Vans are sneakers that are very popular with people of all ages. They are available in a wide range of patterns and colors, including black. In particular, in the total black version the fabric, the strings and even the rubber are black, so many people wonder what is the best way to clean them. Fortunately, they can be washed at home using water, dish soap and a stiff-bristled toothbrush. After washing them, you can use a polish to restore the color and bring them back to their original shine.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Remove Dirt and Stains
Step 1. Remove the strings and set them aside momentarily
You will hand wash them separately from the shoes. Remove them from the eyelets and focus on the shoes again. You won't have to put them back on until you've cleaned them and your shoes have been washed and polished.
Step 2. Eliminate surface dirt
Bring your shoes outdoors and beat them several times against each other to drop any dirt or mud residue. If necessary, you can use a dry, stiff-bristled shoe brush to peel them off. In this first phase there is no need to rub even the parts where the fabric is dirty, it is sufficient to remove the largest accumulations of earth and dirt before wetting them.
Step 3. Make a cleaning solution of water and dish soap
Choose a product with a gentle formula and pour a small amount (a few drops should suffice) into a medium-sized bowl, then fill it with warm water. Foam should form, if not, move the water with your fingers until it appears on the surface.
Step 4. Scrub the surface of the shoes vigorously using a stiff bristled brush
Wet it with the cleaning solution, then start scrubbing. Start at one end of the shoe and methodically work your way up to the opposite, taking care to scrub every single area.
There is no need for the shoes to get soaked with water, just moisten them just enough for a light foam to form as you scrub
Step 5. Rub the rubber surrounding the shoes
Many black Vans models have the same colored soles, which makes them easier to clean. If, on the other hand, the gum around the perimeter is white, pay it a little extra attention by rubbing it until it appears clean and a pure white color again.
Step 6. Rinse off the detergent with a damp cloth
Wring it out well after wetting it with clean water, then use it to remove the soap from your shoes. Wet it again, squeeze it and repeat until the detergent is completely removed.
- Remember that the cloth should be wrung out and do not put the shoes directly under water.
- Let the rubber parts dry for a few minutes before polishing them. To get the best possible result they should only be slightly moist.
Part 2 of 3: Restore the Color
Step 1. Cover the small red label on the back of the shoes with duct tape
This is the Vans logo which is attached on the back; the one located on the rubber, not on the fabric. Tear off two pieces of masking tape and stick them on the two labels, being careful to completely cover them.
Most people prefer to preserve the original look of the logo, so you need to protect it before applying the black gloss
Step 2. Pour a small amount of polish on one shoe
After removing the cap from the product, you will see that there is a comfortable sponge to apply it. Turn the package upside down and squeeze it lightly between your fingers to let a small amount of polish spill directly onto the fabric of one of the two shoes.
- You can buy black shoe polish at a shoe store.
- Start with one shoe and complete the process before moving on to the other.
Step 3. Use the sponge applicator to distribute the polish
Move your hand quickly back and forth, distributing a small amount of polish over a single area of the shoe until it is absorbed. There is no need to press the applicator hard against the fabric; it is better to have a light hand to be able to move the package quickly.
The invigorating effect on the fabric is almost immediate, the black will immediately be more intense and uniform
Step 4. Move the applicator quickly and use only a little polish at a time
When needed, squeeze the package again to release a few more drops. Keep moving your hand rapidly back and forth until you have covered the entire surface of the shoe. Do not add any more product until the one present has been completely absorbed. Being fast allows you to distribute the gloss evenly, without giving it time to penetrate into a single point of the fabric, saturating the fibers.
- The shoe should not look soaked in polish. Don't let it build up on the surface.
- Pay particular attention to areas where the color is particularly faded or where there are scratches.
Step 5. Then apply the polish to the rubber strip around the shoe
When you are satisfied with the work done on the fabric, repeat the same process to restore intensity to the color of the rubber along the perimeter of the shoe. Apply a small amount of product and distribute it with quick gestures. The eraser will also immediately appear a more vibrant and even color.
- Don't forget to apply black polish to the lace eyelets as well, but be careful to avoid the woven label with the Vans logo, unless you don't mind it's no longer visible.
- Some Vans models have black fabric, but white rubber. If so, skip this step.
Step 6. Inspect the shoe closely and apply more polish where needed
When finished, the black should be intense, lively and uniform. Look at the fabric and rubber carefully to see if there are still any scratches, stains or areas where the color is not homogeneous. Make sure you've reached even the smallest crevices.
Step 7. Dampen a clean cloth and polish the surface of the shoe
Wet it with cold running water, then squeeze and rub it gently over the entire surface of the shoe to make the color shine to the maximum. If there is an excess of product in some places, dab it and rub it until the color is uniform. When finished, the shoe should look shiny, look slightly wet and above all almost new.
Step 8. Move on to the second shoe and repeat the process in full
As initially suggested, it is certainly best to treat only one shoe at a time. When the appearance of the first satisfies you completely, put it aside and start treating the second. Repeat the exact same process, quickly rubbing the product first on the fabric and then on the rubber and eyelets.
Step 9. Let the polish dry for 15 minutes
Put your shoes in a well-ventilated place where they can dry while you clean the laces. Shoe polish typically takes only 15 minutes to dry completely, but if you've used a lot, you may have to wait longer. Make sure your shoes are dry to the touch before putting them on again.
Remember to peel off the tape covering the back label when the transparency is dry
Part 3 of 3: Clean the Strings
Step 1. Prepare the cleaning solution again
Throw away the soapy water you used to clean your shoes and pour the detergent and lukewarm water back into the bowl. Also in this case a few drops of soap will suffice, while the amount of water required depends on the volume of the strings: they must be completely submerged. Stir the water with your hand to help the detergent dissolve and foam.
Step 2. Dip both strings in the soapy water
Submerge them completely, then soak them for a few minutes so that the detergent has time to soak in and loosen the dirt. Swirl the water with the handle of an old toothbrush or your fingers to help the process.
Step 3. Scrub the strings with an old toothbrush
Take a string out of the water and squeeze it to get rid of excess liquid. Rub it vigorously starting at one end and moving towards the other, focusing especially on the stained areas. When you are done, turn the string to the other side and start over. Then repeat the whole process to clean the second lace as well.
Step 4. Spread the strings out on a flat surface to dry
Place them on a clean, dry cloth or a few sheets of kitchen paper. It will take a few hours before they are completely dry. When they're ready, put them back in your shoes; now you can go back to wearing them as usual. Even the polish should be perfectly dry by now, but it's always best to make sure by touching the fabric and rubber with your fingers.
