White Vans look stylish and sleek but they also get dirty rather easily. Thankfully, cleaning white shoes, specifically white Vans, is quite easy. You just need to know the right ingredients to use. So let us dive right into the best ways to clean white Vans.
1. With baking soda and water
The easiest way to clean white Vans or white canvas shoes is using a paste of baking soda and water. Make a thick paste of fresh baking soda with a bit of water. The consistency should be that of a thick soupy paste. Dip an unused or old toothbrush into the paste and slowly scrub your white Vans in circles or sideways motion. Rub the brush all along the shoe and make sure you pay special attention to all the grimy areas. Once you have covered both shoes with baking soda paste, place them out in the sunlight to dry. Keep the shoes in the sun for at least an hour, though longer the better. Soon your shoes will be spotlessly clean. You can rinse the shoes under running water or simply wipe them with a wet tissue.
2. With toothpaste
Another easy way to clean white shoes, particularly white Vans is with toothpaste. You can either take toothpaste that contains baking soda but if you are using plain toothpaste that does not contain baking soda, then add some baking soda to the paste first. Mix the paste and soda well. To this mixture, add a tablespoon of shampoo. You may use any shampoo or even use body wash or dishwashing soap like Dawn.
Add a bit of water to this mixture and whisk the mixture until it is nice and frothy. Using an old toothbrush, apply this foamy solution all over the white sneakers. Make sure you cover the entire surface of the shoes. Next, wash each shoe under running water. You can reapply the leftover frothy toothpaste solution if needed especially if your Vans are very dirty. Now place your sneakers in the sunlight to dry. Your shoes will be white and spotless!
3. With lemon juice
Another great way to clean white Vans without damaging them is with lemon juice. There are two easy ways to clean white Vans with lemon juice.
In the first method, you also need white vinegar, shampoo, baking soda, and some water for this remedy.
- Mix together the juice of half a lemon or lime, a quarter cup of white vinegar, a few tablespoons of baking soda, and a few teaspoons of shampoo or body wash. Stir well to combine. The frothy mixture is now ready to be used on your dirty Vans.
- Remove laces from the shoes and apply the frothy, bubbling mixture all over the shoes. You can use tissue paper or an old toothbrush for the job, though toothbrushes work best.
- Scrub the solution vigorously over the dirty shoes. Rinse them clean under running water. For very dirty shoes, reapply the frothy mixture a second time.
- Rinse thoroughly. Let your Vans air-dry overnight.
- Next day, apply acetone or nail polish to the shoes to remove hidden dirt and discoloration. Your Vans will be spotlessly clean.
In the simpler remedy, simply rub a few lemon slices all over the stains on the shoes. Let the juice sit on the shoes for a few hours before rinsing clean with plain water. Dry the shoes in shade.
4. With vinegar
You need white vinegar for this method. Do not use any other vinegar. Mix half a cup of white vinegar with half a cup of baking soda. Stir the frothy mixture and apply it all over the dirty vans using a tissue paper or an old toothbrush. The bubbling and frothing will remove stains and also eliminate all hidden dirt from the shoes. Let it stand for a few minutes before rinsing clean under running water. Re-apply vinegar and soda mixture if needed. Let the Vans dry overnight before use.
5. With Oxiclean®
For this method, you can use either liquid Oxiclean® or the powdered form of Oxiclean®. Place dirty shoes inside a plastic bag. Remove the laces of the shoes and also place them in the bad. Sprinkle about 40 grams of Oxiclean® powder over the shoes and inside the bag. Add hot water in the bag. Tie off the open end of the bag and shake the bag well so that the Oxiclean® and water mix together and start working on the shoes. Leave the shoes in the water and Oxiclean® solution for about 3 hours. After 3 hours, pour out all of the dirty water from the bag. Now, using an old toothbrush, scrub each shoe to remove the ground-in dirt from it. Rinse each shoe in warm water. Place the shoes out in the sun to dry. Your Vans/canvas shoes will be white and bright again.
6. With baby powder
Make a paste of baby powder (any brand) with some hot water. Remove the dirt from the shoes using an old toothbrush. Then dip the brush into the baby powder paste and apply all over the shoes. Wipe off the sneakers with tissue paper or an old rag. Leave the shoes to dry, in the shade. Do not dry the shoes in sunlight as that would turn your shoes yellow.
7. With bleach
Mix together ¼ cup of bleach with half a cup of water. Dip a brush with plastic bristles in this solution and scrub your Vans thoroughly. Dip the brush again in the solution and scrub until you have covered the entire shoe. Repeat for the other shoe as well. Use a tissue to wipe the shoes dry.
8. With hydrogen peroxide
Make a thick paste of baking soda with enough quantity of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Use an old toothbrush to apply the mixture all over your white Vans. Repeat for the other shoe as well. Soak the laces separately in the solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Now dry the shoes and the laces in the sun for 4-5 hours. Once dry, remove the dried powder by shaking it off. Wash each shoe under running water. You may also use any dishwashing soap to clean residual dirt from the shoes. Soak a cotton ball in acetone or nail polish remover. Apply this to the soles and front parts of the shoes to remove stains and discoloration. Repeat this process at least once a month to keep your white shoes looking brand new!