Q&A for How to Clean White Vans Shoes

Easy Cleaner is a great product that won't damage your shoes. Apply the cleaner to your shoes with a soft-bristled brush, so you don't scratch the surface.

Oxiclean should be safe, but it’s a good idea to test any cleaning product in an inconspicuous area first, like the underside of the shoe’s tongue, just to be sure.

Yes, white vinegar can be great for cleaning your Vans and removing stains. Try mixing it with baking soda to create a paste, then scrub it into your Vans with an old toothbrush after dampening them with cool water. Rinse your Vans off again when you’re done. To get them extra clean, toss them into the washing machine afterward.

No, you can't. Baking powder consists not only of baking soda but can also contain cornstarch and other acting substances. It is best to use pure baking soda when cleaning.

Next time don't use two methods at once. Try rubbing alcohol. If that does not do it then wash them in the washer.

First rub off as much of the dirt as you can under a faucet and then put them in the wash as Part 2. describes. Don't use bleach or any whitening product because it could turn the black checkers to a lighter undesired color.

Lemon juice works well, just use 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts water to prevent damage.

Use white to prevent any colors from bleeding onto your shoes. You can also use a delicates laundry bag.

If you're just washing the shoes by themselves, it's not likely. To be sure, place them inside a pillowcase first.

Yes, but frequent use of bleach can damage the canvas.

No, you cannot. If you use bleach, you will fade the other color, or cause it to turn into another color (ie: pink, orange, yellow, etc). Bleach is also risky, even when cleaning completely white shoes; if you are not careful, you risk ruining the fabric part.

Wet wipes. Gently start wiping in straight lines. Keep going until it's finished. It is a slow process but worth it.

Place them back in the pillowcase and then back in the washer. Run the rinse cycle. Then take them out and let them air dry.

Rub toothpaste, soap, and a hint of baking soda on the shoe with a toothbrush. Rinse with water afterward.

Just mix laundry detergent, bleach and water. Clean the shoe and let it air dry.

Run them through the laundry cycle using the method above. If they aren't white after that, use the bleach option mentioned in this article.

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

Yes. Try wetting the area with warm water first, though. Then, just try to keep scrubbing until the stain is gone. If it doesn't work, then just try one of the steps above.

Yes, you can, but don't put them in the dryer because it will cause the edges to turn yellow.

You can clean your laces by putting them in a pillowcase and tying it closed, then machine-washing.

It will blend into the shoe. If you have a delicates bag, that works best, but if you don't, just use a white pillow case.

The purpose of the toothpaste is to temporarily hide the stain, not remove it. So, since your vans are white, then you would need to be using white toothpaste.

Any type of detergent would do. If it is powdered, then make a paste out of it. If it is liquid, you could use it directly along with the other ingredients.

It depends on the type of paint. Some types of paint, like acrylic, won't come off. For other types, you can try adding a little bit of paint thinner to the spot.

You can try a strain remover like Spray 'n Wash and an old toothbrush directly on the stain. If it still isn't budging, add a drop or two of bleach to the spot and scrub some more really scrub hard and give it some time. Finish by washing them in the washing machine on cold/gentle cycle and air dry them stuffed with some crumpled-up white paper. Blood, yellow mustard, and grass stains are some of the trickiest to get out, but this method works pretty well. Worst comes to worst, you can "paint" the stain with a white shoe dye/paste specifically for white canvas shoes - look online for it.

Try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I'm not sure if it'll work on the canvas, but it does wonders for the sole.

Yes, I used the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide method and it worked.

Bleach would be the best method if you are trying to color it white again. But be careful not to inhale the bleach or spill it on bare skin. Wear old clothes that you won't mind getting bleached in the process in case it splatters.

If it is on the rubber wait, for the cheese to partially dry, then peel it off. If it is on the canvas, then do the same, but after, use a stiff bristled brush to get the cheese stuck between the threads.

Use one part water and one part bleach to scrub out the stain.