8 Best Ways To Clean Your White Converse Shoes

Take cues from our list to learn how to clean your Converse and keep it shining.

Reviewed by Sandesh Navlakha, Fashion Designer & Stylist
Written by Pratima Ati, MSc
Edited by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature)
Fact-checked by Pahul Nanra, BA (English Hons)  • 

If you want to learn how to clean white converse, then we are glad to inform you that you are on the right page. Today, this article will introduce you to some of the most amazing hacks to clean your converse and make them appear new. It is true that these shoes are versatile. You can just wear them with literally anything and still look awesome. But they can easily get dirty too. This is why the hacks mentioned below are going to come in handy for you. They are easy, quick, and super effective. These tips can also be used if you are confused about how to clean white shoes. So, now without holding yourself up, go ahead and check them out because it is time for you to rock these shoes and steal the show forever.

protip_icon Ace The Look
  • Occasion: Converse shoes are versatile and can be worn for various casual occasions such as a day out with friends, a shopping trip, or a casual gathering.
  • Outfit: Pair them with distressed jeans, a graphic t-shirt, and a denim jacket for a cool and effortless vibe.
  • Accessories: Complete your outfit with a crossbody bag, a trendy baseball cap, or a fedora hat for a stylish touch. Minimalist stud earrings or a dainty necklace can add a subtle hint of elegance.
  • Materials: Converse is made with suede, leather, and/or cotton. Choose cotton converse shoes for a more casual look. Opt for the suede shoes for a more dressy affair.

Cleaning Your White Converse Shoes – Snapshot

  1. Remove the laces of the shoes.
  2. Run them under cold water and ensure that they are wet.
  3. Use one of the following ways to make a cleaning agent, and rub it all over with a brush.
  4. Thoroughly rub the paste all over the shoes – tongue, rubber sole, and edges.
  5. Either rinse them with cold water or toss them in the washing machine.
  6. Hang them dry and avoid putting them in the dryer.
protip_icon Quick Tip
You may also add a little standard detergent if you are putting them in the washing machine. Wait until the machine finishes a full cycle.

8 Best Ways To Clean White Converse Shoes

Method 1 – With Baking Soda And Vinegar

Image: Shutterstock

What You Will Need

  1. Vinegar
  2. Baking soda
  3. Brush for scrubbing
  4. Glass bowl
  5. Hot Water
  6. Old tooth brush or applicator brush

How To Use It

  1. Use a glass bowl to add one part baking soda to two parts vinegar.
  2. Add a little warm water.
  3. You can increase the quantity depending on your need.
  4. With an old toothbrush, rub the paste all over the shoes for a few minutes.
  5. Repeat the procedure if needed.
  6. Throw it in a washing machine or rinse it with water.
  7. Hang them dry.

Method 2 – With Toothpaste

Image: Shutterstock

What You Will Need

  1. Toothpaste
  2. Old toothbrush

How To Use It

  1. Apply the toothpaste on all the dirty spots on your canvas shoes.
  2. Use a paste and not a gel, plus anything in white and not colored.
  3. Let it soak in for about 15 minutes.
  4. Rinse the shoes in cold water or put it in the washing machine.
  5. Hang them dry, and repeat the process if need be.

In this YouTube video, Stephanie McQueen, a vlogger, shares her experience of testing two popular methods—toothpaste vs. baking soda and vinegar—for cleaning white shoes, where the Colgate White toothpaste turned out to be the clear winner. Stephanie confidently declares, “It was definitely the Colgate White toothpaste (i).”

Method 3 – With Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda

Image: Shutterstock

What You Will Need

  1. Hydrogen peroxide
  2. Baking Soda
  3. Warm water
  4. Old Toothbrush
  5. Gloves

How To Use It

  1. Take one tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with half a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and warm water respectively.
  2. Make it into a paste.
  3. With an old toothbrush, apply the paste all over the shoes or the affected areas.
  4. Leave them for thirty minutes.
  5. Rinse them off with water or put them in the washing machine.
  6. Wear gloves if you have them handy.

Method 4 – With Bleach

Image: Shutterstock

What You Will Need

  1. Bleach
  2. Toothpaste
  3. Baking soda
  4. Tooth brush
  5. Lemon(optional)
  6. Warm water

How To Use It

  1. Use liquid bleach preferably and take about 50 ml of the agent.
  2. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and toothpaste.
  3. Add a little warm and make it into a runny paste.
  4. Apply this all over your shoes and soak them for a couple of hours.
  5. Wash your shoes with cold water or in a washing machine.
  6. You could alternatively just rub lemon and sprinkle baking soda all over your shoes, since lemon has natural bleaching properties.
  7. But, remember that bleach might make your shoes old and faded.

Method 5 – With Baking Soda, Laundry Detergent And Water 

What You Will Need

  1. Baking Soda.
  2. Laundry Detergent.
  3. Water
  4. Old Toothbrush

How To Use It

  1. Take equal parts baking soda and laundry detergent.
  2. Add a little water to make it into a smooth, runny paste.
  3. Apply this all over the shoes. You could also soak the lace in this liquid.
  4. Leave it for about 30 minutes.
  5. Wash the shoes with water or put it in the washing machine.
  6. Hang them dry.

You can also use a shoe stain remover to remove the pesky stains.

Method 6 – With Nail Polish Remover/Acetone

Image: Shutterstock

What You Will Need

  1. Nail polish remover
  2. Acetone
  3. Cotton pads

How To Use It

  1. Dip cotton pads in acetone, preferably or any other nail polish remover in hand.
  2. Rub it over the affected areas.
  3. Scrub the shoes thoroughly.
  4. Wash them in powdered or liquid soap water.
  5. Toss them in the washing machine and hang them dry.
  6. It might not be the most effective method, but it’s your best bet during emergencies.
protip_icon Quick Tip
You may wrap the shoes in a mesh or fabric laundry bag before putting them in the washing machine to prevent them from banging around inside the machine.

Method 7 – With Alcohol

An alcohol cleaner for cleaning white Converse shoes
Image: IStock

What You Will Need

  • Alcohol
  • Old Toothbrush

How To Use It

  • Dab a small amount of alcohol on the affected areas.
  • Allow some time to set in properly.
  • Use an old toothbrush to brush the stain off carefully.
  • Lastly, air-dry the shoes for some time.

Method 8 – With Hot Water And Salt

Preparation of a mix of hot water and salt
Image: Shutterstock

What You Will Need

  • Hot Water
  • Salt Granules
  • Old Toothbrush

How To Use It

  • Prepare a mix of one tablespoon of salt in a cup of hot water.
  • Mix it well so that all the salt dissolves properly.
  • Dip a toothbrush in the saltwater mix and then lightly brush until the stains come off.
  • Air-dry your shoes.

Infographic: Tips To Maintain White Converse Shoes

The cleaning tips discussed in the article will help keep your white Converse shoes clean. However, only cleaning is not enough. With a bit of care, you can keep them looking brand new for a long time. The following infographic has a list of tips to help you out! Scroll down to learn more.

tips to maintain white converse shoes (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

How to clean Converse shoes is a constant, pestering question for most people, but it barely requires any effort. Whatever you need to make them look new and flawless is already available in your home. From toothpaste, acetone, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide to baking soda, you will find them all on your kitchen shelf. All you need to do is follow the above instructions carefully and give your converse shoes that perfect clean appearance. So, next time you feel hesitant to wear them because you do not want them to get dirty, don’t worry. This article will help you retain the newness of those converse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put converse in the dryer?

Not really. Let them air dry unless you need to wear them out immediately. Try and avoid the dryer as much as you can, because there are chances of the shoes shrinking, plus the heat spoils the shine of the shoes in no time.

Can you put converse in the washing machine?

Yes. Like we just discussed, follow one of the above-mentioned methods to clean the shoes first. Throw into the washing machine as the last step, with a gentle laundry detergent, and put it on a delicate setting. Again, make sure you remove the lace.

Why did my white Converse turn yellow after washing?

Your white Converse may turn yellow due to improper washing methods, constant accumulation of dirt and sweat, or prolonged exposure to sunlight and air. This is a common phenomenon. You can follow the steps mentioned in this article to wash your Converse shoes.

How to clean white leather sneakers?

Make a mixture of baking soda and water and apply the paste on your shoes using a toothbrush while moving it in a circular motion. Once it dries off, take a damp cloth and wipe it off and let it dry.

How to remove oil stains from white suede shoes?

If you have got oil stains on your suede shoes, sprinkle some cornstarch powder on the affected area, and let it sit for a few hours. Then, using a cloth gently wipe it off from the shoes.

Key Takeaways

  • To keep white Converse sneakers looking good and prevent discoloration, regular washing is essential.
  • Use a solution of vinegar and water to brighten the white cloth and a solution of baking soda and water to remove stubborn stains.
  • Avoid using abrasive or strong chemicals when cleaning the shoes; instead, use a soft-bristled brush.
  • Make sure to apply the proper cleaning techniques for the particular model of Converse sneakers, and to adhere to the manufacturer’s care instructions.


Learn how to keep your white Converse looking fresh and new. Check out this easy tutorial video to make your coveted shoes sparkle for long.

Personal Experience: Source

i. The best way to clean White Shoes/ Toothpaste Vs. Baking Soda & Vinegar/How to clean your white shoes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He5XhoJz5Us

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