If your Converse sneakers are looking a little dirty and you’d like to spruce them up again, you’re going to have to clean them. Now, you can do this with soapy water and a cloth, but can you wash your Conserve sneakers in the washing machine?
Converse sneakers made of fabric such as canvas or cotton can be washed in the washing machine if you follow a few precautions. However, if your Converse shoes are made from leather or even suede, then you should not wash them in the machine as this will destroy them.
Here are some important tips to remember when washing your Converse sneakers in the washing machine.
Washing Tips And Precautions
If you follow these simple tips and precautions, you should have no problem washing your Converse sneakers in the washing machine even though the company advises against this.
- Make sure your sneakers are made from fabric and not leather or suede.
- Brush off as much dirt as possible from the top, the midsole, and the outer sole of the sneakers.
- Take out the laces and the inner sole as these will be washed separately.
- Always place your sneakers in either a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase.
- Use only cold water in the washing machine
- Use a mild detergent and avoid using fabric softener.
- Wash only on a delicate cycle that has a slow spin. The wool cycle is perfect for this.
- Put a few towels into the machine with your sneakers to protect both your shoes and the washing machine drum and help to balance the load
- You can pretreat your sneakers if they have heavy-duty stains on them such as grass stains.
- Make sure that you put your laces and innersoles into a separate mesh laundry bag.
- Never soak your Converse sneakers in Oxiclean. This will dissolve the glue that holds the soles on.
- Never put your Converse sneakers in the dryer as this will damage them beyond repair.
- Don’t use bleach on white sneakers because it will turn them yellow.
- Avoid drying colored sneakers in direct sunlight because they will fade. Similarly, the sun will turn white sneakers yellow.
How To Steps For Washing Converse In The Washing Machine
Follow these simple steps to wash your Converse in the washing machine.
Step 1
Using a shoe brush or old toothbrush, remove as much of the dried dirt on your sneakers as you can. Don’t forget to brush around the mid sole.
Step 2
Turn the sneakers over and brush all of the dirt off the soles. You might need to use a little soap and water to get as much dirt off as possible. Remember to rinse off the soap after you do this.
Step 3
Take the laces and inner soles out of your sneakers. Place these into a mesh laundry bag.
Step 4
Put your sneakers in a separate mesh laundry bag and pop them into the washing machine along with the bag containing the laces and insoles.
Step 5
Put some mild liquid detergent into the machine but avoid adding any fabric softener.
Step 6
Place a few old towels (4 to 5) into the washing machine with your sneakers. This will protect them and also balance the load.
Step 7
Select a delicate cycle (such as the wool cycle), cold water wash and slow-spin only.
Step 8
Turn on your machine and let it run through its cycle.
Step 9
Once the cycle is complete, take your sneakers out and place them in a warm spot to air dry. Do the same with your laces and insoles and never throw these items into the dryer.
Step 10
Wait until the insoles are completely dry before putting them back into your sneakers.
If you follow these simple step, you can safely wash your Converse sneakers in the washing machine without damaging them or your machine. Just remember to only do this with fabric sneakers and not those made from leather or suede.
How To Get Tough Stains Out Of White Converse Sneakers
If your white Converse sneakers have tough stains on them, there are a couple of ways you can remove these depending on whether your sneakers are made from canvas or leather.
If your sneakers are made from canvas, you can use hydrogen peroxide. Use an old toothbrush and dip it into the hydrogen peroxide solution. Scrub over the stain. Rinse the brush as the stain starts to lift and continue with the hydrogen peroxide until the stain is gone.
If your white sneakers are made from leather, you want to use baking soda instead. Once again, grab an old toothbrush and moisten it. Dip this into the baking soda and start scrubbing the stain. Rinse the brush, add more baking soda and continue until the stain is gone.
Once your white sneakers are stain free, wipe them with a wet cloth to remove any hydrogen peroxide or baking soda residue and then leave your sneakers to air dry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you machine wash Converse?
If your Converse are made from fabric, you can machine wash them as long as you follow some basic precautions. Converse shoes made from leather or suede should never be washed in the washing machine.
Do Converse shrink when washed?
If you use only cold water and a slow spin cycle, your canvas or cotton Converse sneakers should not shrink when you wash them. Make sure that you air dry them out of direct sunlight.
Can you put wet Converse in the dryer?
No, you should not throw your Converse in the dryer. The glue that holds the sole to the bottom of the shoe will melt with the heat. Also, the heat can shrink or warp your sneakers.
Final Thoughts
If you own a pair of Converse sneakers that are made from fabric, you can wash them in the washing machine as long as you place them in a mesh laundry bag and take out the laces and insoles.
Always use only cold water and select a delicate cycle with a slow spin. Pop a few towels in with the sneakers to balance the load and offer some additional protection.