Do you have dirty Converse, Vans or canvas shoes in your closet? Today, we are talking about how to clean Converse and canvas shoes. You won’t believe how clean you can get even the dirtiest, white Converse sneakers clean with this simple method.

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How to Clean Converse Sneakers

This month, we are not only tackling spring cleaning, but also some other cleaning projects around the home. While I was organizing some shoes the other day, I noticed my daughter’s dingy white Converse sneakers. While they looked like they had seen better days, I decided to try cleaning them before throwing them in the trash. My whole family loves wearing Converse shoes. It is great that these shoes never seem to go out of style. My  boys prefer darker color Converse shoes, but my daughter and I gravitate towards white converse shoes. While these white shoes can look so nice when they are new, it is easy for these canvas sneakers to get dingy and dirty very quickly.

I am happy to report that I was able to get them as good as (almost) new. I then rounded up the rest of our canvas shoes in the home and used the same cleaning method. You can use these homemade DIY cleaning method on Converse, Vans and other canvas shoes. Always check on the shoe manufacturer’s website if you have any concerns with washing them on your own. 

It is great to extend the life of old shoes and in the process, save a lot of money!

Cleaning Converse Shoes with Baking Soda

Can you clean white converse shoes with baking soda? The answer is yes! It is always a good idea to test this cleaning method on a small part of the shoes before using the method all over the shoes.

Cleaning supplies you will need:

• Laundry Detergent
• Baking Soda
• Water
• Toothbrush

1. Remove shoe laces from the sneakers.

The first step to cleaning converse sneakers is to take out the laces of the shoes.

You will wash the shoe laces separate from the shoes. I did have a pair in which the laces were secured with a knot at the end and so I did not remove them from the sneakers. 

But, in most cases you should remove the laces. 

2. Mix equal parts laundry detergent to baking soda.

The next step of the cleaning method for your Converse shoes is to clean them with baking soda and laundry detergent.

Be sure to lay a large towel down on the surface you will be working on. Start with 1-2 Tablespoons each of laundry detergent and baking soda and add more if needed. If you are cleaning a lot of shoes, you will need more of the mixture.

To make a larger batch, mix equal parts laundry detergent to baking soda.

3.  Add in water to get a runny paste.

Now, to get the right consistency for the cleaning solution, you will add water. The cleaning mixture should be a runny paste.

Then, use a toothbrush to apply the paste all over the shoes.

Be sure to add more paste to dirty spots. Do not forget the tongue of the shoe.

This is wear it comes in handy to have a towel under the shoes. This cleaning process for your Converse shoes can get messy!

4. Let the shoes sit with the mixture for at least 30 minutes.

Now, set a timer and let the shoes sit for 30 minutes or more (if really dirty). The longer you let the shoes sit, the better. But you do not want the solution to dry up, so be sure to check on the shoes after thirty minutes.

5. Put the shoe laces in the remaining mixture.

If you have leftover mixture, put the shoelaces directly in the cleaning solution. You may need to add water to fill the bowl and cover the laces.

6. Put shoes in washer on gentle cycle

You can choose to put your shoes in the washer on the gentle cycle or you can rinse the shoes by hand.

*See my note below on washing Converse and Vans.

7. Repeat with the paste and rinse if shoes still have dirt spots.

If you find that the shoes are still dirty, you can repeat the entire process again. We had to do my daughter’s white Converse two times, however, one of my pairs of Converse only required one time.

8. Let shoes air dry.

Do not put your canvas shoes in the dryer!

It will take a full day for your shoes to air dry. You can put them outside but not directly in the sun or extreme heat. I was able to put our shoes on our covered porch as it was a cloudy day.

Can I put my Converse shoes in the washer?

The official Converse website does not recommend putting your canvas shoes in the washing machine. The instructions does not indicate why they can not be put in the washing machine. I read many articles that said you COULD put your Converse in the washer. The Vans website also advise against putting their canvas shoes in the washing machine.

So,  it is really up to you if you are willing to take a chance. I had NO ISSUE putting our Converse sneakers in the washing machine. I used the gentle setting on warm water and the shoes came out with absolutely no issue. In our case, some of our shoes were in such bad shape that if they didn’t get cleaned, they would be thrown away soon. So, I was willing to use the washer and hoped that it worked out okay.

If you decide not to put your Converse in the washing machine, you will need to rinse them very thoroughly to get all of the soap and baking soda off.

How to Clean Converse Shoelaces

It is amazing what a clean pair of shoelaces can do to refreshing your old shoes! You will want the laces to sit in the detergent and baking soda mixture for at least 1 hour. I let the laces sit in the mixture until the Converse shoes were out of the washing machine.

Then, remove the shoelaces from the mixture and rinse until the soap comes out of them. Let the laces air dry on a towel along with the sneakers.

 

Our laces came out 100% clean with not a single spot of dirt. It is so great to have these shoes back to almost new.

Last Cleaning Step

Lastly, you can buff up the toe area of your Converse by using a Magic Eraser. Gently wipe the scuff and dirt marks. You will be amazed at how much this last cleaning step makes all the difference!

Clean White Converse Shoes

My daughter’s Converse were a 90% improvement on their original state. My pewter colored Converse look BRAND NEW! It really depends on how dirty your Converse are as to how clean you can get them. You can keep trying to get them cleaner by repeating the entire process.

This homemade recipe for Converse sneakers is great because you do not have to buy any products (as you most likely have detergent and baking soda in your home)! Plus, it is a more natural method for cleaning shoes than using bleach or Oxi Clean. Now that you know how to clean Converse, will you give this recipe a try?

Does your family have a love of Converse sneakers?

Favorite Converse Sneakers