6 Easy Ways to Clean Your Converses

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Simple cleaning methods to keep your All Stars shining

Written by Marc Sigal | Edited by Bailey Cho

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

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Removing Light Stains

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Removing Tough Stains and Scuffs

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Using the Washing Machine

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Black. White. Pink. Yellow. No matter what color you wear, Converse are classic sneakers that add personality to any outfit. While some scratches add a bit of character to your shoes, there’s nothing worse than a giant stain across the top—especially on a new pair. Luckily, there are a few tricks to remove the most stubborn scrape marks from your sneakers so you can keep them sparkling! From scuffs to food stains, here’s how to spot-clean and deep clean your Converses in just a few easy steps.

This article is based on an interview with our shoe care specialist, Marc Sigal, founder of ButlerBox. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Light Stains

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1
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.^{[1]
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- 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.
This will be your "rinse" bowl that you'll use to rinse off your washcloth after applying the cleaning solution.

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3
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.^{[2]
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- 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.
4
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.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- If the rubber parts aren’t super scuffed, you can also clean them with wet wipes.
5
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.^{[4]
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- If deep stains and scuffs remain after repeating this process twice, try another method to give your shoes a deeper clean.
6
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.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- 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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains and Scuffs

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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.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
2
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.^{[7]
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- If you have colored Converse, spot test the paste on the underside of the tongue before using it on the rest of your shoes.
3
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).^{[8]
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- 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.
4
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.^{[9]
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- Most stain remover pens don’t include bleach, so you can use them on any colored Converse.
5
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.^{[10]
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- Be sure to work in a well-ventilated room, and wear old clothes you don't mind getting splattered with a little bleach.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using the Washing Machine

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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.^{[11]
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2
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.^{[12]
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- 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.
3
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.^{[13]
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- If you don’t have a delicates or washable bag, use a pillowcase tied at the top.
4
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.^{[14]
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Research source} Put the spin mode to “Gentle,” then double-check your settings before starting the wash cycle.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- 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.
5
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.^{[16]
X
Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- 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.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you machine wash converse?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

It's not the preferred method if you're trying to make sure your shoes last as long as possible, but it's not the end of the world if you do wash them. If you do wash them, be sure to use a gentle wash cycle and don't machine-dry your shoes.

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Question

How do you get Chuck Taylors clean?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Remove the shoelaces first, soaking separately if needed. Rinse the Chuck Taylors under cold water to remove any debris and to stop color run, then scrub either with laundry liquid or with a paste made from 3 parts vinegar and 2 parts baking soda, concentrating most on any stains. Rinse everything off; if the shoes seem clean enough, stop here and dry. Or, wash the shoes in the washing machine on a low or gentle wash, if more cleaning is needed. Always air dry Chuck Taylors, to maintain shape and prevent damage to the shoes.

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Question

How do I clean my white Converse?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can use various methods for cleaning white Converse shoes, including using baking soda and vinegar, or a gentle laundry wash, or rubbing with a Magic Eraser for scuff marks. For a full set of instructions for cleaning your white Converse, refer to How to Clean White Converse.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you have white Converse, mix 1 tablespoon of hot water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda together. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the mixture over any dirt and stains.
Always air dry your Converse after washing them. Avoid direct heat sources, like radiators or hair dryers, since high heat can warp the shoes or damage the glue that holds them together.
Strong detergents and bleaches can damage the fabric of your Converse, so stick to mild cleaning solutions to preserve the color and integrity of the material.
If your Converse has a bad odor, sprinkle baking soda on the inside and let it sit overnight. Vacuum or shake out the baking soda the next day.
Soak a cotton bud in nail polish remover, then wipe it over the rubber part of the shoe to remove stains.
Use hand sanitizer on the rubber of your shoes to get rid of scuff marks and dirt.

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Warnings

If you have colored Converse, be sure to test your cleaning product on the underside of the tongue—certain solutions can cause the color to fade or lighten.

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