Vans produces a variety of shoes, mainly white-soled skates made of canvas. These shoes look their best when they are clean and freshly washed. If you want to make your Vans look like new again, you can learn some quick tips for cleaning them, using bleach, and doing a deep cleaning every few moments to get the longest life out of your shoes. The following methods can also be used for other canvas sneakers.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Whitening Rubber Sole Lines
Step 1. Choose an appropriate cleaning product
It's not uncommon for people to want the white rubber soles on their Vans to look bright and new again. It may take some more work and supplies to get your old Vans shoes back to having a brand new look like they were right out of the box. This technique can also be applied to other canvas shoes, such as Toms or Keds. To clean the white parts of Vans, you can use a variety of household materials, such as:
- Bleach
- Liquid nail polish remover (acetone)
- Rubbing alcohol
- window cleaner
- Magic Eraser / Magic Sponge (melamine foam)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda and water
- Lemon juice
Step 2. Place the shoes on a covered work surface
Place your shoes and cleaning products on a clean towel and use an old toothbrush or shoe brush to scrub off the cleaning agent. If you use bleach or other cleaners that can leave stains in the room, make sure you've properly lined the room.
Acetone and bleach should be used outdoors, or at least in a well-ventilated room
Step 3. Cover the canvas part of the colored Vans shoe
Using one of the powerful cleaners mentioned above on colored Vans canvas parts will leave stains. Therefore, use paper tape to cover the canvas, at least where the canvas fabric meets the edge of the sole.
On the other hand, some people find Vans with bleach spots to look cool. The choice is in your hand
Step 4. Dip the tip of the brush in the cleaning liquid
Dab a small amount of the cleaner on your old brush or toothbrush and vigorously scrub the rubber soles of each shoe, moving the brush in a circular motion and adding cleaner to the brush when necessary. Start scrubbing from the side of the shoe, then work your way up to the bottom of the sole if you wish.
Step 5. Wipe with clean water
After you clean both shoes, wipe them with a paper towel or kitchen paper slightly dampened with clean water. Your rubber shoes should look brilliant white now.
Method 2 of 3: Quickly Clean Vans
Step 1. Clean the dirt crust on the outside of the shoe
If your Vans are really dirty and you want to start cleaning them again, take them outside. Choose a spot that doesn't have a problem if it gets dirty and then shake your shoes over the area.
- If your shoes are muddy, allow them to dry thoroughly before brushing the mud off the shoes. This will make it easier for you.
- Use a soft shoe brush or toothbrush to brush off the dirt on the shoes. Pound the soles of the shoes against each other to remove small particles of dust and dirt.
Step 2. Use dish soap and warm water
Fill the bucket halfway with warm water and a tablespoon or two (15 to 30 mL) of mild dish soap. Stir in a bucket until the foam begins to rise.
Step 3. Take a medium or large soft brush and dip it in the foaming water
While holding the shoe with your other hand, rub the brush back and forth over the surface of the shoe.
If your shoes are quite dirty, you can dip the sides of the shoes in the water and scrub hard to clean the bottom of the shoes
Step 4. Rinse with clean warm water
After you have thoroughly scrubbed the shoes, rinse them briefly with fresh warm water, in or from another bucket.
Step 5. Dry the shoes thoroughly
Place the wet shoes on a clean white towel, then wrap each shoe with the towel. Use a towel to press down on the shoe until excess water seeps out of the canvas. Repeat this step on the other shoe.
- Place your shoes open outside to dry naturally. If your shoes are white, placing them in direct sunlight can bleach them slightly.
- Fill the shoes with a plain white hand towel or paper towel to absorb water. This helps avoid shrinkage and dark lines that can occur when your Vans buckle when you walk.
Method 3 of 3: Deep Cleaning Vans
Step 1. Use this deep cleaning method only for canvas or synthetic Vans shoes
Vans manufactures shoes with a wide variety of materials, including leather, which breaks down when wet with water. Check the shoe label first to determine the shoe material, be it canvas, another synthetic material, or neither.
If your Vans shoes are leather or suede, you must follow the same instructions as any other leather shoe. It is not recommended to soak it in water or use detergent soap to clean it
Step 2. Specially clean the stains on the shoes first using a gentle stain remover
If you step on heavy mud or splash oil or grease on your shoes, use an enzyme-based stain remover or a commercial product of your choice to remove the stain before washing your shoes. Apply the cleaner to the targeted stain and let the shoes sit for a while while you prepare the washing machine.
Step 3. Use a slow washing machine cycle setting in cold water
We recommend that you use the slowest and coldest setting on the washing machine, both for the safety of your shoes and your washing machine. It's usually not a good thing to have shoes splattered in the washing machine, but it shouldn't be a problem if done properly.
Step 4. Place the Vans shoes into the pillowcases
Many people fear the glue and seams of their Vans shoes will come off when placed in the washing machine. However, if you tuck your Vans into your pillowcase first, and put your shoes in the machine along with other laundry like bath towels or mats, you can provide enough cushioning to keep your shoes from bouncing in too many directions. Your Vans should be fine.
- In general, it's not recommended to wash your shoes in the washing machine less than every six months if you don't want to run the risk of damaging your shoes.
- If you're concerned about the extra upholstery or insoles you've put into your Vans shoes, it's a good idea to remove them from your shoes first and then put them back on after washing your shoes or replacing them with new ones.
Step 5. Use half the amount of detergent you normally use
Make sure that you use a mild detergent that can be used for machine or hand washing, then put the pillowcase containing the shoes in the machine along with the rest of the laundry.
To reduce the time it takes to soak your shoes, wait until the washer is half filled if using a top-loading washing machine. Your shoes will be just as clean without having to soak for a long time
Step 6. Dry your Vans shoes naturally in a machine wash
Do not put shoes in the dryer. This can dry out both the canvas and the sole, cause cracks in the seams, and is a great way to damage your dryer.
