5 Easy Ways to Clean White Converse (Step-by-Step Guides)

If you own a white Converse or plan to get one soon, this article is for you. Converse is a trendy footwear in different parts of the world. Whether young or old, you can comfortably wear them in different seasons. However, white Converse shoes are not the easiest to maintain.

This article provides detailed information on how to clean white Converse and keep them fresh all year round.

How to Clean White Converse Like a Pro: 5 Techniques

Here are excellent techniques I use to clean my white Converse in every situation.

Using Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide

If you need to remove adamant stains off a white Converse, use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide solution. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can be used to clean a variety of fabrics, including the canvas and leather typically found in Converse shoes. But you can use a mixture of these two on either material to achieve a better result.

To clean white Converse using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide:

• First, mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water in a bucket or bowl.
• Dip a clean towel into the solution and gently scrub the Converse.
• Rinse off the towel when it gets too dirty, apply more of the solution, and continue.
• Use a separate clean damp cloth to wipe the Converse.
• Leave it in the open to dry.

If the rubber soles of the Converse are dirty, you can also clean them using this technique. UUsing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is effective for cleaning all Converse shoes, regardless of their size. If you don’t know how to size your Converse, don’t worry!

Here is a detailed Converse size guide video:

Using Bleach

The second technique on the list is the use of bleach. This technique is suitable for whitening discolored Canvases. Consider this technique once you start noticing yellow discolorations on your Converse.

To clean white Converse using bleach:

• Prepare a mixture of bleach and water, and soak the Converse for 10-15 minutes.
• After you soak the Converse appropriately, transfer it to another bowl of clean water and rinse.
• Ensure you add enough water while rinsing to remove every trace of bleach.
• Leave it in the open air to dry.

This technique requires utmost care and attention. It’s a very tricky procedure, although highly effective. If you want to avoid damaging the fabric or discoloring the shoe even further, make sure you use the correct type of bleach. Secondly, the mixture must not be too concentrated. If it is, it can cause further damage.

Using Acetone

Acetone, also known as nail polish remover, cleans the sole of Converse shoes. This substance is mainly used in emergencies if you have little or no time to clean them.

Using acetone to clean Converse is not the most thorough method, but it can be a quick solution in a pinch. You can also use acetone to remove stains from the sole of your shoe if you do not wish to wash the entire shoe.

To clean white Converse using acetone:

• Pour a cup of acetone into a washing bowl and drop a cotton ball inside it
• Allow the cotton ball to get soaked in acetone before removing it.
• Rub the wet cotton ball on the affected area to eliminate stubborn dirt.

Using Water & Detergent

This technique is one of the most common techniques. It is most suitable when you want to wash the entire shoe.

To clean white Converse using water and detergent:

• Mix detergent with a bucket of water and dip a towel inside the bucket.
• Once the towel is wet enough, remove it and scrub your shoe with it.
• For more thorough cleaning, use a toothbrush to work through the teeth of the sole.
• After cleaning every part of the shoe, rinse it with water and let it air dry.

For this technique, I would advise you to test a small hidden spot before cleaning the whole shoe to ensure the detergent does not discolor or damage the fabric. This tip would help prevent further damage if the soap is unsuitable for the Converse.

Using Baking Soda & Vinegar

If your white Converse smells terrible, try cleaning it with vinegar. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar washes off tough stains on the Converse. Plus, they eliminate any offensive smell.

To clean with baking soda and vinegar:

• Add a little hot water to baking soda and vinegar and make a paste with it.
• Wet the Converse with cold water and smear the paste all over it.
• Keep rubbing the paste with your hand or brush until you cover every part with the paste.
• Allow it to sink in for a while. When it does, use a wet cloth to clean the paste off the shoe.
• Rinse it in warm water and leave it in the open to dry. Your Converse will be whiter than you imagine.

How to Maintain My Converse’s Whiteness

How do I ensure my Converse remains white? Here they are:

Avoid Wearing Your Converse on Rainy/Snowy Days.

Wearing white Converse in the rain spoils the fabric and makes it lose its sparkle. You wouldn’t want that for your Converse, right? Converse materials are highly water-absorbent. Wearing them in the rain makes them wet, leaving chunks of dirt on the surface. And on most occasions, removing these stains is not easy, so avoid wearing them in the rain.

If you must wear them when it is raining, apply a silicone-based water repellent to prevent the water from getting through. Additionally, you shouldn’t buy every brand you see. Fake brands will spoil even when you don’t wear them in the rain. You would think your cleaning methods didn’t work, meanwhile it wasn’t your fault.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to spot real and fake Converse shoes:

Remove Loose Dirt After Every Use

Loose dirt is the macroscopic dirt you pick up on the way while wearing your Converse. The good news is that loose dirt is easy to clean off. Don’t wait until it is laundry time before cleaning them.

You can remove these dirt specks using shoe wipes, acetones, and cotton balls. But don’t worry if you have none of these. A simple damp towel can do the magic.

Don’t Use Hot Water

Don’t wash your Converse with hot water if you want to keep it white and strong. Always use cold or warm water, whether you are washing with a machine or your hands. Why is this vital?

Hot water on Converse shrinks the fabrics and discolors them. When Converse is soaked in hot water, it absorbs so much water, making it extremely difficult to dry. Another disadvantage is that it makes the adhesives holding the Converse together loose. You can destroy your Converse’s integrity if you do this often.

Maintain it Regularly

You must regularly maintain your Converse if you want it to remain white and fresh. Because of its color, it’s super easy to get stains on them, so you must be careful.

What does this regular maintenance entail?

• Washing the shoe as often as you can with mild detergents
• Air drying
• Storing them in places that allow air passage or prevent dirt and stains.

While you can wash them with a washing machine, I advise you not to. It’s better to wash them manually. Why is this wrong?

Washing your Converse can discolor them over time, especially if you often wash them with other materials.

How to Store Your White Converse

Here are different storage options I use to shield my White Converse from external factors:

• Shoe Rack: Store the white Converse you regularly wear in a shoe rack. It is an open space that allows air to flow freely, so you don’t have to worry about foul odor. This storage option also helps to keep your shoes organized. Shoe racks can be made of wood, plastic, or glass.
• Shoe Boxes: This storage option is unlike shoe racks. If you have a white Converse that you don’t wear all the time, this storage system is your best bet. It keeps sunlight, dust, and stains away. However, ensure the box doesn’t have any moisture in them or it can ruin everything over time.
• Clear Plastic Boxes: This is very similar to shoe boxes. But while shoe boxes are made of cardboard, plastic boxes are made of plastic. They are also used to store shoes worn occasionally. It helps protect your converse from unfavorable external conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cleaning White Converse

Can You Put Converse in the Washing Machine?

Yes, you can put Converse in a washing machine, although manual cleaning is often recommended to prevent potential damage. However, if you choose to use a washing machine, you must follow some rules. Always remove the shoe laces before washing, tie them in a mesh bag, and set the machine at 30°C. Also, wash for only 30-40 minutes.

How to Deal with Persistent Stains?

One of the best ways of dealing with persistent stains is by applying bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Scrub your Converse gently with a bleach and water solution; it will slowly dissolve all the tough stains. After scrubbing, rinse properly to eliminate all the bleach before you dry them.

How Often Should You Clean Your White Converse?

There is no strict rule regarding how often you should wash your Converse. But endeavor to wash them as often as possible. After wearing them, always clean them before you return them to the shoe rack. Carry shoe wipes to remove loose stains whenever you are stepping out.

Conclusion

White Converse requires proper maintenance. It is the only way they would last longer and remain sparkling white. Now that you have learned how to clean white Converse, you won’t have difficulty eliminating those stubborn stains and keeping the shoes fresh.