How to Wash Converse Sneakers

Here are three ways to keep your Chuck Taylors spotless.

By
Leslie Corona
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Leslie Corona
Leslie Corona is the Senior Home Editor at REAL SIMPLE magazine. She has been styling, organizing, writing, and reporting on all things in the home space for a decade. She was previously at Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, and Parents. She has shared her expertise on the TODAY show, Cheddar, and local television news outlets.
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Updated on April 12, 2024
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  • Working Time: 20 minutes
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Do you need to know how to clean white Converse sneakers—or any color Converse for that matter? Chances are you've dirtied a pair of these Chuck Taylor All Star shoes at some point—especially since the company has been making them for decades. They're a classic, casual sneaker that goes with just about everything from jeans and T-shirts to dresses.

Sure, your Chucks never seem to go out of style—especially the white ones. But, like any comfy shoes, we know that with regular wear they can start to look dull and dingy. The good news: There are three surprisingly simple ways to get them looking (almost) new.

Before You Get Started

Begin by removing the shoelaces. You can clean shoelaces separately by soaking them for 20 minutes in warm water with a squirt of dish soap. And if your Converse are muddy, allow them to dry before cleaning. It will be easier to remove the dirt if it's dry. When washing your Converse with soap and water, plan for at least 12 hours to let them air dry completely before wear.

When cleaning any product for the first time, test a small part of it before you clean the whole thing, just in case the cleaner or method doesn't work and stains the material. Converse suggests testing your cleaning method on a section of the sneaker that isn't visible (like the sides of the tongue that are hidden inside the shoe). Because some kinds of toothpaste may contain ingredients that can stain shoes, test your chosen toothpaste first.

What You'll Need

Materials

Soap and water

  • Hand soap
  • Water
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Toothbrush (optional)
  • Baking soda (optional)

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

  • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
  • Clean, dry cloth

Toothpaste

  • White toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Clean cloth

Instructions

How to Wash Converse Sneakers With Soap and Water

  1. Rub With Microfiber Cloth, Soap, and Water

    • Add a few squirts of mild hand soap to a bowl of lukewarm water.
    • Dampen a microfiber cloth in the soapy water and rub the shoes—don't be too rough on the material.
    • Use a toothbrush or smaller brush to scrub the toecap and rubber base of the shoe.

  2. Use Baking Soda As Needed

    • For white Converse, add a bit of baking soda in addition to your mild soap and lukewarm water.
    • Wash the entire shoe as directed above, then dip a wet toothbrush into baking soda.
    • Scrub away at stains with the toothbrush, wipe clean, and repeat until desired results are obtained.

  3. Let Dry Thoroughly

    • Stuff the shoes with paper to reshape and leave them out to air dry, out of direct sunlight.
    • Change the filler throughout the process if the paper gets damp.

    Don't try to speed up the process by putting Converse in the dryer or using a hair dryer as this can shrink the shoe.

How to Wash Converse Sneakers With Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

  1. Wet the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

    Hold the Magic Eraser under the faucet to wet it, then squeeze out the excess water. For cleaning sneakers, Mr. Clean recommends Magic Eraser Extra Durable ($13, amazon).

  2. Scrub Sneakers

    Scrub the exterior of the shoes with the Magic Eraser, concentrating on scuff marks and stuck-on dirt. Wipe the sole, eyelets, toe box, and wedge.

  3. Dry

    Wipe the sneakers with a dry cloth, fill with paper to shape them, and air-dry them.

How to Wash Converse Sneakers With Toothpaste

  1. Test a Small Spot

    • Apply a dab of white toothpaste (not the gel variety) to an inconspicuous spot on one of your sneakers.
    • Wait 15-20 minutes and then wipe the dab away with a damp cloth.
    • If the toothpaste didn't stain the shoe, use it and move on to the next step.

  2. Squeeze Toothpaste Onto Toothbrush

    Apply slightly less than the amount of toothpaste you'd use to brush your teeth to a clean toothbrush. If you are cleaning very dirty, canvas sneakers, use a wire brush.

  3. Scrub the Outside of Your Sneakers

    Use lighter pressure for white canvas shoes and more intense pressure for dark-colored or very dirty shoes.

  4. Let Sit and Wipe With a Cloth

    Allow the toothpaste to soak in for several minutes, which will loosen any remaining dirt. Then, thoroughly wipe the toothpaste off with a wet cloth.

  5. Dry

    Wipe the shoes down with a dry cloth, applying pressure with the cloth to completely absorb the excess water on the shoes. Alternatively, you can air-dry the sneakers outside, but out of direct sunlight.

How Often to Wash Converse

To keep your Converse looking like new, you should wash them every few weeks. Wipe away any mud and dirt with a clean cloth, and spot-clean your shoes to avoid any set-in stains.

How to Keep Converse Clean Longer

You can maintain the appearance of new Converse by using a sneaker protector to keep them clean as long as possible. This also makes it easier to remove marks and scuffs later on. Be mindful of the weather and don't wear your Converse when it is raining or there is a chance of poor weather. When you're not wearing your Converse, store them in an area where they won't get dirty or misshapen.

Removing Stains from Converse

Some stains are easier to remove than others, especially if your Converse are white. While soap and water should do the trick at removing grass, mud, and dirt stains, pretreating said stains with a laundry pre-treatment product can make them easier to remove. If stains persist, you can try a small amount of vinegar on a clean cloth.

To remove grass stains from Converse, You can also try a small amount of vinegar on a clean cloth to remove stubborn stains.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I wash my Converse shoes in the washing machine?

    Yes, you can wash Converse in the washing machine, however, doing so can damage your shoes. Using a washing machine isn't necessary as Converse sneakers are easy to clean without one. If you use the soap and water method, then water, soap, a microfiber towel, and an optional toothbrush will be enough to clean your Chucks to near-new status.

  • Can I soak my Converse in water?

    No, you should not soak your Converse in water. If the water is too hot, the shoe's color may run, and the canvas may shrink. The shoe's insoles may soak up too much water, making them harder to dry completely, and leaving you with a bad smell. You don't need a lot of water or soap to get the job done. A damp towel will work just fine.

  • Can I use dish soap to clean my Converse?

    Any mild soap will work to clean your Converse, including dish soap, as long as it doesn't contain bleach or other harsh cleaning additives. Bleach can not only cause skin irritation, but it can cause the color of your shoes to fade and run.

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