Converse shoes are comfortable and trendy making it an ideal choice for everyday wear and increasingly even for formal settings. They come in various designs and materials such as fabric, leather, and suede. How to clean converse shoes? While this article gives you multiple options to choose from, it also important for you to understand how each of them can be kept well maintained and clean.
Since Converse shoes tend to get dirty, this article is your guide to understand how to keep them clean and tidy.
What do you need?
Before you begin the cleaning process, keep some of the materials in hand that you can find at the comfort your home.
They are listed below:
- An old toothbrush
- Bows or containers to soak your shoes
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Toothpaste
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Paper (this is to maintain the shape of the shoe while it dries)
- Water
- An old cloth
- A spray bottle
- Soap
- Latex gloves
Preparation Stage
Firstly, find a suitable space to clean your shoes. It can get a little messy so assemble the materials that were listed above in your chosen space.
This will help you to avoid going around the house searching for everything frantically.
As your first step, begin by removing the laces and the insole of your shoes. Following which, dry brush every inch of your shoes to remove dirt and grime.
How to Clean your Classic Fabric Converse Shoes?
The classic converse is an excellent choice because it comes in a range of colors and styles. Ironically, everyone’s favorite color is white, which gets dirty as soon as you walk outside your house. So, the question is how to keep it looking new and clean?
Firstly, remove the laces and the insoles from your shoes. Soak them in water with a little vinegar or bleach to remove dirt and grime.
Now, in a large container of cold water, add one-part baking soda and two parts white vinegar. Soak your shoes in this mixture for a couple of hours to remove stains.
Brush the shoes with a toothbrush for a few minutes (you can also use mild soap and toothpaste for the sole here).
You can repeat the soaking process as many times as you need until you feel satisfied with the result.
If the stain is severe, you can add one tablespoon of baking soda, half a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a cup of warm water. Brush your shoes wearing latex gloves or allow the shoes to soak in the mixture for half an hour and rinse it with cold water.
Let the shoes dry naturally in the shade. Put some paper inside them to help them absorb water and to maintain the shape of the shoes.
Precaution: Test the cleaning process on an area of the shoe that is not visible such as the outer edges. This is in case the soap affects the material or its color. Some soaps are reliable for this material, so we recommend a mild detergent.
How to Clean Leather or Suede Converse?
If you chose to invest in leather or suede converse shoes then one of the prime reason would have been because its stylish and elegant.
Hence, the last thing you would have wanted is to allow it to collect dirt and look shabby.
Leather is a durable material however it is also delicate. It can easily fill with dust and if they get wet, the material starts to wear off.
To clean your converse shoes, get the shoes dry cleaned without using a washing machine or dryer.
Alternatively, if you would like to clean it yourself without a dry cleaner, then you can follow the steps listed below:
- Remove the laces and insoles top open your shoes to the maximum extent
- With a cloth clean the dust from your shoes
- In a bowl of warm water, add two parts vinegar and one cup baking soda
- Immerse an old toothbrush in this mixture and start rubbing your shoes’ surface
- Allow your shoes to dry
If the stain is stubborn, then do the following:
- You need a strong solution for this process. In a cup of warm water, put a tablespoon of baking soda and half tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide.
- Immerse the toothbrush in the solution and rub your shoes with it
- Allow your shoes to dry
Recommended: Wear gloves before you use this solution. ( how to clean converse shoes)
Note: Do not allow your shoes to become wet, you only need to use the solution lightly on the shoes. If you accidentally get your shoes wet then don’t worry!
You can put the paper inside the shoes to allow absorption of excess moisture. You can do the same for the insoles.
Additionally, avoid tumble drying your shoes.
Bad odour from your shoes? Use the following tips!
The bad smell in the shoes is not only unpleasant but more common than you think. It happens when the shoes retain moisture, sweat, or gets wet and do not dry properly.
In addition to using talc for your feet, you can use a simple formula listed below to beat bad odour from all types of shoes:
Fill a spray bottle with half a cup of white vinegar (approximately 4 ounces) and spray the insides of your shoes
Did you know? ( how to clean converse shoes)
Vinegar not only serves to remove the bad smell but also works as a fungicide. This means that if any bacteria or fungus is growing in your shoes, the vinegar will destroy any chances of them growing further.
- Let the vinegar dry
- Now take some baking soda and apply it inside your shoes
- Let it do its work overnight and the next day shake off the excess baking soda from your shoes
This sounds simple, right? Take it as a weekend project and with our techniques and tips, you can have clean and shiny shoes from the comfort of your home.
