How To Clean White Converse That Turned Yellow

Got white Chuck Taylors that have seen brighter days? Don’t chuck them in the trash just yet!

Yellow stains on white shoes can ruin your OOTD and are a pain to deal with. But don’t worry—with the right cleaning solutions, you can make them look fresh again!

Here’s how to clean white Converse that turned yellow.

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How to Remove Yellow Stains From White Converse: Step-by-Step Guide

The safest way to clean white shoes is by hand. Follow this guide to whiten your yellowed Converse shoes:

Step 1: Slap the outsoles together to dislodge particles, dust, and caked-on mud.

Step 2: Use a soft-bristled brush to dust off the fabric of the shoes. Use a toothpick or nail to pick out rocks wedged in the grooves of the outsoles.

Step 3: Remove the laces and soak them in water mixed with mild laundry detergent. Add a few drops of bleach to the pre-soak if the laces are particularly dirty.

Step 4: If you can remove the insoles, handwash them separately.

Step 5: Create a yellow stain removal paste in a small bowl from one of these cleaning recipes:

• 1 cup of baking soda and 1 ½ cup of white vinegar
• 1 cup hydrogen peroxide and ½ baking soda
• 1 tablespoon white toothpaste, 1 cup lukewarm water, 1 cup baking soda, and ¼ cup dish soap

Step 6: Apply your chosen mixture onto the yellowed areas of the shoes using an old clean toothbrush or cotton cloth.

Step 7: Let the paste sit for at least 15 minutes for the ingredients to penetrate the stains.

Step 8: Scrub the mixture in with a toothbrush using a circular motion.

Step 9: Rinse off the paste with cold water and pour a squirt of dish soap or mild detergent on your shoes.

Step 10: Use a kitchen brush to work that soap in, covering every inch, including the rubber soles.

Step 11: Use cold water for the final rinse and let your shoes air dry.

If only certain areas are stained, focus your cleaning efforts there instead of washing the entire shoe.

For white leather Converse, rub the yellow stains with a damp Mr. Clean magic eraser sponge. Wipe off your shoes with a microfiber towel to dry them and remove the foam crumbs.

Another option is to brush the yellowed leather with white toothpaste. After cleaning, wipe off the toothpaste with a clean damp cloth, followed by a dry one.

Are stubborn yellow stains giving you a headache? Use specialized products like shoe stain removers or laundry whiteners (such as OxyClean). They contain powerful cleaning agents that can remove tough stains and deep-seated dirt.

If DIY isn’t your thing, you can always take your shoes to a professional shoe cleaner.

How to Clean White Converse Without Them Turning Yellow

Here’s a clever hack for handwashing your white shoes without worrying about them turning yellow after they dry:

1. While your shoes are still wet, wrap the fabric part with 3–5 layers of single-ply toilet paper.
2. Spritz the covered area with more water to ensure the toilet paper sticks well to the fabric.
3. Let your shoes air dry for at least 12 hours. The toilet paper will soak up all the dirty water so they don’t dry back on your white sneakers and cause that dreaded yellowing effect.

How to Clean Yellow Soles on White Converse

Consider these cleaning tips to whiten yellowed rubber soles:

• Brush the rubber soles with Salon Care 40 Volume Creme Developer, wrap them in plastic, and put them in the sun for 2–3 hours or longer.
• Scrub the soles using a thick paste of 1 part baking soda and ½ part hydrogen peroxide.
• Wipe the soles with cotton balls soaked in nail polish remover (acetone).
• Apply white toothpaste all over the yellowed rubber soles. Dip an old toothbrush in water and scrub the soles thoroughly.

Remember to wipe off any residue with a wet cloth. Finally, polish the soles with a dry clean towel.

Can You Clean Your White Converse That Turned Yellow in the Washing Machine?

Short on time and energy? Fortunately, you can machine wash your white Converse without any issues if you do it right. More good news—white canvas shoes handle machine washing better than darker colors.

Follow these steps to machine-wash your white Converse safely:

Step 1: Remove the laces and insoles to prevent them from getting tangled or damaged during the wash.

Step 2: Before washing, pre-treat yellow stains with any cleaning paste discussed above. Apply the solution directly on the stain and let it sit for several minutes—no need to rinse.

Step 3: Throw a couple of old towels (preferably white ones to avoid color transfer) in the washing machine to cushion and protect the drum and your shoes. Also, that’ll keep the banging noise down.

Step 4: Place your Converse in a mesh garment bag or old pillowcases to protect them during the wash cycle. If using pillowcases, keep the shoes separate and tie those ends tightly to keep them secure.

Step 5: Pop in the laces in a smaller mesh bag.

Step 6: Pour in the usual amount of brightening laundry detergent you’d use for a small load of laundry.

Step 7: Select a delicate cycle with cold water—hot water can shrink the shoes or melt the glue holding the shoes together. Set the spin option to low or no spin.

Step 8: Air dry your Converse after washing. You can stuff clean rags inside the shoes to soak up excess water and maintain their shape. Never put your white shoes in the dryer—the heat and all that tumbling can damage them.

Keep in mind, though, that Converse doesn’t endorse tossing their shoes in the washing machine as per their care instructions.

How to Keep White Converse Shoes White

Follow these tips to keep your white Converse pristine:

• Make it a habit to clean your white sneakers regularly. After each wear, brush off loose dirt and use a damp cloth to wipe them down.
• Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or high humidity.
• Between washes, don’t wait around if you spot a stain. Dab and spot-clean it ASAP with a mild dish soap and warm water mixture.
• Taking care of stains immediately keeps them from setting in, making them easier to deal with when you have more time for deep cleaning.
• Buff out marks and scuffs on the rubber trim with a magic eraser sponge to keep them looking brand new!
• Dirty laces can make clean shoes appear dingy. Remove them, soak them in soapy water, and scrub them with a soft brush.
• Always keep an instant stain remover or ready-to-use cleaning wipes in your bag for those sudden messes on the move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

There you have it—our complete guide on how to clean white Converse that turned yellow.

Fortunately, you don’t need expensive cleaning products and harsh chemicals to freshen up your kicks. You can make cleaning concoctions using household items to tackle those pesky yellow stains.

With some TLC and proper cleaning techniques, your Converse can shine like new again.