White Converse are beautiful when brand new, but wearing them the white canvas can quickly take on an unsightly brownish tinge due to the dirt that builds up on top and sides. Cleaning them is quite simple, and allows you to keep your shoes in excellent condition for a long time.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Complete Washing with Sodium Bicarbonate and Vinegar
Step 1. Remove the laces
Unfasten your shoes to expose as much white canvas as possible so it will be easier to thoroughly clean the sneakers.
You can clean your shoelaces separately by soaking them in a bucket or basin with hot soapy water, but remember that they may never come back as clear as they were in the beginning. An alternative is to replace the old laces with a new pair
Step 2. Rinse your shoes under running water
Immerse the Converse in cold water. You can rinse them under tap water or immerse them in a large bucket or basin of water.
- Use cold water rather than hot water to avoid the risk of fixing stains and further ruining the blank canvas.
- You can do all of this in the sink, but you can also spread a tarp or plastic sheet on the table or floor and work on it. What you're going to do may mess around and the cleaning solution may end up on the table or floor, so be careful not to drip excess product onto something that could get damaged.
Step 3. Mix the baking soda and vinegar
Combine enough baking soda and white vinegar in a glass or plastic bowl to form a thin, foamy paste.
- Do not use a metal bowl or spoon, it is a material that can react negatively with vinegar.
- You can also use powder detergent instead of baking soda and liquid detergent instead of vinegar, depending on what you have available. The mixture may not foam as much when you make it, but it will work anyway.
- The mixture should contain about two parts of baking soda and three parts of vinegar. As a general rule, however, use only enough of each product to achieve a paste-like consistency.
Step 4. Rub the shoes with the mixture
Dip a clean toothbrush or nail brush in your homemade cleanser. Scrub the entire surface of the shoes with the same brush, cleaning all sides and focusing on any particularly dirty areas.
Rinse them again under cold water when you're done. It's not strictly necessary, but so you can check your progress and avoid filling the washing machine with baking soda or vinegar
Step 5. Put the shoes in the washing machine
Put the white Converse in the washing machine with some regular detergent. Program it for a full cycle in cold water.
- Do not use bleach or bleaching detergents.
- To prevent shoes from hitting the drum too hard when washing, wrap them in a net or laundry bag before putting them inside.
Step 6. Let them dry
Converse should dry in the open air. To speed up the process and increase the whitening effect, put them to dry in a warm, sunny and dry place.
- The dry heat of the sun allows the shoes to dry faster, and the sunlight really has a slight whitening effect.
- Do not use a dryer. It will make Converse lose their shape.
Method 2 of 4: Different Options to Remove Scuff Marks
Step 1. Use water and a bar of soap
Usually, scrubbing the scratches with a sponge soaked in soapy water will do the trick.
- Use a mild soap, such as hand soap or liquid dish soap with no added fragrances or chemicals. Put a few drops of product in a cup of warm water and mix until foam forms on the surface.
- When scrubbing the scuff marks, scrub the shoe with the sponge making firm, circular motions.
Step 2. Test the WD-40
Spray a little product directly on the scratches and remove the marks with a sponge or rag.
Among other things, the WD-40 is often used to remove moisture, clean dirt and debris from various surfaces. But use it only on the rubber part of the shoe, and not on the canvas. As it is an oil-based product, WD-40 can leave stains on similar materials
Step 3. Use acetone for nails
Soak a cotton ball or pad in some acetone and rub the scuff marks until they go away.
- Rub the marks vigorously with acetone to push them away. They should clear up almost immediately.
- Acetone-based nail polish removers are best.
Step 4. Blot with some bleach
Dilute a small amount of bleach with a little water. Dip a clean toothbrush into the solution and use it to scrub the scuff marks.
Bleach is a popular whitener, but it is also a harsh chemical. As such, you should only use the amount necessary to avoid ruining the shoes. Also you should only use it on the rubber part of the shoe and not on the fabric part
Step 5. Scrub the marks with whitening toothpaste
Apply it directly to the scratches and scrub with a toothbrush.
- A toothpaste that contains bicarbonate is preferable to any other. Baking soda has additional benefits as a cleaner, and because it is mildly abrasive, it can remove the stain caused by scratches.
- If you can't find a baking soda toothpaste, one with a bleaching agent will work just as well.
Step 6. Use lemon
Cut a lemon in half and apply the cut portion of one of the halves directly to the lines on the shoe. Rub vigorously to remove the mark.
- Lemon juice is often used as an alternative to bleach.
- Let the lemon juice sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing in cold water.
- If you don't have whole lemons, you can also scrub the area with some lemon juice and a toothbrush or rag.
Step 7. Use petroleum jelly
Rub it over the scuff marks. Leave it on for five minutes before removing it with a damp rag.
- Vaseline adheres to the dirt particles of the ridged part and removes residues.
- Keep petroleum jelly on the rubber part of the shoe and avoid canvas if possible. Petroleum jelly can sometimes leave a slight stain on fabrics.
Step 8. Scrub the marks with isopropyl alcohol
Apply it to the scuff marks with a cotton swab or pad. Scrub well and wipe off any alcohol residue with a damp rag when you're done.
Isopropyl alcohol is a very strong household substance that can wash away various types of stubborn residue and grime
Method 3 of 4: Magic Eraser
Step 1. Remove the laces
Unfasten your shoes to expose as much white canvas as possible so it will be easier to thoroughly clean the sneakers.
You can clean your shoelaces separately by soaking them in a bucket or basin with hot soapy water, but remember that they may never come back as clear as they were in the beginning. An alternative is to replace the old laces with a new pair
Step 2. Wet your shoes
Lightly wet the Converse in cold water. You can rinse them under tap water or immerse them in a large bucket or basin of water.
You could have moistened the sponge instead of getting your shoes wet, but that way you can be sure there is enough moisture during the cleaning process
Step 3. Rub with the magic eraser
Use a "magic eraser" stain remover to gently scrub the shoe fabric from toe to heel, covering as much fabric as possible.
- When one side of the sponge gets dirty, turn it over and switch sides.
- Magic erasers contain no harsh chemicals, so they're a great option if you have pets or small children, or if you'd rather have no chemicals in the house.
- This rubber contains a melamine polymer. It is flexible and rather soft to the touch but the polymer is actually a very effective abrasive foam. When you use gum, you are literally scraping dirt off with physical force.
Step 4. Let them dry in the open air
Put them in a warm, sunny and dry place. In this way they dry faster and increase the whitening effect.
- The dry heat of the sun allows the shoes to dry faster, and the sunlight really has a slight whitening effect.
- Do not use a dryer. It will make Converse lose their shape.
Method 4 of 4: Clean Stains
Step 1. Remove the laces
Unfasten your shoes to expose as much white canvas as possible so it will be easier to thoroughly clean the sneakers.
You can clean your shoelaces separately by soaking them in a bucket or basin with hot soapy water, but remember that they may never come back as clear as they were in the beginning. An alternative is to replace the old laces with a new pair
Step 2. Apply a stain remover to dirty spots
Use it on any stain you want to remove. Follow the instructions on the label when blotting the stain with the product.
- Be aware that it is not necessary to pre-moisten your shoes when using a stain remover, unless specifically stated on the label. If so, follow the product instructions to determine how much water to use.
- Although specific instructions may vary, it is usually necessary to rub the product on the shoe stain in a firm circular motion. Spread the product just beyond the edge of the stain to prevent it from spreading onto the clean white fabric.
Step 3. Put the shoes in the washing machine
Put the white Converse in the washing machine with some regular detergent. Program it for a full cycle in cold water.
- Do not use bleach or bleaching detergents.
- If you want to prevent your shoes from continually bumping into the drum while washing, wrap them in a net or laundry bag before putting them inside.
Step 4. Let them dry
Converse should dry in the open air. To speed up the process and increase the whitening effect, put them to dry in a warm, sunny and dry place.
- The dry heat of the sun allows the shoes to dry faster, and the sunlight really has a slight whitening effect.
- Do not use a dryer. It will make Converse lose their shape.
