- Make a homemade cleaning solution of mild laundry detergent and warm water. Soak a washcloth in the solution and use circular motions to scrub out light stains.
- Use a magic eraser to buff out scuffs on the rubber parts of the shoe, focusing on the soles and toe box.
- Wash your shoes in the laundry machine after removing the laces and inserts. Place them in a washable bag, and use cool water on the gentle cycle.
- After cleaning your shoes, stuff them with newspaper and let them air dry overnight at room temperature.
Removing Light Stains
Make a cleaning solution with mild laundry detergent and warm water. To remove light stains, pour 2 cups (470 mL) of warm water in a bowl and gently stir in 0.25 cups (59 mL) of mild laundry detergent. If your shoes are covered in mud, you might need a second batch of solution to clean both shoes. Instead of laundry detergent, you can also use dish soap, shampoo, body wash, or window cleaner.
Fill a separate bowl with clean, warm water. This will be your "rinse" bowl that you'll use to rinse off your washcloth after applying the cleaning solution.
Dip a washcloth in the soap solution and start cleaning your shoes. Use small, circular motions to scrub away any dirt or stains, and work the soap into the canvas so it saturates all the way through. Periodically rinse the cloth in the clean water, then dip it in the cleaning solution and keep going. If necessary, remove the shoelaces and scrub them with the washcloth, too. You can also use this method to clean the inside of the shoes. If you only have a small stain, use a toothbrush to spot-clean your shoes: dip a clean toothbrush in the solution and scrub the stain in circular motions.
Scrub the soles and toe box with a toothbrush. For the rubber parts of your shoe, use an old toothbrush to remove ground-in dirt and grit. If the rubber parts aren’t super scuffed, you can also clean them with wet wipes.
Wipe your shoes with a damp microfiber cloth. Use it to remove any dirt or soap residue that’s still on your shoes after scrubbing them, and check for stains and scuffs—if they remain, repeat the process until you’re satisfied. If deep stains and scuffs remain after repeating this process twice, try another method to give your shoes a deeper clean.
Let your shoes air dry overnight at room temperature. Stuff them with newspaper to help them keep their shape, and leave them in a room with good air circulation so they dry as quickly as possible. Let the laces dry separately, and relace your shoes when they're completely dry. You can also put your shoes outside to speed up the drying process, but proceed with caution if your shoes are colored—the sun might bleach them a few shades lighter.
Removing Tough Stains and Scuffs
Use a magic eraser to remove grass, food, and oil stains. Wet the eraser and squeeze out any excess water. Use the textured side to buff out scuffs on the soles and toe box, and use the smooth side to blot stains out of the canvas.
Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for a natural cleaning solution. Mix 6 tablespoons (89 mL) of baking soda, 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, and 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of warm water. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the paste onto the stained area, then leave it to dry for 30 minutes. Rinse the paste off with a damp microfiber cloth, and repeat until your shoes are sparkling. If you have colored Converse, spot test the paste on the underside of the tongue before using it on the rest of your shoes.
Use rubbing alcohol to remove ink stains and small scuffs. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe it over the problem area of the shoe. Continue rubbing the spot until the stain or scuff is removed, and replace the cotton swab as you go (if it gets dirty). Rubbing alcohol can harden the rubber parts of your shoes and make them wear out more quickly—only use it if previous methods don’t work well. If you’re trying to remove nail polish stains, use acetone to freshen up your Converse. You can also use toothpaste to remove scuff marks on the soles.
Spot-clean small stains with a stain remover pen. If your sneakers have food and drink stains, use a stain remover pen like Tide to Go. Blot the stain with a clean paper towel, then apply the product directly on the problem area. Let it sit for 5 minutes to fully absorb, and dab the remaining liquid with a damp cloth. Most stain remover pens don’t include bleach, so you can use them on any colored Converse.
Use bleach to remove stubborn stains from white Converse. Wearing gloves, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of bleach with 5 tablespoons (74 mL) of water, and use a clean toothbrush to scrub the solution onto the stained area. Rinse the area with clean water, and repeat the process until the stain is gone. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated room, and wear old clothes you don't mind getting splattered with a little bleach.
Using the Washing Machine
Remove the shoe laces and inserts from your shoes. This allows water to reach every crevice in your shoe. If your laces have caked on dirt or grime, gently brush them with an old toothbrush.
Pretreat your shoes with a stain remover. If your shoes have any set-in stains, apply the remover directly on the problem area, and let it sit for the recommended amount of time before washing your shoes. If you have colored Converse, test the stain remover on the inside of the tongue to make sure it doesn’t lighten your shoes. To avoid clogging your washer, clap your shoes together to get rid of large chunks of dirt, and use an old toothbrush to scrub away excess debris.
Place your shoes, laces and inserts in a washable bag. Tie the bag securely, and place it into your washing machine. If you’re using a front-loading washer, pad out the drum with towels to protect your shoes during the wash cycle. If you don’t have a delicates or washable bag, use a pillowcase tied at the top.
Wash your shoes with cool water on the gentle cycle. Pour in the same amount of detergent that you normally use for a small load of laundry. Turn the load dial to “Small,” and choose the cool water setting to maintain the color of your shoes. Put the spin mode to “Gentle,” then double-check your settings before starting the wash cycle. If your shoes are extremely dirty, you can use warm water to lift the stains from your shoes, but never choose hot water—it can loosen the glue that holds your shoes together, causing them to fall apart faster. Don't wash your shoes with other articles of clothing; your shoes could damage the fabric, especially if it is delicate.
Let your shoes air dry overnight at room temperature. Stuff them with newspaper or another stiff material and let them dry in a spot with good air circulation. When they’re fully dry, put the inserts and laces back in. Never dry your shoes in the dryer, even using low heat—it can damage the glue in your shoes and cause them to fall apart.
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