How to Clean Canvas Shoes (Converse/Vans) & Wash Sneakers in a Washer: The 2026 Expert Guide

White canvas sneakers placed in a mesh laundry bag ready for a gentle wash cycle

Introduction: The Universal Struggle of Dirty White Canvas

There is a specific kind of heartbreak that every sneaker lover knows. You buy a crisp, fresh pair of white Vans or Converse Chuck Taylors. You wear them once—perhaps to a concert, a park, or just on a busy commute—and suddenly, that pristine white is scuffed, gray, and tired.

In my 20+ years running a physical shoe store, I have handed thousands of shoe boxes across the counter. Whether I was serving a college student in Chennai or advising a traveler heading to Europe, the question was always the same: “How do I keep these clean without ruining them?”

Canvas is durable, breathable, and stylish, but it is also a magnet for dirt. And unlike leather, you can’t just wipe it down.

If you are looking for how to wash sneakers in a washer or scrubbing them by hand, you are in the right place. We aren’t just going to tell you to throw them in the machine and hope for the best. We are going to teach you the professional way to maintain the structural integrity of your footwear while getting that “out of the box” brightness back.

TL;DR: Quick Answer

Can you put canvas shoes in the washing machine? Yes, but you must follow strict rules to avoid damage. Remove the laces and insoles first. Place the shoes inside a mesh laundry bag or a tied pillowcase to prevent them from banging against the drum. Use a gentle cycle with cold water and mild liquid detergent. Never use the dryer; always air dry your shoes in a shaded area to prevent the glue from melting and the rubber from warping.

Why This Topic Matters (And Why Most People Get It Wrong)

In the two decades I’ve spent analyzing footwear returns and customer complaints, I’ve learned that shoes rarely “die” from natural causes—they are usually murdered by improper care.

The biggest issue with canvas shoes isn’t the dirt; it’s the glue and the rubber. Brands like Vans and Converse use a vulcanization process (heating rubber to bond it). When people aggressively search “how do you wash shoes in a washer” and use hot water or a tumble dryer, they are essentially reversing that process. The result? Soles that peel off and yellow stains that won’t go away.

This guide bridges the gap between convenience (the machine) and longevity (the hand wash), giving you the same advice I give my customers face-to-face.

Method 1: How to Wash Shoes in Washing Machine (The Safe Way)

If you are short on time, the washing machine is a viable option, but it requires preparation. This is the method we recommend for “how to wash sneakers in washer” queries without destroying your machine or your kicks.

Step 1: The Prep Work (Crucial)

Before you even look at the washing machine, you have manual work to do.

Remove Laces: Wash these separately in a small bag or bowl of soapy water. If you leave them on, dirt gets trapped in the eyelets.
Remove Insoles: If your insoles are removable, take them out. Washing them in the machine can make them waterlogged and spongy, leading to long-term odors.
Brush the Outsole: Use a stiff brush or an old toothbrush to knock off dried mud, pebbles, or gum from the soles. You don’t want that debris clogging your washing machine drain.

Step 2: Bag It Up

Never throw loose shoes into the drum. They will bang around violently, which can damage the machine’s drum paddles and the structure of the shoe.

The Mesh Bag Strategy: Place both shoes in a specialized mesh sneaker laundry bag.
The Pillowcase Hack: If you don’t have a mesh bag, use an old white pillowcase and tie the top shut with a hair tie or shoelace.
The Buffer: Throw in two or three old towels along with the shoes. This balances the load and stops the loud banging noise.

Step 3: Detergent and Settings

Temperature: COLD WATER ONLY. I cannot stress this enough. Hot water weakens the adhesive glue used in sneakers.
Cycle: Select “Delicate,” “Gentle,” or “Hand Wash.”
Detergent: Use a mild liquid detergent. Avoid powder detergents as they can fail to dissolve fully, leaving gritty residue inside the canvas weave. Do not use bleach on standard canvas shoes—it can yellow the rubber sidewalls.

Method 2: The “Purist” Hand Wash (Best for Longevity)

If you have a vintage pair of Converse or expensive custom Vans, skip the machine. This is how we clean display models in the shop.

The Baking Soda Paste Technique

This is the gold standard for how to clean canvas shoes effectively.

Mix the Solution: Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon of warm water. It should form a runny paste.
Scrub: Dip an old toothbrush into the paste and scrub the canvas in circular motions. Focus heavily on stains.
The Wait: Let the paste sit on the shoes for at least 30 minutes. It will dry and cake over, lifting the dirt out of the fibers.
Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Cleaning the Rubber (Foxing Tape)

The white rubber strip around the bottom (the foxing tape) is usually the first thing to get dirty.

Magic Eraser: A melamine sponge is a miracle worker for scuffs on rubber.
Nail Polish Remover: For stubborn black scuffs, a tiny amount of acetone on a cotton ball works wonders—just be careful not to touch the canvas, as it can bleach the fabric.

Drying Your Shoes: The “Mummy Wrap” Hack

This is an insider secret I have shared with customers for 20 years. The number one complaint after washing white canvas shoes is: “Why did they turn yellow?”

This happens because as the shoes dry, detergent residue and dirt wick up to the surface and oxidize.

How to prevent yellow stains:

While the shoes are still wet, take white paper towels or toilet paper.
Wrap the entire shoe in layers of paper, pressing it down so it sticks to the wet canvas. You want the shoe to look like a paper mache mummy.
Let the shoe dry completely (24 hours) with the paper on it.
The Magic Reveal: As the shoe dries, the yellow residue will wick into the paper, not the fabric. When you peel the paper off the dry shoe, the paper will be yellow, but the shoe will be bright white.

Warning: NEVER dry your shoes in direct sunlight. The UV rays accelerate the oxidation of the glue, turning your white rubber soles yellow.

Material Deep Dive: Knowing Your Shoe

Understanding what your shoe is made of helps you clean it better.

Canvas (Cotton): Highly absorbent. It holds stains easily but can withstand scrubbing.
Vulcanized Rubber: This is the sole. It is durable but heat-sensitive. High heat causes it to become brittle and crack.
Metal Eyelets: If you leave your shoes wet for too long without air circulation, these can rust, staining the tongue of the shoe orange.

A Note on Colored Canvas

If you are washing red, blue, or black canvas shoes, do not use the baking soda/peroxide mix mentioned above, as it can fade the color. Instead, use a mild dish soap and water solution. Always test a small spot on the tongue before scrubbing the whole shoe.

Comparison: Machine Wash vs. Hand Wash

Not sure which method to choose? Here is a breakdown based on efficiency and risk.

Feature	Machine Wash	Hand Wash
Effort Required	Low (Set and forget)	High (Elbow grease needed)
Cleaning Depth	Good for general dust/odors	Best for spot stains and scuffs
Risk of Damage	Moderate (Glue separation risk)	Low (Total control)
Drying Time	24-48 Hours	24 Hours
Best For	Gym sneakers, heavily soiled shoes	Expensive, vintage, or delicate shoes

Pro-Tips from 20 Years of Shoe Retail

These are the things shoe manufacturers might not tell you on the box.

The “Shape” Keeper: When drying your shoes, stuff them with a small dry towel or white paper. This absorbs moisture from the inside and helps the shoe retain its shape. Do not use newspaper—the ink will transfer to your wet socks/lining!
Odor Control: If your canvas shoes smell even after washing, sprinkle baking soda inside them once they are dry and leave it overnight. Shake it out in the morning.
Toothpaste Works: In a pinch? White, non-gel toothpaste is an excellent cleaner for the white rubber toe caps on Converse. It acts as a mild abrasive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-washing: Canvas fibers fray over time. Machine washing them every week will age them prematurely.
Using Bleach: While tempting for white shoes, bleach can chemically react with the rubber glue, creating a permanent yellow tint that no amount of scrubbing will remove.
Ignoring the Insoles: If you wash the shoe but not the insole, the bacteria causing the odor remains. If the insole is glued down, sprinkle baking soda; if it’s removable, wash it separately.

Monetization & Recommendations

You don’t need expensive equipment to keep your shoes fresh, but a few tools make a huge difference.

Invest in Mesh Bags: If you plan to machine wash, a [Honeycomb Mesh Laundry Bag] is a cheap insurance policy for your shoes.
Instant Cleaners: For touch-ups on the go, [Sneaker Wipes] are great to keep in your travel bag or car.
Replacement Laces: Sometimes, the shoe isn’t dirty, the laces are just old. Swapping in a fresh pair of [White Flat Laces] can make a 2-year-old shoe look brand new instantly.

(Note: Check leading retailers like Amazon or your local shoe care specialist for these items.)

FAQs

1. How to wash shoes in washing machine without breaking it? To protect your machine, remove loose dirt from the soles first, place shoes in a mesh bag, and add old towels to the drum to cushion the impact and balance the load.

2. What setting to wash sneakers on? Always use the “Gentle,” “Delicate,” or “Hand Wash” cycle. These cycles use slower spin speeds, reducing the risk of damage to the shoes.

3. Can you wash Converse in the washing machine? Yes, canvas Converse are machine safe. However, remove the laces and wash on cold. Do not put leather or suede Converse in the washer.

4. How do you wash shoes in a washer with baking soda? You can add half a cup of baking soda to the drum along with your liquid detergent. This helps brighten whites and neutralize odors during the wash cycle.

5. How to dry shoes fast without a dryer? Loosen the tongue, remove the insoles, and stuff the shoes with dry paper towels to absorb moisture. Place them in a well-ventilated area with a fan blowing on them.

6. Why did my white Vans turn yellow after washing? Yellowing is caused by alkaline detergent residue or glue oxidation. Use the “paper towel method” (wrapping wet shoes in tissue) while drying to prevent this.

7. Is it better to hand wash or machine wash sneakers? Hand washing is safer and prolongs the life of the shoe. Machine washing is convenient but risks damaging the structure if done too frequently or with heat.

8. How to clean white canvas shoes that turned yellow? Create a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, scrub the yellow areas, let it sit for 30 minutes, and rinse. Dry using the paper towel wrap method.

9. Can I use dish soap to wash shoes? Yes, mild dish soap is an excellent degreaser for canvas shoes. Mix it with warm water and use a soft brush to scrub away dirt.

10. How often should you wash canvas shoes? Only wash them when visibly dirty or smelly. Spot clean small stains as they happen to avoid the need for full submersion washing.

About the Author: With over 20 years of experience managing a bustling footwear retail store, we have seen every type of shoe disaster imaginable. From fitting first walkers to saving muddy festival sneakers, our advice is grounded in real-world testing and thousands of customer interactions.

How to Clean Canvas Shoes (Converse/Vans) & Wash Sneakers in a Washer: The 2026 Expert Guide

How to Clean Canvas Shoes (Converse/Vans) & Wash Sneakers in a Washer: The 2026 Expert Guide

Introduction: The Universal Struggle of Dirty White Canvas

TL;DR: Quick Answer

Why This Topic Matters (And Why Most People Get It Wrong)