp cloth to wipe off the toothpaste residue. If you choose to use bleach instead of toothpaste, ask a parent for help! Bleach permanently stains everything it touches and you can injure your skin if you spill any on you. 6) In a pinch, use makeup remover. If a shoe stain isn’t prominent, or if you notice a stain right before a performance, try using makeup remover. Wipe or lightly rub the dirt spot. 7) Soap and water is always an old standby. If you’d rather not get out the bleach, toothpaste, or makeup remover, just use what’s guaranteed to be in every bathroom: soap and water. With a dampened (not drenched) rag, towel, or napkin, add a small amount of soap and lightly rub the dirt mark on the shoe. Then, wipe off with clean water. 8) When in doubt, use shoe polish. If a stain or dirt spot is really stubborn, try covering up the mark instead of removing it. With a damp sponge, apply a light layer of white shoe polish. Let the polish dry for about 15 minutes or so. 9) Be gentle. When transporting your shoes, don’t just toss them into your bag. Even if you’re just going home from the gym, treat your shoes with care. 10) Compartmentalize. The easiest way to keep your shoes clean is to carry them in a bag that has a specific shoe compartment. Not only will this keep your cheer uniform and other accessories from getting dirty and smelly, it will save your shoes from any nicks from safety pins or stains from makeup. Just remember, some stains, like one from a permanent marker, can never be removed and are hard to cover. No matter what way you try to clean your shoe, always start out slowly. Less is more when it comes to water, bleach, toothpaste, soap, and makeup remover. How do you keep your cheer shoes clean? Comment and share your tips and tricks!