Everyone loves their white sneakers, especially when they are fresh out of the box.
But the trick to keeping your kicks looking fashion forward is to keep the suckers clean.
I recently had to discard a pair of leather Converse at a hotel in Bali after they were caught in a freak wave and ended up filled with teeny-tiny granules of sand that would have been impossible to remove.
So next time I invest in a pair of fresh whites, I'll be following these tips to keep my babies looking brand spanking new.
All shoes were created equal
But some shoes require a bit more TLC than others. The first trick to keeping your Chuck Taylors whiter than snow is to treat them like your best shoes. Would you wear your best brogues to the beach? No. Would you wear your stilettos to a music festival? No. You get the picture.
Set some time aside for cleaning your sneakers, just as you would your work shoes. And leather stays cleaner longer than canvas, if that helps sway your purchasing decision.
White hot ... model Gigi Hadid showing off her pristine sneakers. Photo: Getty Images
Before the first wear ...
Susan Huynh from MyBagSpa in Melbourne suggests taking any expensive shoes to a shoe care professional before first wear to protect the leather.
She says a clear coating will repel liquid and protect against scuff marks, scratches and protects colour, while maintaining the breathability of the fabric.
After a protectant has been applied, she says baby wipes are handy for removing small marks. But she advises against using baby wipes on unprotected shoes, as it can leave a mark.
Clean as a whistle ... model Cara Delevingne steps out in white kicks. Photo: Getty Images
Mister Sheen is your friend ...
If your runners have rubber soles, then clean them like rubber soles, not leather. Get out the general purpose cleaner and give them a generous scrub – the rubber won't mind. Just be careful not to get the kitchen spray on the leather uppers of your shoes – that would be a real downer.
... but the washing machine is not
Huynh says no matter how dirty your kicks get, resist the temptation to put them in the machine, even on a gentle cycle.
"You can basically throw it away after it's washed," she says.
But it is OK to put your laces through the wash.
Keep up the good work
If you get a stain on your shoes, clean it as soon as possible. Even an hour can be enough for some stains to settle into the fabric. The trick is to get those suckers before they move in and start setting up furniture.
"Don't use detergent to wash your canvas shoes as this leaves sud marks and can turn the rubber sole yellow."