White Converse shoes look great when they're new, but over time the white canvas material can turn a dull brown due to dirt buildup on the top and sides. Cleaning white Converse shoes is fairly easy, and it can help maintain the look of your shoes for some time.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Thorough Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Step 1. Remove the shoelaces
Unwrap the shoelaces to open the canvas as wide as possible so it's easier for you to clean thoroughly.
You can clean shoelaces separately by soaking them in a bucket or tub of warm, soapy water, but be aware that the color of the laces may never return to their original color. Another option is to replace your old shoelaces with new ones
Step 2. Rinse the shoes under running water
Wet your Converse shoes with cold water. You can rinse them under the tap or submerge them in a bucket or large tub filled with water.
- Use cold water instead of warm water to prevent stains from sinking in and other colors on the shoes don't fade and damage the white canvas.
- You can clean your shoes in the sink, or you can spread a sheet of wax paper or plastic over the counter or floor and clean your shoes on it. The process of cleaning shoes can be messy and the cleaning liquid used can damage the countertop or the floor, so don't let any drops of liquid fall on a surface that can be easily damaged.
Step 3. Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar
Mix baking soda and white vinegar in a glass or plastic bowl filled with water until it forms a runny, foamy paste.
- Do not use metal bowls or spoons as metal can react negatively to vinegar.
- You can also use cleaning powder instead of baking soda or liquid laundry soap instead of vinegar, according to the ingredients available. The resulting liquid may not bubble when it's made, but it's still quite effective.
- Pasta should be made from about 2 parts baking soda and 3 parts vinegar. Do not use red wine vinegar as it can stain. As a general rule, only mix the two ingredients together enough to make it a paste-like consistency.
Step 4. Rub the paste all over the surface of the shoe
Dip a clean toothbrush or nail brush into the cleanser you made. Run the brush over the entire surface of the shoe, cleaning all sides, and focusing on the most soiled areas.
Rinse the shoes again with cold water when you're done. This step doesn't have to be done, but you can see how your shoes look and prevent the baking soda or vinegar from getting into the washing machine
Step 5. Put the shoes in the washing machine
Put your white Converse shoes in the washing machine along with a small amount of regular laundry soap. Run one full wash cycle using cold water.
- Do not use laundry soap or chlorinated cleaning liquid.
- To prevent your shoes from banging too hard in the washing machine, first put them in a mesh bag or cloth washing bag.
Step 6. Let the shoes dry on their own
Converse shoes should be allowed to dry on their own. To speed up the drying process and aid in the bleaching process, place your shoes in a dry, warm, sunny place to dry.
- The dry heat of the sun can help speed up the drying of shoes, and the sun's rays also have a slight whitening effect.
- Do not use a tumble dryer. Machine drying Converse shoes will cause them to change shape.
Method 2 of 4: Other Options to Remove Blemishes
Step 1. Use mild soap and water
Usually, rubbing a sponge moistened with soapy water over the scuff will do the trick.
- Use a mild soap such as hand soap or liquid dish soap without added fragrances or chemicals. Mix a few drops of soap in a cup of warm water and stir until bubbles form on the surface.
- Rub the sponge vigorously in a circular motion over the scuff marks on the shoe.
Step 2. Try using WD-40
Spray a small amount of WD-40 directly onto the scuff and rub with a sponge or rag until it fades.
Among other options, WD-40 is often used to collect moisture and remove dirt and debris from a wide variety of surfaces. Only use this liquid on the rubber part of the shoe, not the canvas. As an oil-based product, WD-40 can leave stains on materials such as canvas
Step 3. Apply nail polish remover
Wet a cotton ball or sheet with a small amount of acetone nail polish remover and rub it over the scuffs until they are clean.
- Rub the nail polish remover on the stain vigorously to remove it. The scuff marks should fade almost immediately.
- Acetone-based nail polish remover is the most effective for removing stains.
Step 4. Apply a small amount of bleach
Dilute a small amount of bleach with water. Dip a clean toothbrush in this whitening solution and use it to remove scuff marks.
Bleach can bleach materials but is also a harsh chemical. So, you should only use it as necessary so that your shoes don't get damaged. You should only use it on the rubber part of the shoe, and not on the canvas
Step 5. Apply whitening toothpaste on the scuff marks
Apply toothpaste directly to the scuff marks and scrub with a toothbrush.
- Toothpaste containing baking soda is more suitable than other products. Baking soda has the added benefit of being a cleanser, and is a mild abrasive so it can exfoliate scuff marks.
- If you can't find a toothpaste that contains baking soda, toothpaste with other whitening ingredients can also be used.
Step 6. Use lemons
Cut a lemon in half and rub the cut side directly onto the scuff marks on the shoe. Rub vigorously to remove it.
- Lemon juice is often used as a substitute for bleach.
- Leave the lemon juice on the scuff marks for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold, clean water.
- If you don't have a whole lemon, you can also rub a little lemon juice on the stain using a toothbrush or rag.
Step 7. Apply petroleum jelly
Apply petroleum jelly to the blisters. Leave it for 5 minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth.
- Petroleum jelly can stick with dirty particles or dust and then lift it.
- Apply petroleum jelly only to the rubberized part of the shoe and avoid the canvas. The oil content in petroleum jelly can sometimes leave a light stain on the fabric.
Step 8. Rub rubbing alcohol on the scuff marks
Rub the rubbing alcohol on the scuff with a ball or cotton sheet. Wipe vigorously and wipe off any excess alcohol with a damp cloth when you're done.
Alcohol liquid is a very strong household cleaning agent and is capable of removing a variety of stubborn dust and debris
Method 3 of 4: Magic Eraser
Step 1. Remove the shoelaces
Unwrap the shoelaces to open the canvas as wide as possible so it's easier for you to clean thoroughly.
You can clean shoelaces separately by soaking them in a bucket or tub of warm, soapy water, but be aware that the color of the laces may never return to their original color. Another option is to replace your old shoelaces with new ones
Step 2. Moisturize the shoes
Dampen your Converse shoes with cold water. You can rinse them with tap water or soak them in a bucket or large tub filled with water.
You can moisten the magic eraser instead of your shoes. However, moisturizing the shoe will ensure that the surface is sufficiently wet during cleaning
Step 3. Apply the magic eraser
Use a "magic eraser" cleaning product to remove as much dirt as possible from the canvas from the toe to the heel.
- Once one side of the sponge starts to get dirty, turn to the other side.
- The magic eraser doesn't contain harsh chemicals, so it's perfect if you have pets or toddlers, or if you prefer to avoid using chemicals at home.
- This product contains melamine polymer. Feels supple and soft to the touch but is actually an effective abrasive. When using this product, you are basically physically peeling off the dirt.
Step 4. Let the shoes dry on their own
Place the shoes in a dry, warm, sunny place to dry. Drying the shoes like this will speed up their drying and help strengthen the whitening effect.
- The dry heat of the sun can help speed up the drying of shoes, and the sun's rays also have a slight whitening effect.
- Do not use a tumble dryer. Machine drying white Converse shoes will cause them to deform.
Method 4 of 4: Cleaning Dirty Parts
Step 1. Remove the shoelaces
Unwrap the shoelaces to open the canvas as wide as possible so it's easier for you to clean thoroughly.
You can clean shoelaces separately by soaking them in a bucket or tub of warm, soapy water, but be aware that the color of the laces may never return to their original color. Another option is to replace your old shoelaces with new ones
Step 2. Apply the stain remover rod to the dirtiest areas
Use the stain remover rod all over the area you want to clean. Follow the instructions on the package when attaching the cleaning rod to the surface of the stain.
- Remember that you don't need to moisten your shoes first unless it's recommended in the instructions for use on the package. If stated in the user manual, follow the instructions listed to determine how much water is needed.
- While the specific guidelines may vary, you should usually rub the moistened end of the rod over the stain surface of the shoe vigorously in a circular motion. Rub the cleaning rod so that it barely touches the edge of the stain to prevent the stain from spreading on the clean surface of the shoe.
Step 3. Put the shoes in the washing machine
Put your white Converse shoes in the washing machine with a little bit of regular laundry soap. Run one full wash cycle with cold water.
- Do not use laundry soap or chlorinated cleaning liquid.
- To prevent your shoes from banging too hard in the washing machine, first put them in a mesh bag or cloth washing bag.
Step 4. Let the shoes dry on their own
Converse shoes should be allowed to dry on their own. To speed up the drying process and aid in the bleaching process, place your shoes in a dry, warm, sunny place to dry.
- The dry heat of the sun can help speed up the drying of shoes, and the sun's rays also have a whitening effect.
- Do not use a tumble dryer. Machine drying Converse shoes will cause them to change shape.
