How to wash Converse in a washing machine and by hand

The Converse brand produces practical and durable textile sneakers, which are very popular among young people. However, like any other shoes, they tend to get dirty.

Since Converse is made of fabric, the question arises about possible ways to wash them.

In this article, we will look at whether and how to wash Converse in a washing machine, and how to wash Converse sneakers by hand.

History of creation

In 1908, Marquis Mills Converse created a company that made casual shoes for the whole family. In 1917, the first black sneakers were produced for basketball players. Chuck Taylor, an American basketball player, brought many ideas to improve the model so that they were soft, flexible, and glue a round patch with a star on the outside to protect the ankle from damage. This model was named after Chuck Taylor. In 1947, they began to produce them in white, and in 1960 seven more different shades were added. Since then, Converse has become a cult name, a style icon and a fashionable feature of any outfit.

Whitening

White espadrilles, sneakers and slip-ons look appropriate and stylish in any look. But only if they are immaculately clean. Yellowed or gray Converse can be returned to its original whiteness using both industrial means and improvised methods.

How to clean white sneakers

When using bleach, it is important to choose solutions that do not contain chlorine. The glue may react with chlorine and yellow streaks will appear on the surface.

An effective “folk” way to remove yellowness is a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. The mixture is applied to the textile part of the product and intensively brushed. After treatment, the sneakers should be rinsed with cool water.

How to care for Converse

All original sneakers are made of high-quality canvas, which repels dust and is durable. You can wear them for years. But, like any thing, they love care - you need to wash the sole, prevent stains from being absorbed, and remove them in a timely manner, wash the laces, and carefully store them in the off-season. You can push paper towels inside to maintain shape. However, no matter how you take care of them, you still have to wash them.

Cleaning the interior

If textile products are entirely washed by hand or by machine, then models made of leather and suede require separate cleaning of the inner surface. If there is no significant contamination, you can limit yourself to removing dust with a damp cloth.

If necessary, you can wipe the surface with hydrogen peroxide or a solution of potassium permanganate. The product is applied using a cotton pad. It is important to act with caution; peroxide can ruin black skin.

Systematic cleaning of the inside of your shoes will extend their life and prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors.

How to wash sneakers in the washing machine

You can wash Converse in a machine, this is even the best option - it will save time, and the correct mode in the washing machine will not allow them to lose color. Yes, and soaking, as with manual, can be avoided. It is recommended to place them in a special laundry bag, or simply in any fabric bag or pillowcase. The laces can be washed by hand, or you can put them in a bag with the sneakers.

Kedomania, or how to properly wash sneakers

The mode in the washing machine should be set to gentle for delicate washing, at 30-40 degrees, for colored sneakers at 30 degrees, to avoid shedding of the product. We choose the products, as when washing clothes, apply powder marked for colored underwear to colored sneakers and white underwear, respectively, for white Converse, you can add bleach, but in no case does it contain chlorine, this will make the material turn yellow. And, of course, rinse thoroughly.

Drying shoes

To quickly dry Converse, you need to follow a certain sequence of actions:

Let the water drain. You can speed up this process by using a terry towel. They wrap the sneakers with it and press lightly. The fabric will absorb excess water.
Read also: How to wash windows in winter: choice of products and methods
White paper or cloth is stuffed inside the pair. An hour later it is removed and replaced with a new one.
Place shoes on a windowsill or balcony, but in such a way that the sun's rays do not fall on them. Ultraviolet light causes color fading, and yellow spots may appear on white fabric.

If you follow these recommendations, the Converse will dry in 1-2 days. Until this time, there is no need to lace up or put in insoles in them.

You can slightly speed up the drying process using a hairdryer or fan . It is important that the air blowing over the couple is not hot. During the cold season, you can place your sneakers near heating radiators. The distance should not be less than 20 cm. The shoes are turned from time to time.

It is strictly forbidden to place sneakers on a battery. This may cause the sole to burst. For the same reason, electric dryers are not used.

You cannot stuff newspapers inside your sneakers. Printing ink will get wet and will print unsightly spots on the product. It will be difficult to get rid of them. For the same reason, do not use fabric that is susceptible to shedding.

How to wash Converse by hand

Converse sneakers can be washed carefully by hand. To do this, we go through the preparatory stage of unlacing and cleaning the shoes from dirt. Next, add a spoonful of washing powder or liquid detergent to a small container and beat until foamy. Then you should wet the sneakers with cold water and apply foam with a sponge, wait 10-15 minutes until it is absorbed. After this, use a sponge to thoroughly rinse off the foam in clean water. Rinse Converse well in cool water. Wring out the shoes as gently as possible and you can proceed to the drying step described above.

How to bleach and clean the soles of white sneakers

Choosing a washing method

Not all shoes can be put into the drum - they may be damaged. But Converse sneakers can be machine washed. In addition to automatic washing, there are two more options used to remove stains:

Manual cleaning with a cloth and brush.
Wash by hand.

It is recommended to clean shoes only if they are not very dirty. To do this, use a cloth soaked in a solution of ammonia or dishwashing detergent. Heavily soiled Converse sneakers require hand or machine washing. Owners of fashionable shoes argue on forums about the best way to wash them. There are several arguments in favor of washing in SMA:

Sneakers will last longer if you wash them correctly.
Save time.
High-quality removal of dirt and stains.

Machine washing is better than hand washing only if all the rules are followed. At the same time, you need to clearly know how to wash sneakers correctly. Before washing, you need to prepare your shoes, select a high-quality detergent, and select the appropriate mode.

How to bleach white sneakers

You need to make a special paste, mix regular baking soda and vinegar in a ratio of 2 to 3, respectively. Stir until foamy, use plastic dishes, a reaction may occur in metal ones. You can also use washing powder instead of baking soda, and detergent instead of vinegar.

Rinse your sneakers under cold water. Take an old toothbrush and apply the paste to the entire surface of the shoe, paying careful attention to stains and dirt. Next, they need to be rinsed to remove any paste residue and washed in the washing machine.

Soap and a toothbrush will also help get rid of stains. Lather your favorite sneakers, let them soak in and scrub with a toothbrush. Next, according to the written scheme - rinse, wash, dry.

Currently, there are a lot of preparations for removing stains: magic eraser, stain stick. Follow the instructions included with these products and there will be no trace of stains left. And remember the washing and drying rules.

Required funds

To wash cloth Converse, it is better to use liquid laundry detergents, such as gel, liquid powder, concentrate and the like. They dissolve faster in water than synthetic powders, are gentle, rinse well and do not leave streaks on the fabric after drying.

If the housewife only has washing powder in her arsenal, then, in principle, it will also work, but the effect after washing may be worse than with liquid detergents.

To remove stubborn stains manually, it is advisable to have:

laundry soap;
dentifrice;
baking soda;
vinegar;
citric acid.

How to remove scratches

It happens that scratches appear on shoes; you can remove them in several simple ways.

Acetone. Using acetone or nail polish remover will help remove scratches. Dampen a piece of cotton wool with nail polish remover and acetone and rub the scratch area thoroughly.
Lemon. You can use lemon as a bleach. It is necessary to cut the fruit in half and rub the scratch with half, leave for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
Petrolatum. Rub the damaged surface with Vaseline; it captures dirt particles and leaves stains on the fabric base. After 5 minutes, remove dirt with a damp cloth.
Alcohol. Soak a piece of cloth or cotton pad with alcohol. Rub the scratch well.
Bleach. It is recommended to dilute bleach (white) with water, then gently scrub the damage with a toothbrush. Do not apply to fabric - stains will remain.
Dentifrice. Tooth powder or whitening paste can also help hide scratches. Apply to a toothbrush and rub over dirt and scratches. Then use a damp sponge or cloth to remove any remaining toothpaste.

How to choose a clothes dryer for your home

So, following the care tips and with careful wear, Converse sneakers will please their owner for a very long time. It is advisable not to forget that canvas sneakers are not intended for walking through puddles in the rain, otherwise no amount of whiteness and lemon will save you from dirty spots. A few important points:

remove insoles and laces when washing;
do not add chlorine bleach to wash white sneakers;
do not add bleach at all for colored sneakers;
Do not soak for a long time when hand washing - they will come apart;
do not dry on a heater or radiator - they will deteriorate;
dry in a well-ventilated place.

Feel like a legend when you have on your feet the same shoes worn by Kurt Cobain and Rihanna, Alain Delon and John Lennon, David Beckham and Gwen Stefani.

Preparatory procedures

Preparing Converse sneakers for washing comes down to the following steps:

Be sure to clean the sole if there is dirt, dust, or tufts of grass on it. If this is not done, the sneakers will not be washed, and dirt can damage the machine by clogging the drain filter.
Take out the laces. If left on, they will stain and become unwearable. Wash this separately in your next wash or by hand.
Buy a special case. Wash your Converse in it, otherwise you will ruin your shoes. Also, washing without a bag can damage the machine drum. An old pillowcase can act as a pouch if you don't have one.

Useful tips

A few tips that will extend the wear life and presentation of branded shoes:

wash only with products that match the color;
Do not use bleach when cleaning colored items;
adhere to the temperature regime for white – +400C, colored and black – +300C;
do not twist after hand washing;
dry in the shade, especially colored ones, so that they do not fade;
if the surface is clean and the smell causes discomfort, you can get rid of it with baking soda: pour it into a canvas cloth and place it inside for 24 hours;
You can clean the rubber sole with toothpaste or ammonia.

Lemon juice whitens rubber parts well.

Work on mistakes

Mistakes made when washing and drying shoes very often lead to shoes becoming deformed and stains forming on them. Homemade recipes will help you cope with the problem.

Yellow spots

The following actions can lead to unsightly yellow spots and streaks:

sun drying;
poor rinsing, in which the detergent is not completely removed;
wash in hot water.

Fabric sneakers and slippers will have to be washed:

Pour cold water into the basin.
Place your shoes in the water.
Leave for 1 to 2 hours.
Rinse well.
Dry in a ventilated area or outside, but not in direct sunlight.

You can also remove yellow marks from fabric and skin by rubbing the stained areas with a lemon cut. Or treat the contaminated areas with a vinegar solution (1:3).

Loss of shape, formation of creases

If a fabric pair is deformed, the following actions will help restore its shape:

Pour water at room temperature into a basin.
Wet your shoes.
Remove from the basin.
Drain off any remaining water.
Blot the surface with rags or napkins.
Carefully stuff the inside with paper that absorbs moisture well.
As the paper becomes damp, replace it with dry paper.

To restore the shape of a leather pair, the following recipe will be useful:

stuff the shoes with paper, giving them the required shape;
lubricate the upper with shoe wax or cream;
wait until the cream is absorbed;
repeat the procedure 2 more times;
collect the remaining product with a napkin;
stand for a day without putting on shoes or removing paper.

You can eliminate serious deformations and creases in a leather pair by using the following recipe:

Carefully stuff the shoes with paper, trying to form the desired shape.
Wet the cloth and wring it out.
Cover the prepared pair with a cloth.
Wait until the skin is slightly moisturized.
Set the iron to minimum setting, turning off the steam function.
Carefully, working only through the fabric, iron the creases.
If the result is not satisfactory, the process is repeated.
Leave the shoes without removing the paper until completely dry and cool.

If you use wax for care while using leather shoes, the creases will be less pronounced.

Increase or decrease size

If after washing the shoes have stretched and become larger, then it will not be easy to radically reduce them. The following techniques will help improve the situation:

the use of additional silicone shoe inserts (they are sold in shoe departments of stores), as an option - a gel insole;
inserting small pieces of foam rubber into the toe area;
Suede or leather shoes become smaller if you wet them and dry them again, but do not stuff them tightly with paper.

Even a repairman cannot reduce the size of textile shoes, but in some situations he can help with leather ones.

If fabric shoes shrink after washing, you can try stretching them. To do this, the pair is again moistened with water and tightly stuffed with paper, forming a shape. Additionally, you can use spacers, which are sometimes included when purchasing shoes.

For a leather pair, you can use this approach:

Place inside a thick plastic bag without holes.
Pour water into it.
Place in the freezer.
When water freezes, it will stretch the skin.
Remove a couple from the freezer.
As the ice begins to melt, it will shrink and the bag will be easy to remove.
Dry the pair.

If you are unable to stretch your shrunken shoes, you can contact a shoe repair shop for help.

Scratches

If washed incorrectly, scratches may appear on the leather surface. If they are shallow, then they can be tinted. Shoe polish of the appropriate color is suitable for this.

For deep scratches, wax will help:

heat the wax (paraffin or beeswax);
fill the scratch with it;
wait until it cools completely;
remove excess product with a soft cloth.