When it comes to wearing white sneakers it can be extremely daunting to figure out how to clean white converse. You might be asking can you put converse in the washing machine? Probably not the best idea. Keep reading this guide to find out best ways on how to clean white converse fabric.

Just thinking about wearing white after Labor Day[a phrase that I stole from Never Been Kissed], makes me scrunch up my face in terror, which I imagine would resemble an old wrinkled sponge.

The constant fear of staining such pure and innocent piece of fabric strikes lightning bolts of fear into the hearts of all stylish streetwear enthusiasts everywhere.

Guess what else is scary?

Ah, the thought is so daunting.

Is getting those immaculate pieces of whites, dirty and not being able to clean and polish them to their full glory.

Cue the daunting music now, and fix yourself a low-calorie snack. Because one of the worst, annoying, difficult, frustrating and tedious backbites of owning a pair of white Converse All Stars sneakers, would be, cleaning them.

See… terrifying.

Classically stylish by nature, these sneakers, most commonly known for their black or white aesthetic, can be difficult to clean. We read so many horror stories of people putting them into the washer then the dryer and then…

you’re stuck with an awkward washed out gray color that use to resemble your white Converse sneakers.

Annoying, right?

So, what’s the plan of attack to get your pure white beauties back to health?

Look no further, as I am here to solve this problem and offer up some secrets that I have spent countless hours on the Internet collating for you.

You would not believe the many different ways you can clean white Converses: lemon juice; bicarb soda; bleach and toothpaste–the cycle is never ending.

Though, before I start divulging my secrets, I will take you on a journey of fashion history, starting with the origin of the shade white. And then the history of the Converse sneaker, as I am a believer that one must fully understand the knowledge of their ancestors that came before them(AKA: the Internet).

Are your white converse shoes really white?

I know you want to know how to clean white converse but are they really white? There are numerous variations of the shade white, which slightly differs from the holy grail of whites known as ‘pure white’. The many variations of white include, which aren’t limited to: a term commonly known as ‘off-white’, which happens to be one of the many shades and colors that make up the neutral color scheme.

Who knew?

In the theory of colors, a shade is a pure color that has been mixed with black or other lower light based colors. Though, if we want to get technical, trusty Google has taught me that a shade of white would theoretically be classified as a neutral gray.

Did you ever learn this during art lessons in grade school? Because I sure didn’t.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t eliminate the long list of off-white colors that vary from pure white in hue, and in chroma(artistic terms for saturation, or intensity). Colors often considered “shades of white” include: cream, eggshell, ivory, Navajo white, and vanilla.

Keep reading and we’ll discuss how to wash white converse without staining them yellow.

The History of Chuck Taylor All-Stars

It all began with Charles Hollis Taylor–I would like to take a second to thank him for producing such wonderful sneakers that have been super supportive my whole life–in 1923. An American basketball player, that joined a team that happened to be sponsored by Converse All Stars.

Fast forward to 2003 and Nike, Inc. has been a subsidiary in producing Converse under many different brand names: Chuck Taylor All-Stars, Converse All Stars, Converse, Chucks, and Cons.

These days converse is a great accessory and big part of the athleisure trend. Worn regularly by many rappers and singers on daily basis.

The Converse design has remained relatively unchanged since their debut. The classic sneaker consists of a stitched upper portion, a toe cap–usually made of white rubber–and a sole that is usually made-up of brown rubber. Widely known for their staple version made of cotton canvas, the innovative detail of the original shoe and the loose lining was intended to prevent the friction between you and your feet, decreasing the chances getting blisters.

Six Methods How To Clean White Converse

How to clean white converse with baking soda

If you’re like me and don’t actually own baking soda because you’re a Peter Pan adult, then heading down to your local grocery store will be the beginning of your adventures. Because, well, you will also need vinegar; and an old toothbrush and some hot water.

The first step that you babies will need to do is mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with one tablespoon of baking soda, then apply hot water to make a thick paste.

Take your old toothbrush, apply the paste onto your Converses, and then scrub them till you start seeing your own reflection. This method is the most considerable method when it comes to cleaning the white Converse.

How to clean white converse with bleach

The most famous technique amongst those who have experienced the pain of staining their precious white Converses.

To make this technique induce a little less stress amongst those who have “ruined” their white Converses, here is the easiest way to get them whiter than snow with a little help of some bleach.

You will need:

1. Liquid bleach

2. Toothpaste

3. Baking Soda

4. Warm water

Add 50 ml of liquid bleach, toothpaste, baking soda and warm water. Mix it together until you have a slippery paste.

Then, you will need to soak your shoes in that slippery paste for no more than 2-3 hours.

After that, dip your toothbrush into some natural lemon juice and scrub them with a toothbrush.

After scrubbing, leave the lemon juice on your Converses for 10-15 minutes and then wash the juice off with warm water.

How to clean white converse with toothpaste

This method is widely known and has become very famous amongst sneaker lovers everywhere. I suggest using this method only when you have a particular area that needs cleaning.

Head to the grocery store and buy:

1. Toothpaste

2. An old piece of fabric

3. A bucket of warm water

4. An old toothbrush

5. Baking Soda

Do not buy colored toothpaste, I repeat, do not buy colored toothpaste. For this to work properly, only buy toothpaste of the white variety, as other kinds could stain and change the color of your shoes.

Grab your old toothbrush and apply it to all the areas of your white Converse sneakers that have been stained. Leave the paste on for no longer than an hour.

Once it hits the hour mark, grab a piece of fabric and soak it in warm water and baking soda for a minute or two, and then start rubbing your shoes with said fabric, then leave it for 10-15 minutes.

Eat a snack–maybe a muesli bar–then it’s time to wash your shoes using warm water.

It’s not unusual to see that some stains are still on your Converses. If so, repeat this method 1-2 times for the best results.

How to clean white converse with soap, water, and repetition

For all you, Peter Pan adults who don’t actually have instant access to baking soda, toothpaste and bleach–myself included–then this method is for you.

You will need:

1. An old toothbrush

2. Cleaning detergent

3. Warm water

First, you will need to grab a bucket and mix cleaning detergent and warm water.

Then soak your shoes, including the laces, in the bucket of soapy water.

If you’re only focusing on selected areas of your Converses, then grab your old toothbrush and rub and scrub the stains out for 15-20 minutes.

How to clean white converse with the nail polish remover

A very simple method that, I would say, is the simplest of them all.

This is because all you need is a bottle of nail polish remover and some cotton balls.

First, you need to apply the nail polish remover using cotton balls. The trick is to put small amounts of nail polish remover on the cotton balls.

Then rub the cotton ball on the stained areas of your Converse sneakers.

If you have remaining stains, then try this method 3-4 times.

How to clean white converse with petroleum jelly

You’re probably thinking, why should I rub Vaseline all over my stained white shoes?

Here, I’ll break it down for you.

The oil contained in petroleum jelly removes light and dark stains from white fabric–including clothes–which means it gets to the heart of the multilayered stain, increasing the chances of you being able to lift all dark spots out from your sneakers.

Another method that will require you to head down to your local grocery store. Unless you already own some petroleum jelly[please note: that Vaseline does count], and simply apply it to a toothbrush and then rub it on the stained area.

After rubbing, leave it for 5-10 minutes and then wash the jelly off with cold water.

More tips for how to how to clean white converse

1. Always unlace your shoelaces before washing them. It is very important to clean the shoelaces separately. All you need to do is soak them in warm, soapy water or buy new ones. But who has the money for that, right?

2. Do not clean both pairs unless they need cleaning. Most likely you will have stains on different areas of your sneakers. When this happens–and it will–use a cleaning stick or a detergent. If you choose to use a cleaning bar, follow the instructions that are mentioned on the back of the pack. It’s just easier that way.

3. Lastly, when it comes to drying your sneakers, it’s very important that you leave them somewhere warm–not a mechanical dryer–until they are no longer damp and wet.

And there you have it folks: The 6 most effective ways for how to clean white converse. Hope you enjoyed it! Good luck.