How to Clean White Converse and Preventing Any Yellowing

Since the dawn of age, people have been subscribing to the idea of wearing converse sneakers for their feet. Okay, I might have exaggerated a bit there, but you get the idea! Converse sneakers tend to have similar models, with the design and painting being their main highlights. If you have unique converse sneakers, especially the ones with a white base, you would want to know some tricks to keep them clean and fresh. And here, I’ll share my experience with you on how to clean white converse effectively!

Most converse sneakers are made from leather material, which makes them a little bit trickier to clean. And for the white ones, I’m pretty sure that they will be even more prone to dirt and scuffs. They will need a lot of maintenance. However, it doesn’t mean that they are very much harder to clean than regular shoes!

If you follow my secrets to cleaning, your white converse will stay pure and fresh! You can even prevent the dreaded yellowing from happening!

Why are Converse Sneakers so Popular?

Ever since its introduction, Converse sneakers have always been one of the main talking points among shoe lovers and collectors. There are a lot of reasons why they are (and remain to be) popular. In my opinion, one of the main reasons is its traditional and classic look. Their model is simple yet aesthetic at the same time, making it a fan favorite!

Converse sneakers are also versatile and awesome. You can practically use them for any occasion, such as sports, casual outings, or even daily chores! Did I also mention that Converse sneakers are highly durable?

What are the Different Types of Converse Sneakers?

Truth be told, there aren’t any official categorizations for Converse sneakers. But I usually divide them into three types based on their unique characteristics.

• Chuck Taylor: A series of Converse sneakers that were initially made to be used as basketball shoes. To date, this series is still going strong.
• High Top: High Converse sneakers that normally cover the higher part of your feet compared to low sneakers.
• All-Star: Another series of Converse sneakers that are often compared to the Chuck 70. Generally, they’re cheaper and more durable. However, the design is as awesome as the Chuck Taylor series.

Cleaning Your White Converse Sneakers

After learning some bits about Converse sneakers, let’s head onto the main headline of our article: a detailed walkthrough to clean your white Converse. As I’ve said before, cleaning white sneakers might be a little bit more challenging, as you need to do it without a washing machine because it’s easier to spot stains or dirt on them.

Therefore, I strongly recommend that you follow my methods below closely!

White Converse Sneakers Cleaning Kit

• ShoeCleaner: A special shoe detergent needed to clean your favorite and precious sneakers.
• Apron: Not an obligatory item, but trust me! It will come in handy when we’re talking about keeping your shirt clean while washing your sneakers.
• Premium Brush: Useful for cleaning the upper part of your Converse sneaker. It is ideal for sneakers shoes that incorporate canvas, suede, leather, synthetic leather, mesh, knit, nubuck, and many more.
• Medium Brush: Used to clean your sneaker’s midsole section.
• Standard Brush: Used to clean your sneaker’s outsole section.
• Small Brush or Toothbrush: This type of brush will come in handy when it comes to cleaning the inner part of your sneakers that is usually hard to reach.
• Microfiber Cloth: Used to wipe sneakers clean of dirt and stains.
• Shoe Tree: Essential item to keep your sneaker’s basic structure intact.
• Container/Pan: used to store water that will be mixed with Shoe Perfume in order to generate a certain odor for your shoes.

White Sneakers Anatomy and How to Use the Cleaning Kits

• The Upper Part of the Sneakers: As the name states, it’s the upper part of your shoe model. I recommend that you use two different brushes to clean this part. Premium Brush will be suitable to prevent damage to the upper part of your sneakers, while a small brush will come in handy when you’re trying to wipe additional stains that are small.
• Midsole: The sole side section of a sneaker. To clean the midsole, I suggest you use Medium Brush, as midsoles can often get damaged and dirty due to usage.
• The outsole, or the lower part of a sneaker: To clean a sneaker’s outsole, you can use a standard brush that is strong and sturdy. This way, dirt and stains from your outsole might be cleaned easily.
• Insole: The inner part of your shoes that also acts as a cushion to make your foot more comfortable. Based on my experience, it is better to remove the insoles from your sneakers before cleaning them. However, don’t force it if it’s not possible. To clean the insole, you can use a premium brush as well as a toothbrush, as they can reach parts that are harder to clean.

The Cleaning Process of White Converse Sneakers

• Prepare your white Converse sneakers: A pair of white converse sneakers in a dirty condition

• Prepare the necessary tools needed to clean your white Converse: Prepare the Shoecleaner, apron, Premium Brush, Medium Brush, Standard Brush, Small Brush, Microfiber Cloth, two pieces of Shoe Tree, and a container to store water, and ShoePerfume.

• Remove the laces from your white Converse: I highly recommend that you remove the lace from your shoe. After you manage to separate them, you can soak the laces in water that has been mixed with Shoe Cleaner. After waiting for some time, clean it and squeeze it a bit to remove the water. Finally, you can dry it off with a microfiber cloth.

• Insert the Shoetree in your white Converse: This is an essential step, as a Shoetree will be important to maintain the shape of your Converse when you handwash it. However, make sure to remove the insole before inserting a Shoetree.

• Dry-clean the white Converse: Before washing the sneakers with water, we need to brush the upper part and midsole with a premium brush to wipe off debris and dirt that is often found on the shoes.

• Wash the Outsole and Midsole: During this cleaning stage, you can use a Standard Brush. Make sure to use all your strength when cleaning the outsole, as it’s naturally the dirtiest part of a shoe. As soon as you have finished cleaning the outsole, you can proceed by cleaning the midsole with a Medium Brush. This time, patience and diligence are needed, as there will be a lot of dirty spots that are hard to clean.

• Wash the Upper part of your White Converse: I highly suggest that you use a Premium Brush to wash the upper part of your shoes to prevent any damage. You really need to do this carefully, or else some material will break or peel off, especially if you brush it with brute force! 
• After using the Premium Brush, switch to a microfiber cloth. In my opinion, this product is super handy; all you need is to gently tap the part that needs to be cleaned. If you still see some dirty spots, then make sure to retry this step again until your Converse is white again.

• Wash the Inner Part of Your White Converse: Use a small brush to clean the inner part of your Converse sneakers that is hard to reach, then wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Again, you may use the Premium Brush to accomplish the same feat, but make sure not to force it too much if you can’t reach a certain part of the sneaker.

• Detailing: For this step, you need to get your microfiber cloth or use a wet tissue to clean and freshen up your white Converse details that are dirty. However, I do recommend the use of a microfiber cloth rather than a wet tissue, as it’s able to absorb water and dirt better.
• If you’re adamant about using a wet tissue, you can try another trick. Instead of wiping it across the shoe, you may try to cover the dirty part for some time. The dirt will get absorbed overtimes. See if it works on your white Converse!

• Drying Process: Leave your white Converse in front of a fan and wait for about 1-2 hours. Whatever you do, don’t place your white sneakers under direct contact with the sunlight.

• Finishing: After the shoes are all dried up, make sure that their color stays (or returns to) white. If nothing goes wrong, you can then remove the Shoe Tree and place the laces again. Now, your fabulous white Converse sneakers are all set again!

Do & Don’ts

– Do’s

Be careful when trying to wipe the stains off your shoes, like dirt or yellow stains.

Use your feelings (like a Jedi does!) when wiping or brushing your shoes. After all, you wouldn’t want to damage it, right?

Make sure that the brush you’re using is all clean. This is essential, especially when cleaning white Converse sneakers.

– Don’ts

Don’t let your Converse sneakers get moist after you clean them. Make sure to dry it immediately.

I do not recommend a laundry machine to clean white sneakers! You really need to take note of this, especially if you have white Converse sneakers that incorporate synthetic leather. If you use a laundry machine, it might leave some scratches on your shoes!

Don’t dry your shoes under direct contact with the sunlight. Based on my past experience, exposure to sunlight can make the paint on your shoes fade off. White sneakers can also become brown when left under the sunlight.

Best Alternative Ways to Clean Your White Sneakers

When reading through our detailed steps to clean your white Converse above, you might be wondering if there are other alternatives to get stains out of your shoes. Rest well, peeps, as there are tons of ways that you can do it! Just read some of these tips for consideration:

• Hydrogen peroxide: To use this method, you’ll need some other material in the form of baking soda and water. After mixing them with hydrogen peroxide, you can scrub the mixture across the sneakers’ surface with a toothbrush. Then, wait for three to four hours, just long enough until the paste becomes dry, so you can crack it off!
• Toothpaste: This method needs to be done repeatedly. All you need is to put some toothpaste on an old toothbrush that you don’t use anymore. After brushing it across the dirty part, wait for 10-15 minutes before wiping the paste. Repeat all the steps until the dirt is gone completely.
• Bleach: Using bleach is a good idea to make your Converse white again. However, you should only use a small amount of bleach and mix it with lots of water. After creating the mixture, rub it across the shoes by using a toothbrush.
• Detergent: Detergent is a great alternative to bleach. All you need is to create a mixture of detergent and water. Then, use a toothbrush to clean your shoes!
• Acetone: Acetone is a great material that can help clean light-colored shoes. To do this, you’re going to be needing a piece of clothing. After soaking the cloth with acetone, you can wipe the shoes across the stains located on the surface.
• Magic Eraser: Magic Erasers are effective in cleaning sneakers with really dirty marks or stains. All you need to do is simply wipe the dirty area with this item!

How to Clean White Converse Sneakers According to Expert Recommendation

Most experts would have agreed with my method above, so let’s just run through it again quickly. After removing the laces and insole from your sneakers, you can start to clean your white Converse by using your own cleaning mixture with a soft brush or cloth. After you have finished, you can put all the necessary parts back and dry them off. As I’ve mentioned before, put it away from the sunlight and let the wind dry the moisture!

How to prevent Yellowing on Your White Converse

As a longtime sneaker lover and collector, I know the frustration of seeing my favorite pair of white Converse sneakers gradually turn yellow over time. It’s a common problem for those of us who wear our sneakers regularly, but thankfully, there are some simple steps we can take to prevent yellowing and keep our Converse looking fresh and clean.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand why white Converse sneakers turn yellow in the first place. The main culprit is exposure to sunlight, which can cause the rubber soles and toe caps to oxidize and turn yellow. Other factors, such as exposure to dirt and dust, can also contribute to discoloration over time.

So, what can you do to prevent yellowing and keep your white Converse looking its best? Here are some tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years:

Store your sneakers in a cool, dark place

When you’re not wearing your Converse, it’s important to store them in a place that is not exposed to sunlight. A closet or shoe rack in a cool, dark room is the best option. This will help prevent oxidation and yellowing over time.

Clean your sneakers regularly

One of the best ways to prevent yellowing is to keep your Converse clean. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away dirt and stains, and avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach. Follow the methods that I’ve explained above!

Avoid wearing your sneakers on rainy days.

Water and moisture can also contribute to yellowing over time, so it’s best to avoid wearing your Converse on rainy days or in wet conditions. If you do get caught in the rain, be sure to dry your sneakers thoroughly as soon as possible.

Use a UV protectant spray

If you’re planning to wear your Converse in the sun, consider using a UV protectant spray to help prevent yellowing. This type of spray creates a barrier between the rubber and the sun’s harmful rays, helping to prevent oxidation and discoloration.

Toothpaste!

Yes, as I’ve mentioned before, toothpaste is a good alternative ingredient to clean your white Converse. It’s also good to prevent yellowing. The toothpaste helps remove any dirt or stains that may contribute to yellowing while also leaving a protective layer on the shoes to help prevent future discoloration.

Lemon Juice (and Baking Soda)

Another method that has worked well for me is using a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. Combine equal parts of both ingredients to create a paste, then apply the paste to the shoes using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then rinse the shoes with water and allow them to air dry. Lemon juice has natural bleaching properties, while baking soda helps to remove any buildup or stains on the shoes.

Conclusion

White Converse is the best kind of converse; prove me wrong! Unfortunately, they do get dirty quite easily. If you do not take care of them properly, a yellow tint may appear, and the soles will get scratched up! Follow my instruction above to clean your white converse safely. Cleaning a white shoe does take a lot more time because you need to do it thoroughly; a slight notch would be visible. Nevertheless, it is well worth it!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to clean white converse fast?

A fast way to clean white Converse shoes is to wipe them using a wet tissue. Make sure to wipe it across the dirty part of your shoes.

How to clean white Converse rubber with baking soda?

To clean white Converse with baking soda, you need to mix baking soda and detergent. However, this method is only effective in cleaning true white sneakers. Don’t ever try to clean off non-white sneakers with this mixture!

How do I clean white Converse that turned yellow?

To clean a white Converse that turned yellow, you may try to use whitening liquid around the midsole. After some time, you’ll find that it will return to white once more.

How do you clean white Converse without turning them yellow?

To clean white Converse without turning them yellow, you need to make sure to use the right Shoe Cleaner and follow the instructions carefully.

Why did my white Converse turn yellow after washing?

The reason why white Converse turns yellow after washing perhaps this scenario appears due to carelessness when wiping your sneakers. Hence, you should redo all the steps from top to bottom once again!

How do I clean Converse sneakers with baking soda and vinegar?

To clean white sneakers with baking soda and vinegar, you can follow these steps:

• Remove the shoelaces from your sneakers.
• Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of water in a small bowl to create a paste.
• Apply the paste to the dirty parts of your sneakers with a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush. Scrub gently in a circular motion.
• Rinse the sneakers with water to remove the baking soda paste.
• Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a bowl or a spray bottle.
• Apply the vinegar solution to the dirty parts of your sneakers using a soft-bristled brush or a cloth.
• Rinse your sneakers with water and allow them to air dry.

This method can effectively remove dirt and stains from your white sneakers, but be careful not to overdo it, as the vinegar solution can potentially damage certain materials.