Do you have white Converse® shoes and can’t figure out the right way to clean them without ruining them? White shoes are supposed to stay white, aren’t they? Cleaning white Converse® shoes can be done in various ways depending on the kind of stains present.
White Converse® can be spot cleaned or deep cleaned in a washing machine with a variety of different solutions that range from homemade to commercial.
Keeping white shoes pristine is a difficult task. Even the slightest encounter with dust or grime leaves your shoes looking dirty and old.
The Best Ways to Clean White Converse® Shoes
How to clean white tennis shoes involves some simple yet effective methods that vary depending on what has gotten onto your shiny white sneakers.
How to Clean White Converse® in a Washing Machine
Start by removing the laces in your shoes. The goal of washing shoes is to get them all clean and shiny. Removing the laces will make it easier and they can be washed separately.
Remove excess dirt on the shoes to prevent sand particles from damaging the washing machine. Where there are tough stains like grease or paint, apply a stain remover to the stained part and allow it to stay for a few minutes.
Place sneakers in a pillowcase or washable bag before placing them in the washing machine. Using cool or warm water, wash the Converse® on a gentle wash cycle.
After washing is complete, take the Converse® from the bag and air dry outside. Avoid using a dryer whenever possible as the heat may harm them and cause them to shrink. If you have to dry sneakers quickly, use a cooler setting on the dryer and only keep them in there for about 15 minutes.
If your shoes do tighten after washing and drying in the washing machine and clothes dryer, there are ways to stretch fabric shoes so that they are wearable and comfortable again.
Make your sneakers bigger by adding airtight bags of water to each shoe and putting them in the freezer. As the water expands, it stretches the shoes.
Wash the laces with mild detergent. Soak them in a bleach and water solution if the stains on them are tough to eliminate.
How to Clean White Shoes with Spots on Them
Do you want to get rid of stains on your Converse® without submerging the entire shoe in water? Keep white sneakers clean by making a cleaning solution in a bowl. Mix cool water and mild detergent. Fill another bowl with water to serve as the rinsing solution after cleaning.
Remove the shoelaces and wash them separately. Dip a section of the washcloth in the cleaning solution and use it to scrub the stain. Start with the exterior of the shoe and work in sections.
Make sure to scrub the soles of the Converse®, as well. If the washcloth is not working as the way to get dirt out of white shoes, try using an old toothbrush to scrub it.
Dip another part of the washcloth in plain water and use it to wipe the shoe clean. Ensure that there are no traces of soap left behind. Stuff the clean shoes with some newspaper to help them retain their shape and air dry. To make the shoes whiter, sit them out in the sun.
For the way to clean white mesh sneakers, apply toothpaste to the stain. Using an old toothbrush, work the paste into the shoe and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a damp cloth to clean up the toothpaste residue.
Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed from the shoe. This is a very effective way to clean white Converse® shoes and a great way to get grass stains out of sneakers.
Remove shoelaces and set aside. Make a paste from the hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. Using the toothbrush, apply the paste to stained areas on the Converse® and around the soles of the shoes.
For the way to get grass stains out of white sneakers, scrub gently in a circular motion and allow the shoe to sit for about 5 minutes. Rinse off the paste using lukewarm water. To give the smelly shoes that “new shoe” feel, spray some starch before letting them air dry. This is also an effective way to get the smell out of sneakers.
Removing Ink Stains from Your Converse® Shoes
Dip cotton wool into a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Gently wipe the ink stain. Repeat the process until the ink stain is completely gone. Toothpaste may also work. Try these remedies to clean blood splattered sneakers or dab a bit of hydrogen peroxide on the stain.
Get Rid of Gum
We’ve all stepped in someone’s discarded gum at some point. The easiest way to get gum off your shoe is by freezing it. Either wrap your shoe in a plastic bag and set it in the freezer for an hour or two or apply ice to the gum. It should then scrape off easily.
Paint thinners, toothpaste, and hydrogen peroxide are also useful in removing specific stains from your Converse® shoes.