How to Whiten Yellowed Leather Shoes

How to Whiten Yellowed Leather Shoes
Written By
Melissa King
Melissa King
Published: Aug 5, 2013
Updated: Apr 7, 2020
1 minute read
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Over time, your snow-white leather shoes may start to turn a dingy yellow color. White leather turns yellow when exposed to the elements, such as wind, heat and rain. If you wear your shoes outside, you can't prevent them from turning yellow. Once leather shoes have aged this way, it's difficult to get them completely white again. You can, however, fade the color slightly and brighten your shoes with a bit of lemon.

Step 1

Remove any mud and debris from your leather shoes by wiping them with a damp cloth. Cold water and a few drops of mild soap will remove dirt. Use a bristle brush to scrape off stubborn debris.

Step 2

Fill a spray bottle with half water and half lemon juice. Put the lid on the bottle and shake well.

Step 3

Mist the yellowed parts of the shoes with the lemon-water mixture.

Step 4

Set the shoes outside to lighten in the sun for a full day.

Photo Credits

Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Melissa King

Melissa King began writing in 2001. She spent three years writing for her local newspaper, "The Colt," writing editorials, news stories, product reviews and entertainment pieces. She is also the owner and operator of Howbert Freelance…

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