To start with, Converse states in clear terms not to wash or dry your shoes in a washer. But off the books, you actually can. We realize that the reason for the ban is so that you can get the maximum lifespan out of your Converse shoes, but when they have been roughed up from use and needs a fresh start, then you should consider tossing them in a washer.
From experience, your converse shoes will age just like every other shoe even if you put them in a washer, but you would have to follow specific instructions to do that. In this article, you will learn exactly how.
How to Wash Converse Shoes In Washer the Right Way
If you do it correctly, washing your converse shoes in a washing machine without ruining them takes only a few minutes. We wouldn’t wash them in a washer every week, but it’s fine once in a while! So if your Converse needs a thorough wash, then we recommend that you follow the steps below to clean them in a washer.
Step 1 – Pre-treat Stains
You should pretreat your Converse if they have deep grass, food, or other smudges on them. You can use a stain remover like OxiClean MaxForce Stain remover spray to pretreat the stains before the shoes go in the washer. They should come out better when they are pretreated.
To do this, spray OxiClean MaxForce stain remover on the smudges and let it sit as recommended on the product label. However, you should do a spot test by spraying a hidden part of the shoe to confirm that the product is safe to use on your converse.
Step 2 – Brush Off Loose Dirt
You don’t want to let loose dirt into your washer or else this might start a mold problem in your washer or block the drainage. It is, therefore, good practice to brush off any loose dirt under the soles and around the corners of your converse (or any shoe at all) before loading them in a washing machine.
Perchance you already have mold problems in your washer, here’s how to get rid of mold from your washer fast.
Step 3 – Remove Shoe Laces And Insoles
Remove the shoe laces and insoles; you will be washing these separately. This is to ensure that your shoes get cleaned thoroughly in the washing machine.
The shoe laces and insoles should be placed in a washable bag or pillow (which you will tie at the top) to prevent them from getting lost or entering the machine’s inner workings.
Step 4 – Time to Wash
Toss your pre-treated Converse in the washer and let it wash on a gentle cycle. The temperature should be cool at around 30°C – 40°C. No matter how badly your shoes are stained, don’t use hot water to clean them; the heat will loosen the glue that holds them together, and you risk ruining your Converse.
Your usual laundry detergent should work, but you should cut it back a little so that the suds can easily be rinsed away. If you’re washing a white color Converse, read this post on how to clean white Converse.
Step 5 – Drying Your Converse
Just like washing your Converse-style shoes using a hot cycle will loosen the glue holding it together, so also will the heat of a dryer. You should never put your converse in a dryer, but rather leave them out to air-dry. This also applies to speed-drying Converse using hair dryers – the heat will do some damage.
We recommend spreading them under the sun, but no longer than it takes to dry the shoe. Dark-colored Converse may fade if you leave them under the sun for extended periods. You should also pack the shoes with newspapers to help keep their form and absorb any extra water. Change the newspaper periodically during the drying process.
Don’ts For Washing Converse In the Washer
- You should never use hot water to wash your converse. Remember, the shoe is held together by glue and hot water can undo it. So washing with hot water is a death sentence to Converse-style shoes.
- Don’t forget to remove the shoe laces and insoles before tossing your Converse into the washing machine. Doing this will give your shoes the best wash possible.
- Do not soak your Converse overnight, it will do more harm than good. This is because the Sodium Percarbonate in most detergents can undo the glue and ruin your converse permanently.
- Avoid harsh detergents. Rather use gentle detergents such as Persil Non-Bio detergent for washing your Converse shoes.
How to Get Rid Of Stains On Converse Shoes
A magic eraser can be used to quickly remove stains off Converse, so you may want to have one handy when you’re out and about. A magic eraser is a stain remover that works well on stains such as grass, food, oil, and others. It can also be used to clean scuff marks from the rubber soles of your shoes.
For more comprehensive spot cleaning, use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking powder. This mixture is a potent stain remover, especially for white Converse. If you have these two supplies, here’s how to get rid of stains on your Converse with them:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, ½ tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, and ½ tablespoon of warm water to make a paste.
- Scrub the trouble spot on the converse with an old toothbrush dipped in the paste.
- Allow 20 minutes for the paste to dry on your shoes.
- Using clean water, rinse the area. If required, repeat the process.
Tip: Again, don’t forget to test a small inconspicuous area (inside the tongue, for example) before using this homemade stain buster on the stains on your Converse. If you have ink stains in your converse, saturate the area with rubbing alcohol using a cotton swab, then rub the area until the stain starts to disappear.
How Do I Keep My white Converse White?
Spray your white Converse with a water and stain-resistant spray like Kiwi Sneaker Protector after washing and drying them to help keep them cleaner for longer. If you don’t have time to completely clean your shoes after a spill, spot-clean stains with a mixture of mild dish soap and water ASAP to make them simpler to remove later.
Between washings, use an eraser fast wipe like Shout Wipe & Go Instant Stain Remover to remove scuffs and scratches off the rubber trim on your Converse.
Why Did My White Converse Turn Yellow After Washing?
When exposed to too much chlorine bleach, white Converse composed of natural fibers like cotton and linen might turn yellow, sometimes permanently. The concentrated form of bleach can effectively break down the fiber of the Converse and the fluorescent whitening material used to make the shoes white. Always dilute the bleach you use on your Converse to avoid such occurrences.
Also, when white Converse is hung on a clothesline to dry after using chlorine bleach, the bleaching effect of the sun’s UV rays adds another layer of bleaching to it, turning it a shade of yellow. In essence, always store your shoes in a shaded area and never sun-dry them for longer than is necessary.