Vans are very popular shoes for all ages. These shoes are available in a variety of colors and patterns, including black. Since many Vans shoes are all black, including the laces and rubber soles, many Vans users want to know how to clean them. Luckily, these shoes can be cleaned at home using dish soap, water, and a stiff-bristled brush. After washing, black shoe polish will restore its color. As a result, your Vans shoes will look like new again.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Removing Stains and Dirt on Shoes
Step 1. Remove shoelaces and set aside
Shoelaces should be hand washed separately. Remove the laces and set them aside so you can focus on cleaning your shoes first. Do not attach shoelaces until they are cleaned and shoes have been washed and polished.
Step 2. Tap the shoe to remove some of the dirt
Take your shoes out of the house and tap them a few times to release any adhering mud. To get rid of stubborn mud, use a stiff-bristled brush. You don't need to brush the shoe cloth thoroughly, just remove any lumps of dust and dirt on the shoe before wetting it.
Step 3. Mix dish soap and water
Pour a small amount (just pressing the dish soap bottle once should suffice) a mild dish soap like Dawn into a shallow, medium-sized bowl or pan. After that, fill the bowl with lukewarm water. The soap should be foamy. If not, however, use your fingers to shake the soap solution until it's foamy.
Step 4. Scrub the surface of the shoe vigorously with a stiff bristle brush
Dip the brush in the soap solution then use it to scrub the shoes. Start at one end of the shoe and gradually work your way to the other. Be sure to brush the entire shoe area.
There is no need to over-wet your shoes. Just wet the shoes so they lather during brushing
Step 5. Brush the black rubber strip around the shoe
The soles on many Vans shoes are made of rubber so they are easy to clean. If the rubber strips of your shoes are white, take more time to brush them until they are white and clean again.
Step 6. Wipe off the soap solution with a damp cloth
Wet a clean cloth with water then wring it out. Use this rag to remove soap from shoes. Wet and wring out the cloth again then use it to clean the shoes until all the soap residue is removed.
- Do not use a cloth that is too wet. Do not get the shoes soaked with water.
- Let the shoes dry for a few minutes before polishing. However, you can polish your shoes while they're still slightly damp.
Part 2 of 3: Bringing the Colors Back
Step 1. Cover the red Vans label on the heel with tape
Both sides of the shoe have the Vans logo label on the heel. This label is located on the rubber strip, not the fabric of the shoe. Cut two pieces of masking tape and then stick it on the red Vans label until it's tightly closed.
Most of the people prefer to keep the original look of the Vans label. So, it's a good idea to protect these labels from shoe polish
Step 2. Dab a small amount of liquid black shoe polish onto the surface of the shoe
Once the polish cap is removed, you will see a sponge applicator at the end. Flip the bottle over the shoe and press the polish directly against the fabric.
- You can buy this shoe polish at any shoe store, as well as department stores and home improvement stores.
- Start polishing one shoe until it's finished before polishing the other.
Step 3. Use the sponge applicator to apply the polish
Quickly move your hands back and forth to apply a small amount of polish in one area until it absorbs. There is no need to press the shoe polish applicator firmly against the surface of the shoe. Hold the polish bottle gently so you can spread it quickly on the shoe.
You will notice that the polish is able to quickly restore the black color of the shoe fabric
Step 4. Apply polish quickly and apply only a small amount
Continue to pour in a little shoe polish, and use the same back and forth motion to spread it all over the shoe. Don't add polish until the previous coat has soaked in. Apply the polish quickly so that the results are even and don't soak too deep in any one spot and saturate the fabric of the shoe.
- The surface of the shoe should not appear too wet with the polish. Do not let any of the polish collect on the surface of the shoe.
- Also pay attention to scuff marks and areas of the shoe where the color has faded.
Step 5. Apply polish to the black rubber strips on both sides of the shoe
After polishing the entire fabric of the shoe, use the same method to improve the appearance of the black rubber sole. Apply a small amount of polish and then quickly smooth it around the shoe. The rubber on the shoes will look new again quickly.
- Don't forget to polish the black plastic ring that surrounds the eyelet of the shoelace. It's best to avoid brand labels near shoelaces, unless you're okay with the Vans logo being covered in polish.
- Some black Vans shoes have white rubber strips. If the soles on your shoes are not black, skip this step.
Step 6. Take a good look at the shoes and add polish where needed
Black polish should produce an even color. Examine the shoes for areas of uneven color as well as scratches and smudges. Be sure to check for any gaps in the shoe that you might have missed.
Step 7. Wet a clean cloth and rub it over the surface of the shoe
Wet a clean cotton cloth with tap water. Gently sweep the rag over the surface of the shoe to rub the polish on the fabric and rubber. If you find an area that is too dark from excess polish, pat and rub the rag to even out. Your shoes should look shiny like new, but a little wet.
Step 8. Continue cleaning the other shoes by repeating the steps above
Clean the shoes one by one. Once you are satisfied with the first result, set it aside, and continue cleaning the rest of the shoes. Repeat the same cleaning process, which is to quickly apply the polish to the entire surface of the shoe, including the black rubber strip.
Step 9. Let the shoe polish dry for 15 minutes
Set the shoe to dry while you clean the laces. It usually takes about 15 minutes for the shoe polish to dry. However, if you use a lot of polish, it may take longer. Make sure the surface of the shoe is dry to the touch before putting it back on.
Remove the tape from the heel after the shoe is dry to the touch
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning the Rope
Step 1. Mix the new cleaning solution in a bowl
Discard the soap solution you used before and use a new mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water. Fill a bowl with enough water to cover the shoelaces. Make sure the soap and water are well mixed. This soap solution should appear frothy.
Step 2. Put both shoelaces in the bowl
Soak the shoelaces completely in the solution. Let the laces soak for a few minutes to loosen any dirt or stains. Use the tip of an old toothbrush or fingers to rub the laces in the soap solution to enhance the cleaning process.
Step 3. Brush the shoelaces with an old toothbrush
Lift one of the shoelaces from the bowl and squeeze out the excess water. Start brushing the laces vigorously from one end, especially on the stained area. Flip the shoelaces and clean the other side. After that, continue cleaning the other shoelaces by repeating the same process.
Step 4. Spread the laces flat to dry
Place the shoelaces on a clean, dry cloth or a few kitchen paper towels and let them sit for a few hours to dry completely. When they no longer feel damp to the touch, put your shoelaces back on, and wear your shoes as normal. The shoe polish should have dried a long time ago by now. However, it never hurts to touch the surface of the shoe with your finger to be sure.
