Why do shoes turn yellow?
Yellowing of shoes is a problem that many people encounter, especially white or light-colored shoes. So, what is the reason why shoes turn yellow? This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the reasons why shoes turn yellow, and provide some practical solutions.
1. The main reasons why shoes turn yellow

There are many reasons why shoes turn yellow, mainly including the following aspects:
| Reason | Specific instructions |
|---|---|
| oxidation reaction | When shoes are exposed to the air for a long time, certain components (such as rubber and plastic) in the sole or upper material will react with oxygen to cause oxidation, resulting in yellowing. |
| UV irradiation | Ultraviolet rays in the sun will accelerate the aging of shoe materials, especially white shoes, which are more likely to turn yellow due to ultraviolet rays. |
| Detergent residue | Cleaning your shoes with a detergent that contains bleach or is too alkaline may cause chemical residues that can turn your shoes yellow. |
| Sweat and stains | Foot sweat or external stains penetrate into the shoe material, and long-term accumulation can also cause the shoes to turn yellow. |
| Storage environment is humid | Shoes stored in a humid environment are prone to mold growth, causing the uppers or soles to turn yellow. |
2. How to prevent shoes from turning yellow
After understanding the reasons why shoes turn yellow, we can take the following measures to prevent them:
| method | Specific operations |
|---|---|
| Avoid direct sunlight | Cleaned shoes should be placed in a cool and ventilated place to dry to avoid exposure to the sun. |
| Use neutral detergent | Choose a mild detergent to clean your shoes and avoid products containing bleaching ingredients. |
| Regular cleaning | Clean stains on shoes promptly to avoid long-term accumulation of sweat and dust. |
| Store correctly | Shoes should be stored in a dry, ventilated environment and protected by moisture-proof agents or shoe boxes. |
| Use anti-oxidation spray | Some sports shoe brands offer anti-oxidation sprays that can delay the aging of shoe materials. |
3. Remedies for shoes that turn yellow
If your shoes have turned yellow, you can try the following methods to repair them:
| method | Specific operations |
|---|---|
| Baking soda + white vinegar | Mix baking soda and white vinegar into a paste, apply it to the yellowed area, let it sit and then clean it with a soft brush. |
| toothpaste cleaning | Apply white toothpaste to the yellowed area, scrub gently with a toothbrush, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth. |
| hydrogen peroxide bleaching | Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the yellowed area, let it sit for a few hours and then clean it (only applicable to some materials). |
| Professional shoe cleaning service | If home methods don't work, you can send it to a professional shoe cleaning shop for repair. |
4. Hot discussion on the entire Internet: Solutions to yellowing of shoes
In the past 10 days, discussions about shoes turning yellow have been very active on social media. The following are the popular methods shared by netizens:
| platform | Popular discussion content |
|---|---|
| little red book | "Soak the soles with lemon juice + salt, the yellowing effect is super good!" |
| "After your sneakers turn yellow, wiping them with makeup remover is actually effective!" | |
| Douyin | "A magic tool for drying shoes: wrap the soles with tin foil to prevent oxidation and yellowing." |
| Zhihu | "What is the chemical principle that causes shoes to turn yellow? Expert answers." |
5. Summary
Yellowing of shoes is the result of a combination of factors, including oxidation, UV rays, improper cleaning, etc. With proper cleaning and storage methods, you can effectively prevent your shoes from turning yellow. If your shoes have turned yellow, you can try home remedies or seek professional help. I hope this article can help you solve the problem of yellowing shoes and give your favorite shoes a new lease of life!
check the details
check the details