How To Un-Yellow Jordans

The soles of your Nike Jordan athletic shoes can yellow over time due to oxidation and daily wear. To avoid damaging your kicks permanently, Nike.com recommends that you don't toss them into the washer and dryer — or use harsh chemicals such as bleach to lift the yellowing from your shoes. For best results, hand wash your Jordans weekly using common household products and a mild abrasive to un-yellow your footwear and prevent dirt, stains and future discoloration from building up on your pricey athletic shoes.

Step 1

Mix one cup of warm water with one squirt of mild dish detergent in a bowl to make an effective and safe cleaning solution for the white portions of your Jordans.

Step 2

Dip an old toothbrush in the soap solution. Pat the brush on a clean cloth to remove excess moisture. Scrub the yellowed areas of your Jordans. Apply more detergent to the toothbrush as needed, and continue to scrub.

Step 3

Dampen a clean cloth with water. Squeeze out excess moisture so the cloth is barely damp. Wipe the scrubbed areas to remove the detergent solution. Dry the surface with a clean, dry cloth.

Step 4

Tackle any remaining yellowed areas with a non-gel whitening toothpaste. Squirt a pea-sized amount of the toothpaste into the bottom of a dry bowl. Dip the dried toothbrush into the toothpaste to get a light coating on the brush's bristles.

Step 5

Scrub any remaining yellowed areas with the whitening toothpaste to bleach out the yellow discoloration. Rinse the white surfaces by wiping them off with a damp cloth, then dry with a clean one.