Are Your White Converse Dirty? Here’s How to Get Them Looking Fresh

Learn how to clean white converse at home with these DIY methods

Co-authored by Marc Sigal and Johnathan Fuentes

Last Updated: February 28, 2023 References Approved

White converse are a must-have for every wardrobe. They go with almost everything, so it’s no wonder we wear them until they get filthy. Luckily, there are many ways to clean your white converse, whether they’re covered in stains or just mucky from use. This guide will teach you the four best options for cleaning white converse. Keep reading to get your favorite shoes looking almost new.

Things You Should Know

Always start by removing shoelaces and washing them in cold, soapy water. They won’t turn 100% white again, so opt for new laces if you want them looking white.
Combine baking soda + vinegar, or baking soda + hydrogen peroxide. Use a toothbrush to scrub the mixture onto your converse, then rinse them with cold water.
Acetone, a.k.a. nail polish remover, also works well. While wearing gloves, use a handcloth to rub the acetone onto your shoes, then rinse them with cold water.
After cleaning converse, wash them in cold water and hang them up to air dry. Don’t use a dryer since the heat could make them shrink or change shape.

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Baking Soda + Vinegar

1
Remove the shoelaces and soak them in cold soapy water. Leave them in soapy water for 30-60 minutes. Then scrub them by hand and rinse them with cold water to remove the soap. Leave them on a towel or dry surface overnight to let them dry out.^{[1]
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- White shoelaces may not turn fully white again after cleaning.
- Replace your white laces with new ones if you want your laces looking perfectly white.
2
Rinse your converse under cold running water. Let them get fully soaked until they’re heavy and dripping wet. Then place them on a dry towel to let the excess water drip out.
- Avoid using hot or warm water, since this causes stains or fabric dyes to run and damage the rest of the shoe.
- If you prefer, you can dunk your converse in cold water and let them soak for 10-15 minutes. Then set them aside on a dry towel.
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3
Combine baking soda and white vinegar in a glass or plastic bowl. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of baking soda to the bowl. Then slowly add 1½ cups (360 mL) of vinegar, stirring gently with a plastic or wooden spoon. Once all the vinegar is added, keep stirring until there are no more lumps. The mixture will have a watery, sandy consistency. ^{[2]
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- Pour the vinegar very slowly to prevent the mixture from bubbling up and overflowing.
- White vinegar works best. Avoid red or yellow vinegar since it might stain your fabrics.
- Avoid using metal bowls or spoons since the metal can react with the vinegar.
4
Use a new toothbrush to scrub the vinegar mixture onto your converse. Begin with the top part of the shoe (everything but the soles). Dip the toothbrush into the vinegar mixture, then scrub the top part thoroughly. Once you’ve scrubbed all of it, scrub the sides and bottoms of the rubber soles.^{[3]
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- Keep adding more vinegar mixture onto the brush as you go.
- Scrub extra hard on stains and dirtier spots on your converse. Then let the mixture sit on the stain as you move on to the next area.
5
Rinse your converse with cold water to remove the vinegar mixture. If you still see stains or dirty spots, scrub the shoes with the vinegar mixture again. Make more of the vinegar mixture if you run out.
- If you find a stain that won’t come out, scrub it with the vinegar mixture and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Then wash it with cold water and scrub it again. You may need to scrub it several times to get the stain out.
- Once both shoes are clean, rinse them with cold water and set them aside on a dry towel.
6
Wash your converse in a washing machine using cold water. Add a small amount of detergent, then run a normal wash cycle. Wrap your shoes in a towel and place them in a garment bag to prevent them from banging around violently inside the washer.^{[4]
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- Avoiding using bleach or whitening agents, since these can ruin your converse.
- If you don’t have a washing machine, clean your shoes by hand with cold water and detergent.
7
Let your converse air dry for 24 hours at room temperature. Stuff them with paper to help them keep their shape as they dry.^{[5]
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- Don’t put your shoes in a dryer. This could shrink them or cause them to lose their shape.

Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

Baking Soda + Hydrogen Peroxide

1
Remove the shoelaces and soak them in cold soapy water. Leave them in the water for 30-60 minutes, then scrub and rinse them with cold water to remove the soap. Leave them on a towel or dry surface overnight^{[6]
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- White shoelaces may not turn fully white again after cleaning. Replace them with new ones if you want your laces looking perfectly white.
2
Mix 1 cup (240 mL) hydrogen peroxide & ½ cup (120 mL) baking soda. First add the baking soda to a plastic bowl, then slowly add the hydrogen peroxide so that the mixture doesn’t fizz too much and overflow. Once all the hydrogen peroxide is added, stir the mixture with a plastic spoon until there are no lumps.^{[7]
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3
Use a fabric handcloth to spread the mixture onto your converse. Then scrub the mixture into your converse with a toothbrush, scrubbing extra hard where there are any stains or discoloring. Clean the top of the shoe first, then scrub the sides and bottom of the rubber soles. Then set your converse aside for 30 minutes.^{[8]
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4
Wash your converse off with cold water. Wash them thoroughly until all of the hydrogen peroxide/baking soda mixture is gone. Then set your converse aside on a towel or dry surface.
- If your converse aren’t totally clean, try washing them again. You can also spot-clean them with a magic eraser or bleach pen to remove any stubborn stains.
5
Let your converse air dry overnight at room temperature. Stuff them with paper to help them maintain their shape as they dry.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

Acetone, a.k.a. Nail Polish Remover

1
Remove the laces and soak them in cold soapy water. Leave them soaking for 30-60 minutes, then scrub them and rinse them again with cold water. Set them aside on a dry towel overnight.^{[10]
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- Your white laces may not look new, even after you clean them. Buy new laces if you prefer them to be perfectly white.
2
Take a washcloth and soak the tip in acetone. Do this by pressing the cloth against the open bottle and briefly tipping the bottle over to let a small amount of acetone soak the cloth. You can also pour a small amount of acetone into a plastic bowl and dip the cloth to soak it.^{[11]
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- Wear gloves when working with acetone, especially if you are wearing nail polish.
3
Scrub your converse with the acetone-soaked washcloth. Clean the top of the shoe first, scrubbing harder on stains or areas that are badly discolored. Then scrub the sides and bottom of the rubber soles. Add more acetone to the washcloth as you go.^{[12]
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4
Wash your converse in cold soapy water. Hand wash them or run them in a laundry machine with cold water and a small amount of detergent. Then set them out to dry.^{[13]
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- If your converse aren’t totally clean, try washing them one more time. You can also spot-clean them with a magic eraser or bleach pen to remove any stubborn stains.
5
Let your converse air dry for 24 hours at room temperature. Stuff them with paper to help them keep their shape as they dry.^{[14]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

Magic Eraser Sponge

1
Remove the laces and soak them in cold soapy water. Leave them soaking for 30-60 minutes, then scrub them and rinse them again with cold water. Set them aside on a dry towel overnight.^{[15]
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- Your white laces may not look new, even after you clean them. Buy new laces if you prefer them to be perfectly white.
2
Soak your converse in cold water. Rinse them under a running faucet or dunk them into a large bucket of water. The moisture will make the magic eraser more effective.^{[16]
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- You could moisten the magic eraser instead of the shoe, but making the shoe damp ensures that there will be enough moisture throughout the entire cleaning process.^{[17]
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3
Scrub your converse with a Magic Eraser Sponge. Begin by scrubbing the top of the shoe from toe to heel, spending more time on spots with visible stains. Then move on to the sides and bottom of the rubber soles. As the sponge gets dirty, turn it over and use a cleaner side. You can also swap the sponge with a new one if it gets completely covered in dirt.^{[18]
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- Magic erasers are especially good for removing scuff marks from the rubber toe parts of the shoe.
- Magic erasers do not use any harsh chemicals, making them especially good options if you have pets or young kids, or if you otherwise prefer to keep chemicals out of your home.
- This eraser contains a melamine polymer.^{[19]
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  Research source} It feels flexible and somewhat soft to the touch, but this polymer is an effective abrasive foam. When you use the eraser, you literally scrape the dirt away with physical force.
4
Let your converse air dry for 24 hours at room temperature. Stuff them with paper to help them keep their shape as they dry.^{[20]
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- Avoid using a dryer. Machine-drying white Converse will cause them to shrink or lose their shape.

Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

Toothpaste

1
Remove the laces and place them in cold soapy water. Soak them for 30-60 minutes, then scrub and rinse them again with cold water. Set them aside on a dry towel overnight.^{[21]
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- Your white laces may not look new, even after you clean them. Buy new laces if you prefer them to be perfectly white.
2
Add a palm-size glob of toothpaste to a small bowl. Then add 1 cup (240 mL) of baking soda, ¼ cup (60 mL) of shampoo, and 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Stir thoroughly until there are no lumps in the mixture.^{[22]
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- Any liquid shampoo will work. Choose a scent you like, or use whatever you have available.
3
Use a toothbrush to scrub the mixture onto your converse. Start with the top of the shoe, scrubbing extra hard on stains or particularly dirty spots. Then scrub the rubber soles. When you’re finished, rinse your converse in cold water to remove the toothpaste mixture. ^{[23]
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- Use a brush with firm bristles if you have one. These let you scrub extra hard, which helps remove stains and dirt.
4
Use a toothbrush to scrub your converse again with shampoo. Scrub harder on any stubborn stains that didn’t get removed by the toothpaste mixture. Make sure to scrub the soles to remove scuff marks too.^{[24]
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- When finished, rinse your shoes again in cold water.
5
Use acetone or nail polish remover to spot-clean the rubber soles. Pour a small amount of acetone on a washcloth or cotton ball. Rub the acetone onto the soles. This helps get rid of stubborn stains and anything stuck to the rubber.^{[25]
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- Use gloves when cleaning with acetone, especially if you’re wearing nail polish. Acetone will remove most nail polish and can irritate your skin.
6
Let your converse air dry overnight at room temperature. Stuff them with paper to help them maintain their shape as they dry.^{[26]
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- Avoid using a dryer. Machine-drying white Converse will cause them to shrink or change shape.

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

Dish Soap

1
Remove the laces and place them in cold soapy water. Soak them for 30-60 minutes, then scrub and rinse them again. Set them aside on a dry towel overnight.^{[27]
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- Your white laces may not look perfectly white, even after you clean them. Buy new laces if you want them looking fresh.
2
Rinse your converse with cold water and drizzle them with dish soap. Use a kitchen brush to scrub them, spreading the foamy soap as you go along. Scrub the whole shoe, including the rubber soles. Then rinse your shoes with cold water to remove the soap.^{[28]
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- Make sure to scrub harder on any stains or dirtier spots.
- If the stains won’t come out the first time, rinse your shoes with cold water and scrub them again with plenty of dish soap. Repeat as many times as needed.
- If stains still won’t come out, try an additional cleaning method, like acetone or baking soda + white vinegar.
3
Hang dry your converse overnight at room temperature. Stuff them with paper to help them keep their shape as they dry.^{[29]
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- Don’t throw your converse in a dryer. Machine-drying will cause them to shrink or change shape.

Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

Tips for Keeping Your White Converse Clean

1
Only wear them inside, or in clean public places with good weather. Avoid wearing them on rainy or snowy days. Never walk on mud or dirt while wearing them, if you can help it, and never walk through puddles with them.^{[30]
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- If possible, take a change of shoes with you when go out in white converse. That way you can swap them out as if you get caught in the rain.
2
Run your converse through the wash every few weeks. Use cold water and regular detergent, with no bleach. Place them in a delicates bag and run them with towels or other soft items to prevent them from banging around during the spin cycle. Then hang them up to air dry overnight.
- Never throw your converse in a dryer. Machine-drying will cause them to shrink or change shape.^{[31]
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- Always remove the laces and wash them separately.
3
Spot-clean them regularly with a bleach pen or Magic Eraser. Spot-clean any stains as soon as possible. Use a brush to scrub off any stubborn scuff marks on the rubber soles.
- Rinse your converse with cold water to remove the bleach, then let them air dry overnight.
4
Never wash your converse with bleach. Bleach can sometimes turn white fabric yellow, which is irreversible.^{[32]
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Research source} It can also discolor other parts of the shoe, such as logos or the thin stripes that some converse have between the fabric and the sides of the soles.
- Use a bleach pen to spot-clean stains and small areas of your converse. This is less intense than a bleach wash.
5
Apply sneaker protector spray to keep your converse waterproof. Follow the directions on the spray bottle to keep your converse clean and waterproof for as long as possible. This will prevent your converse from getting moldy and smelly. It’ll also repel dirt and stains.^{[33]
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- Depending on the brand of sneaker protector, you may need to apply a new layer of protectant every few days or so.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you clean Converse with detergent?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Dip a clean towel in some lukewarm water and a little bit of mild detergent. Then, take the towel and blot any dirty areas throughout the shoe.
Question

Do I have to use a washer to rinse my shoes?

Community Answer

No, and it would be better if you washed them by hand, as washing them in the washer and dryer can be hard on the shoes, especially if done often.
Question

Will putting the shoes in water and the dryer ruin them?

Community Answer

Converse shoes can be washed with water as outlined in this article. However, let them air dry as the heat from the dryer can melt the glue and cause the shoes to fall apart and can change the shape of the shoes. If you must use the dryer, pack the shoes with tissue paper to keep their shape, place inside a pillow case and tie around the shoes tightly, then use the lowest setting on the dryer. If you cannot change the setting on the dryer, don't use it at all. However, as noted in the article, use of the dryer is not recommended at all.