Would you like to lighten a pair of plimsolls or make them completely white? This article describes some ways to do this, as well as some methods for adding some interesting designs.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Preparations
Step 1. Work in a well-ventilated area
The best place is outside; if that's not possible, open a window or turn on a fan. Bleach has a strong odor and, if there is not enough air circulation, it could cause a headache.
Step 2. Protect your work surface
Place some newspaper, a plastic sheet, or some old tablecloth on the surface you intend to work on to protect it from possible stains.
Step 3. Make sure your shoes are clean
If they are dirty, you cannot see the effects of the bleach; if necessary, wash them in a bucket with soap and water and let them dry before proceeding.
Method 2 of 5: Use a rag
Step 1. Get the necessary materials
This method is most effective on lace-up or rubber-toe models, such as Converse, but is suitable for all types of textile trainers, such as Toms and Vans. Here's what you need to bleach them:
- Gym shoes;
- Bleach;
- Water (optional);
- Bowl;
- Old rag;
- Rubber gloves.
Step 2. Remove the laces and keep them aside
If you don't take them off, the underlying fabric may keep the original color or you may end up bleaching those too.
Step 3. Put on a pair of rubber gloves
By doing this, protect your hands from bleach in case the rag gets too wet.
Step 4. Pour some bleach into a bowl
You can decide to use it pure or diluted with water. With the pure one you get faster results, but you could ruin the fabric a little; the process with the diluted one takes longer, but is less aggressive on the fibers of the canvas.
If you choose this second option, mix the two substances in equal parts
Step 5. Get an old rag
You can also decide to use some cotton swabs or an old toothbrush to reach the small and more difficult areas.
Step 6. Apply the bleach to the surface of the shoes using the rag
If you rub the bleach on the fabric, the color should lighten more. Don't worry if the shoes turn a weird shade - for example, if they're navy blue they might turn brown - because it's just a momentary effect that then disappears.
However, keep in mind that some shoes will never turn completely white; for example, most black ones tend to turn brown or orange
Step 7. Repeat the process as many times as necessary
If the shoes are dark in color, you need to use a lot of bleach and repeat these steps several times; as you go, you should see that the fabric becomes lighter and lighter. You have to arm yourself with time and patience.
Use a cotton swab to treat smaller areas, such as the corners and between the loops of the laces
Step 8. Wash your shoes in a bucket with soap and water
This step neutralizes the action of the bleach and prevents it from corroding the fabric.
Step 9. Let them dry
Next, you should wash them so they no longer smell like bleach.
Step 10. When finished, put the laces back on
Method 3 of 5: Use a Plastic Tray
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
This method is most effective on shoes that are completely cloth, such as Vans and Toms. If you have shoes that have laces or rubber toes, try this other method instead. Listed below are the tools you need:
- Sneakers of canvas;
- Bleach;
- Waterfall;
- Plastic tray;
- Rubber gloves.
Step 2. Consider removing the insoles
If they are inside the shoes, you should take them off and set them aside, so that they keep their original color when you put them back into the shoes, thus creating a nice contrast.
Step 3. Put on a pair of rubber gloves
You need to protect your hands from bleach.
Step 4. Fill a tub with water and bleach
If you want to get a more concentrated solution, pour the two liquids in equal parts; if you want a more diluted mixture, put one part of bleach and two parts of water.
- Fill the basin to the point where you can completely submerge your shoes.
- Make sure the tub is large enough to adequately contain the shoes.
Step 5. Put the shoes inside
Immerse them upside down, so that the fabric stays below the water level and absorbs the solution containing the bleach.
Step 6. Leave the shoes undisturbed for the time necessary to achieve the desired effect
This may take anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the original color tone and how much you want to lighten the fabric. Be aware that some rather dark colored shoes will never turn completely white; some models, such as black ones, can turn brown or orange.
Be sure to check the result every 10-60 minutes
Step 7. Remove the shoes from the solution and wash them with soap and water
This step allows you to block the whitening action of the bleach, as well as eliminate its odor.
Step 8. Let them dry before putting the laces back on
It will take about three hours before they are completely dry.
Method 4 of 5: Use a Spray Bottle
Step 1. Gather the material
You can use a spray bottle to completely wet the shoes with bleach or just to splash them in some places. Here's what you need:
- Sneakers of canvas;
- Bleach;
- Waterfall;
- Spray bottle with nozzle;
- Rubber gloves.
Step 2. Consider removing the laces
This allows you to spread the bleach more evenly while avoiding damaging the laces themselves.
Step 3. Put on a pair of gloves to repair your hands
Even if you are working with a spray bottle, it is quite possible that some bleach may come into contact with your skin, but gloves allow you to protect it.
Step 4. Fill a clean spray bottle with water and bleach
If you want a concentrated solution, combine the two liquids in equal parts, while if you want a more diluted mixture, pour them in a ratio of 1: 2 (one part bleach and two parts water). The bottle should be equipped with a nozzle with two or three settings: spray, nebulizer and closed.
Step 5. Close the bottle and shake it
In this way, you mix the two liquids evenly.
Step 6. Start spraying the shoes
Use the "spray" setting and spread a few splashes of solution on the shoes; this method allows to obtain a sort of "starry sky" effect. Then turn on the "nebulizer" setting and spray all the shoes to whiten them completely.
Step 7. Leave them in the open air to dry
This process could take anywhere from about 20 minutes up to several hours. The longer you let the bleach sit, the more discolored the shoes. Remember, however, that dark fabric ones will never turn completely white; some models, such as black ones, can turn brown or orange.
Step 8. Consider washing them with soap and water when they reach the color you want
In this way, you not only stop the action of the bleach, but you also get rid of its smell.
Step 9. Put the laces back on if you took them off
Method 5 of 5: Create Bleach Designs
Step 1. Collect the material
It is not necessary to completely bleach footwear, but you can paint or draw designs on the fabric. Here's what you need:
- Sneakers of canvas;
- Bowl;
- Bleach;
- Economic brush with stiff bristles;
- Bleach pen (optional).
Step 2. Decide on the type of drawing
Once you start outlining it on your shoes, it's impossible to erase the bleach strokes; take a sheet of paper and a pencil or pen and trace the subject you want.
Step 3. Copy the design onto the shoes using a pencil
This allows you to see where you are creating the drawing and not to make mistakes.
Step 4. Pour some bleach into a bowl and take a thin, inexpensive brush
Make sure the bristles are stiff and plastic; if they are too soft, they cannot resist bleach; in the same way, natural fibers, such as boar bristles, sable or camel hair, can corrode due to the action of bleach.
You can also use a bleach pen, although some people find it difficult to control its movement; Consider giving it a try and using it on another scrap fabric before applying it to your shoes
Step 5. Start drawing on the shoes
Bleach does not work immediately, but after a while you may notice that the color begins to lighten; you will have to wait about an hour.
Keep in mind that some designs don't turn completely white; if you want to make a truly white decoration, you have to try with a white and opaque fabric specific marker
Step 6. When you are satisfied with the result, you can rinse your shoes
In this way, the action of the bleach is interrupted and you avoid deteriorating the canvas.
Advice
Bleach can discolor the rubber front toe of footwear; if you're worried it might happen to yours, cover it with duct tape
Warnings
- Be careful when using bleach; if at any time you start to feel dizzy, take a break and go outside.
- Not all fabrics turn white; those with darker colors can turn pink or orange.
- Look carefully at the fabric, as the bleach can corrode it and leave holes.
