Converse shoes are stylish, comfy sneakers you can wear to run errands, go shopping, or even party in a club. The versatile shoe comes in many colors, patterns, styles, and materials.
Some high fashion brands have collaborated with converse to make limited-edition kicks. They’re great for any occasion and, as such, can get a lot of wear and tear.
Sometimes old and worn converse can look stylish and lived in, but sometimes the shoes look shabby and dirty. Luckily, the shoes are relatively easy to clean in a few simple steps.
The official converse website doesn’t recommend machine washing the shoes, but many users have found that the trainers fair fine in the washing machine. However, ensure you use a low heat setting, a short cycle, and allow them to air dry.
You can also spot-clean the converse with a bit of soap, water, and a microfiber cloth. You can even use a magic eraser to tackle stubborn scruffs on the rubber sections.
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What are Converses made of?
Converse are usually made from canvas, which is totally machine washable. However, the glue that holds your shoe together can disintegrate if exposed to extreme temperatures.
However, if your converse are made of something other than canvas, you will most likely need to wash them by hand.
Can you put converse in the washing machine?
If washed correctly, converse are safe to machine wash. Yay!
Technically, Converse do not recommend machine washing the trainers because they don’t want you to wreck your shoes and get mad at them, understandably.
But, as with washing most things, cleaning things by hand is always safer. However, if done correctly, converse are safe to machine wash.
How to Machine Wash Converse.
The biggest concern is that machine washing converse will ruin them. Things you want to avoid:
- Fading the color.
- Dying the shoes another color.
- Damaging the glue.
- Damaging the laces or soul.
Steps to safely machine wash converse:
- Dry brush any excess dirt from the shoe. This will ensure the shoes get even cleaner and will prevent dirt build up in the machine.
- Remove the laces, as these will get tangled in the machine, and remove the souls.
- Place a few old towels in the washing machine to ensure the machine doesn’t get damaged in the process. It will also ensure the shoes aren’t loud in the machine, bashing against the sides.
- Place the converse in a washing bag, or into separate, old pillowcases and place it in the washing machine.
- Add the same amount of detergent you normally would for a small load. Ideally, use a liquid detergent, as powder often gets stuck inside the shoe.
- Set the machine to a gentle, cool cycle, around 30 to 40 degrees Celcius.
- Do not use hot water because it may cause the glue holding the shoe together to loosen and lead to the shoes falling apart prematurely. Instead, use warm or cool water.
- Additionally, if your converse are a particularly bright color and you don’t want it to fade, use a cold wash.
- The machine should be able to clean the shoes within 30 or 40 minutes.
If you don’t want to ruin your clean pillowcases, washing machine bags can be super handy.
How do I dry my converse safely?
The fastest method is to use a tumble dryer, but sadly this is not safe for the shoes. The excessive heat and motion will wreck the trainers and maybe even the tumble dryer.
So instead, put the shoes near a window or outside, and allow them to air dry. Stuff the converse with some newspaper to help them hold their shape as they dry.
Bonus, the newspaper will absorb excess water and speed up the drying time. Occasionally change the newspaper once it is saturated with water.
How do I wash converse laces?
The safest method to clean shoelaces is to wash them by hand in the sink. It will only take a few minutes, but will prevent excessive wear and tangling.
Fill the sink with warm water, and add a few drops of dish soap. Soak the laces for 15 to 20 minutes, occasionally moving them around.
If stains persist, use an old toothbrush to scrub the laces. Once cleaned, rinse the laces in fresh water and hang them somewhere to air dry.
The best method to hand wash converse
The safest way to clean converse is not in the washing machine but by hand. This is the method converse advises and will ensure that the shoes aren’t damaged.
What you will need:
- Dish soap.
- Water.
- Microfiber cloth.
- Old toothbrush.
Method to hand wash converse:
- If your converse are new or a bright color, try to clean a small test patch first to ensure the cleaning solution doesn’t damage the shoes. For example, clean the tongue of the shoe first.
- Rub a little soap onto the shoe, and work it in with a damp cloth. If the material looks good and undamaged, move on to step 2.
- Converse advises against throwing the converse into the washing machine or fully submerging the shoe. Instead, apply a bit of mild dish soap to the shoe in sections.
- Gently rub the soap into the show with a damp cloth. Don’t be too rough!
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the rubber toecap and base of the shoe.
- Use a damp cloth to remove the traces of soap from the shoe.
- Leave the converse to air dry- do not use the tumble dryer or a hair dryer! Fill the shoes with newspaper and leave the shoes somewhere with good air circulation to air dry.
Microfiber cloths are super handy when cleaning and are a household essential.
Can I put white converse in the washing machine?
Yes, you can. Follow the steps outlined above. Avoid using bleaches or chlorinated products when machine washing white converse.
Additionally, do not place colored towels in the washing machine alongside the shoes, as the color may transfer. Instead, use old white towels.
Can I put leather converse in the washing machine?
Converse have continued to expand its range of shoes, and some of its sneakers are made of slick-looking leather. Although they may look cool now, they won’t after putting them in the washing machine.
Leather is easily damaged when placed in the washer, so do not machine wash them.
Can I put suede converse in the washing machine?
Sadly, the answer is no. You wouldn’t put a suede bag or jacket in the washing machine, and the same goes for converse.
The suede is easily damaged by water and heat.
How do I remove stubborn scuff marks on the rubber sections?
If the classic soap and water combination isn’t cutting the mustard, you can use a magic eraser on the rubber sections of the shoe. Then, simply buff away stubborn stains and scrapes on the white rubber sole and toe cap.
To Summarize
Converse are made to be worn as a carefree trainer. You shouldn’t wear them and be constantly worried about getting them dirty.
However, you should learn how to care for the shoes so that you can restore them with ease when you do get them dirty.
Converse are machine washable; however, the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees; you should remove the laces and soles, add a few towels and place the shoes in a washing bag or pillow case.
Converse are super easy to hand wash as well, and it will ensure the shoes aren’t damaged. Use soap, water and a microfiber cloth to hand clean the shoes.
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
