A pair of Converse-style shoes is great all year round - and suitable for almost any season. When you have white Converse, though, you will need to take particular care to ensure that they remain white and looking great. Here, we’ll share the best way to clean Converse-style shoes at home, whether you choose to wash them by hand or use the washing machine.
A gentle detergent is the perfect product to help give you clean white Converse both in the washing machine and when washing by hand.
Key Steps:
- 1
Always remove the laces before cleaning any shoes.
- 2
Use mild detergents like Persil Non-Bio when washing Converse-style shoes.
- 3
Never use hot water as this could loosen the glue used to hold your shoes together.
- 4
Always air dry. Use the sun’s UV rays as a natural brightener by drying them outside. After all, studies have shown that sunlight can bleach fabrics.[2]
How to hand-wash white Converse-style shoes
If you decide to try washing Converse by hand there are some easy steps for you to follow.
Quick Tip: Read our article about how to make white clothes white again to learn more cleaning hacks.
- 1
Remove the laces to expose as much of the canvas shoe material as possible.
- 2
Soak your Converse in cold water.
- 3
Create a paste using two parts baking soda and three parts white vinegar (other vinegar types are likely to stain.) If you would prefer not to use vinegar you can also use a gentle laundry detergent instead. However, vinegar and baking soda are the ideal combo when you’re learning how to clean white Converse that turned yellow. After all, studies have shown that sodium bicarbonate can be a potent whitener.[1]
- 4
Use a toothbrush or nail brush to gently scrub the canvas. Make sure you cover the entire surface of the shoe.
- 5
Rinse your Converse in cold water.
- 6
Leave your Converse to air dry. The best way to brighten their whiteness and speed up the drying process is to hang them in a warm, sunny area.
- 7
If there are persistent stains, follow the steps below to give them an extra clean in the washing machine.
Our instructions are generalised and should be safe for most footwear brands. However, remember to check the manufacturer’s instructions first to avoid unwanted damage. Some brands may use more delicate materials than others. We recommend reading our article about what washing symbols on wash care labels mean.
Quick note: To learn more washing hacks, check out our guide on how to clean canvas shoes.
Safety Warning
Always check your shoe manufacturer's guidance before washing Converse or any other shoes. You don't want to cause accidental damage!
How to clean white Converse-style shoes in the washing machine
- 1
Remove the laces first.
- 2
Place your Converse into a mesh wash bag or pillowcase to protect them inside the washing machine drum.
- 3
Always use a low temperature and gentle cycle.
- 4
Use a gentle detergent and avoid using fabric conditioners.
- 5
Pad out the drum with a couple of towels to help cushion your shoes during the spin cycle.
- 6
Leave your Converse to air dry.
Whilst the best way to clean white Converse-style shoes is often to do it by hand, you can also try cleaning Converse pumps in the washing machine. This is great if you have persistent stains which won’t come out when handwashing.
However, you must make sure your chosen brand of Converse-style shoes is washing machine safe first. Moreover, we suggest reading our article on how to use a washing machine to ensure that you’re not damaging the appliance.
How to clean Converse shoes with toothpaste
You’ve probably heard people cleaning Converse shoes with toothpaste. Indeed, you can do this, but don’t use the gel variety. Ideally, you should use white toothpaste when washing Converse shoes. Here are the steps:
- 1
Apply the toothpaste on an inconspicuous spot on your Converse. Let the toothpaste sit on the area for about 20 minutes. Wipe it off with a damp cloth and check if the toothpaste left a stain.
- 2
If you don’t see any stain, use a wet toothbrush to spread the toothpaste onto your Converse shoes.
- 3
When you’re cleaning white shoes, use lighter pressure to scrub the outer parts. However, if you have pair of darker coloured Converse, use more intense pressure.
- 4
Let the toothpaste sit on your shoes to loosen any remaining dirt.
- 5
Use a wet towel to wipe off the toothpaste.
- 6
Take a dry cloth and wipe down your shoes, ensuring that you draw excess water off. You can also airdry your Converse or leave it under the sun.
How to clean black Converse without them fading
Black Converse shoes are considered vintage classics. However, the canvas material can fade easily when you don’t know how to properly wash it. If you want to learn how to clean black Converse without them fading, follow the steps below:
- 1
Before handwashing your black Converse, remove the shoelaces. If you need to clean them, you can drop them in the washing machine and use Surf detergent and cold water.
- 2
In a small container, mix about two tablespoons of Surf detergent with cold water.
- 3
Dip a toothbrush in the cleaning solution and use it to scrub your black Converse. Apply a more intense pressure on stained areas.
- 4
Rinse your shoes using cold water.
- 5
Let your shoes airdry.
Quick Tip: If you have an airconditioned room, leave your shoes there to dry for about 24 hours. The lower humidity inside the room will make the drying process faster.
Frequently asked questions about the best ways to clean your Converse
Q. What's the best way to dry Converse-style shoes?
When it comes to drying Converse-style shoes, there are a few methods that can effectively restore them to their original state. Firstly, it's important to remove any excess moisture by blotting the shoes with a clean towel or paper towels. Next, stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper or dry cloth to absorb moisture from the inside. Placing them in a well-ventilated area, away from direct heat sources, allows for gradual drying.
Alternatively, using a fan or low heat setting on a hairdryer can expedite the process, but caution must be exercised to avoid overheating. Ultimately, patience is key to ensure thorough drying without compromising the shoe's integrity.
Q: How do you clean Converse without turning them yellow?
The best cleaning solution that will prevent your Converse from turning yellow is a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. All you need to do is mix equal parts warm water, vinegar, and baking soda. Once you get a paste-like consistency, you can use that to scrub your Converse shoes clean.
Q: How do you clean Converse Chuck 70 black?
You can follow the same tips we shared on our “how to clean black Converse without them fading” guide. We recommend using mild detergent to avoid causing the black canvas to fade.
Q. Can I use alcohol to clean my Converse?
Rubbing alcohol is a great option for spot-treating scuffs or stains on Converse. However, we don’t recommend using it to clean your Converse. Doing so will harden and damage the rubber.
Q. Can I clean Converse with wet wipes?
Yes, you can deal with rubber scuffs or stains using wet wipes. This option is ideal if you’re looking for a quick way to clean your Converse.
Q. Can I use toothpaste to clean my Converse?
Yes, you can use toothpaste to clean your Converse. However, for white shoes, you should only use white toothpaste.
We hope these top tips for washing white Converse-style shoes will help you take extra good care of your favourite pair of comfy pumps. Now you know the best way to clean Converse you can be sure to keep them sparkling like new use after use. For further information on how to clean white trainers, read our article!
1. Ghassemi A, Hooper W, Vorwerk L, Domke T, DeSciscio P, Nathoo S. Effectiveness of a new dentifrice with baking soda and peroxide in removing extrinsic stain and whitening teeth. J Clin Dent. 2012;23(3):86-91. PMID: 23210419.
2. Launer, H. F. (1965). Effect of light upon wool. Textile Research Journal, 35(5), 395–400. https://doi.org/10.1177/004051756503500502
