What to Check Before You Send Sneakers and White Shoes: Yellowing, Odours, and How Different Materials Are Treated

Last updated: 13 November 2026 | This article is based on EN Laundry’s currently published collection, quoting and treatment processes, and will be updated if the rules change.

Before you send sneakers or white shoes for cleaning, check three things: what the shoes are made of, whether yellowing is oxidation or leftover detergent, and whether they will be fully dry when they’re done. Those three decide how much of the original look can come back, and whether a smell will return a few days later. EN Laundry’s shoe cleaning usually takes about 5–7 business days.

Different shoe materials, different treatments

• Sports shoes and mesh shoes: brushed by hand in sections; we don’t scrub mesh hard, so it isn’t stretched or distorted. Yellow and black soil on the midsole and foxing is treated separately.
• Canvas shoes and white shoes: we first judge the cause of the yellowing; the treatment depends on the cause.
• Leather shoes and boots: not soaked. After cleaning we apply a care oil, and the shaft is supported so it doesn’t collapse.
• Suede and nubuck: a dry clean with a specialist brush for the nap; after cleaning we brush the nap back into place, and we don’t rub with water.

Yellowing on white shoes: first tell oxidation from residue

Yellowing usually has two causes: oxidation of the rubber sole, or detergent that wasn’t rinsed out. Oxidation needs a reducing treatment; residue needs a thorough rinse. The two methods are different, and if you judge wrongly, more washing only makes them yellower. If the fabric itself has aged, or dye has transferred, cleaning may not restore them; we’ll explain how far we can take it when we take them in.

Odours need sanitising, and they need to be dried through

The smell in shoes usually comes from bacteria. Brushing the surface only covers it for a while; they need to be sanitised. If they aren’t fully dry after cleaning, the smell comes back in a few days, and mold may even grow. In the rainy season we allow an extra day or two, and we’ll tell you when we take them in.

What you can do before sending them in

• Take a few photos first: the upper, the sole, and any wear or dye staining that was already there.
• Tell us the condition of the insoles and laces; if they need changing or washing, we can do that at the same time.
• If you’re not sure they can be saved, you can send photos on LINE first and ask.

Q1. Can yellowed white shoes still be saved?

Most can be improved. We first tell whether it is sole oxidation or leftover detergent, then treat it accordingly. If the fabric has aged or dye has transferred, the result is limited, and we’ll say so when we take them in.

Q2. Can suede shoes be cleaned?

Yes, but not the way we clean ordinary sneakers. Suede fears water and rubbing; it needs a dry clean with a specialist brush, and the nap is brushed back into place afterwards.

Q3. Can the smell in shoes be washed out?

In most cases, yes. The source of the smell is bacteria, so they need to be sanitised and dried through inside. If they’re returned before they’re fully dry, the smell easily comes back.

Q4. How many days does shoe cleaning take?

Usually about 5–7 business days; in the rainy season an extra day or two. For prices by style, see theShoe-cleaning pricespage; the actual charge is confirmed after we’ve seen the shoes.

Further reading

• Yellowed shoes? Can they be recolored? How?
• The shoe-cleaning process
• Shoe-cleaning service times