How to clean trainers with ammonia, dish soap and sodium percarbonate

Your washing machine can distort shapes, weaken glue and fade colours, yet plenty of people still toss their trainers in on a quick cycle and cross their fingers. Meanwhile, a quieter DIY approach is becoming more popular, aiming for clean, bright sneakers without bleach or baking soda.

The trainer problem no one talks about

Trainers have become central to both style and everyday wear. From white canvas staples to chunky dad sneakers and vegan-leather pairs worn to the office, they all collect grime, street dust and sweat faster than most of us manage to deal with.

Putting them through the wash can curl soles, compromise adhesives and even lift printed logos. Bleach may turn crisp white textiles an odd yellow and can weaken stitching. Baking soda used alone can leave a chalky residue, and it doesn’t always shift stubborn, ground-in dirt.

For many sneakers, the real damage comes less from mud than from harsh products and rushed cleaning routines.

On top of that, synthetic uppers, vinyl sections and blended materials don’t behave the same way with standard detergents. What’s fine for canvas can pull colour from suede or create shiny marks on faux leather.

The unexpected mix that actually works

More cleaning professionals are now pointing to a straightforward two-stage method using common products: first, a diluted bath of mild ammonia with washing-up liquid; then, an oxygen-style boost using sodium percarbonate. No bleach, and no baking-soda “volcano” on the worktop.

Step one: the ammonia and dish soap bath

Ammonia can sound a bit daunting, but when it’s properly diluted it’s very good at breaking down greasy marks and urban grime. Combined with basic washing-up liquid, it helps lift sweat, surface dirt and dark scuffs without wrecking most fabrics.

• Pour about 3 litres of lukewarm water into a plastic bucket or basin.
• Add one measure of mild washing-up liquid.
• Add the same measure of clear household ammonia.
• Take out the laces and insoles.
• Put the shoes and laces into the solution and soak for at least one hour.
• Rinse well with fresh water and leave to air-dry away from direct heat.

The aim is gentle soaking, not violent scrubbing: let chemistry soften the dirt before your brush even touches the fabric.

This initial soak helps release dried-on mud and salty sweat residue that quick handwashing often leaves behind. It also gets the material ready for the brightening step that comes next.

Safety notes you should not skip

Ammonia must be handled sensibly. Use it in a well-ventilated area, wear simple gloves, and never combine it with bleach or anything containing chlorine - that reaction creates toxic gas. Keep to the washing-up-liquid pairing and rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Step two: sodium percarbonate, the quiet brightener

After the first deep clean, the next stage is designed to tackle greying fabric and faint staining: sodium percarbonate. It’s the working ingredient in many “oxygen” laundry boosters. When mixed with water hotter than about 40°C, it releases oxygen that penetrates fibres and lifts discolouration without stripping them.

Sodium percarbonate behaves like a controlled oxygen bomb inside the fabric, pushing out dullness while leaving the structure intact.

It’s particularly well suited to white or very pale trainers, especially canvas pairs that show every mark. Compared with harsher bleaching agents, it’s more likely to leave the weave and overall structure looking natural.

How to use sodium percarbonate on trainers

After the ammonia and soap wash:

1. Use a fresh basin and add hot water - not boiling, but comfortably above 40°C.
2. Mix in two tablespoons of sodium percarbonate, stirring until fully dissolved.
3. Lower the trainers in face down so the uppers are completely covered; add the laces as well.
4. Leave to soak for two to four hours, checking from time to time.
5. Rinse extremely well to remove any remaining product.
6. Pack the shoes with paper to help them hold their shape, then let them air-dry.

Most fabric comes out noticeably brighter, without the stiff, brittle feel chlorine bleach can leave behind. If marks persist, use a soft brush dipped in the mixture to work on toe caps or side panels before returning the trainers to the longer soak.

What works for which material?

Material	Ammonia + dish soap	Sodium percarbonate
White canvas	Very effective for dirt and sweat	Excellent for brightening and stain lift
Coloured fabric	Generally safe if colours are stable	Test first, may fade weak dyes
Synthetic leather / vinyl	Short soak or wipe only	Use with caution, prefer spot treatment
Real leather	Use a damp cloth, avoid full soaking	Not recommended
Suede / nubuck	Avoid soaking, brush dry instead	Avoid

Before you commit to a full deep clean, it’s wise to test colourfastness on a hidden patch - particularly on limited-edition pairs.

Why skip the washing machine?

Most household machines spin faster than trainers are designed to tolerate. Over time, repeated washes can crack midsoles, loosen glued parts and torque the shoe out of shape. Hot programmes may also shrink certain textiles and warp layered overlays.

Soaking by hand and using targeted products takes longer, but it gives you control. You can keep the water level down, limit contact with delicate areas and stop as soon as the shoe is clean enough.

Odour control and drying: the missing steps

Smells often linger after a quick wash because bacteria can sit deep in the lining and insole. Taking the insoles out and cleaning them separately makes a real difference. Some people add a small amount of sodium percarbonate or an oxygen-based powder only to the insole soak, then rinse it very thoroughly.

Drying is also crucial for the end result. Leaving trainers on a hot radiator can cause cracking or yellowing. A shaded, airy spot is safer. Filling the shoes with undyed paper or a clean cotton towel draws moisture from inside, which helps prevent musty odours and stops the toe box collapsing.

How often to clean, and when to stop

If you wear trainers daily around town, a deep clean every one to three months is usually enough to keep them looking decent. Between those bigger washes, light touch-ups - a damp cloth, a soft brush, or a quick sole wipe - can reduce the need for long soaks.

Even with an effective cleaning routine, certain signs suggest it’s nearly time to replace a pair:

• Cracked midsoles that no longer support your foot.
• Layers separating that won’t bond back securely.
• Strong odours that return a few days after washing.
• Inner lining damage severe enough to rub your skin.

Beyond cleaning: making trainers last longer

A gentler routine does more than make trainers look better in photos. It can extend how long you can actually wear a pair, which helps reduce waste and replacement costs. Many sneakers rely on plastics and synthetic foams that can sit in landfill for decades; getting a few extra seasons out of one pair matters more than buying the next limited drop.

Simple habits also help: alternate between two pairs, use removable insoles you can wash separately, and store shoes dry and not squashed. Alongside the ammonia and sodium percarbonate approach, these small changes can make a fragile white trainer feel like a longer-term staple rather than a short-lived fashion buy.