How to Clean Converse Chuck Taylors Without Wrecking the Canvas or Glue
Quick answer: Converse says to scrub canvas with a soft brush and a small squirt of soap in warm water (test on the tongue first), clean rubber the same way, soak laces in cold soapy water for about 30 minutes, and air dry away from heat. Converse says not to use a washing machine.
We compare Converse with Cleanipedia and a shoe retailer blog, and show where they disagree.
How to Clean Converse: Three Methods Compared
Converse publishes a short guide for its Chuck Taylors. Cleanipedia (a Unilever brand) and a shoe retailer blog give different recipes. They agree on cold or lukewarm water and no direct heat, and they disagree on the washing machine.
| Source | Canvas method | Rubber | Laces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Converse | One small squirt of soap, or one laundry sheet, in warm water. Test on the tongue first. Scrub with a soft brush, rinse the brush between passes, wipe with a microfibre cloth. | Clean like the upper. For stubborn marks, wait until the shoe is dry and rub with a pencil eraser. | Soak in cold soapy water about 30 minutes, scrub gently. Not warm water, which can loosen the fibres. |
| Cleanipedia | Soak in cold water, then scrub a paste of baking soda and white vinegar (two parts baking soda to three parts vinegar) with a toothbrush or nail brush. Rinse in cold water. | No dedicated steps. Wet wipes for scuffs, toothpaste with a patch test. No rubbing alcohol, which it says hardens rubber. | Washed separately. |
| Schuh blog | A thick paste of 50 ml each of washing-up liquid, toothpaste and baking soda with a little water. Coat the shoe, wipe off the excess, stuff with newspaper, dry in a warm place, then brush the toothpaste off. | No specific steps. | Soak 2 to 3 hours in the same mix with 200 ml warm water. |
All three agree on a soft brush, no bleach (Converse and Schuh say it can damage or yellow the canvas, Cleanipedia says to use only white vinegar), and air drying away from heat. Cleanipedia warns that hot water can loosen the shoe glue.
Step by Step for Canvas Chucks
This is the simple route that every source can live with, for canvas Chucks.
- Take out the laces. All three sources wash them separately.
- Dry brush the canvas to lift loose dirt (our general advice, the sources start wet).
- Test the cleaner on a hidden spot, such as the tongue (Converse).
- Scrub with a soft brush and the gentlest cleaner that works: a squirt of soap in warm water (Converse) or a baking soda and white vinegar paste (Cleanipedia).
- Wipe with a microfibre cloth, rinsing the brush between passes (Converse).
- Air dry, stuffed with paper, away from heaters, hair dryers and clothes dryers (Converse, Schuh).
Avoid long soaks. Converse says excess water can weaken the fabric and the glue, and prefers spot cleaning.
Can You Wash Converse in the Washing Machine?
The sources split. Converse says do not put the shoes in a washing machine, because the spin cycle is rough on them and sole dirt can contaminate laundry. Schuh says to avoid it “at all costs”. Cleanipedia gives machine instructions if the maker allows it: a mesh bag or pillowcase, a gentle low-temperature cycle with mild detergent, no fabric conditioner, towels to cushion the drum, and a check that the brand is machine-safe first.
General advice: because the maker itself says no, hand cleaning is the lower-risk option for Chucks. If you decide to risk a machine wash anyway, see how appliance makers describe it in our washing machine guide.
The White Rubber and Yellowing
The white rubber toe cap and sidewall are the part that shows dirt first. Converse says to clean rubber the same way as the upper and to use a pencil eraser on stubborn marks once the shoe is dry. Cleanipedia suggests wet wipes for scuffs and a patch-tested toothpaste method, and warns against rubbing alcohol on rubber. For yellowing, see our white shoes guide, which compares sole whitening methods, and note that Cleanipedia says a warm, sunny spot helps whiten while drying, whereas Clarks warns direct sun can yellow (Clarks). The sources disagree there.
Black and Leather Converse
Cleanipedia gives a separate route for black Converse: a diluted Surf detergent solution (about two tablespoons) in cold water, with firmer pressure on stains, and drying in an air-conditioned room for about 24 hours. For leather Chucks, none of the three sources gives steps; use our leather shoe cleaning guide.
How to Clean Converse Laces
Converse soaks laces in cold soapy water for about 30 minutes and scrubs gently. Schuh soaks them 2 to 3 hours in its paste mix. Converse warns against warm water. For black laces, Cleanipedia says they can go in the machine with detergent and cold water. Reinsert laces only once the shoes are dry (Schuh).
Mistakes That Ruin Chucks
- Bleach and heavy cleaners. Converse says they can damage canvas, and Schuh says bleach can turn the material yellow.
- Hot water. Cleanipedia says it can loosen the glue.
- Heat to dry. Hair dryers, heaters and clothes dryers can warp the shoe or weaken the glue (Converse).
- Rubbing alcohol on rubber. Cleanipedia says it hardens and damages rubber.
- Gel toothpaste. Cleanipedia says to use white paste, not gel.
- Brown or coloured vinegar. Cleanipedia says to use only white vinegar.
How we checked this
- Steps come from Converse (its Australian story page), Cleanipedia (Unilever) and the blog of the retailer schuh. We name who says each thing.
- The sources disagree on the washing machine and on sunlight, so we show both sides. Our own reading is labelled general advice.
- The Cleanipedia page gives two slightly different baking soda ratios; we quote its main method. We have not tested any of these methods.
Cleaners for Converse
A soft brush and a mild cleaner do most of the work. These are listed on Amazon.
Jason Markk Essential Kit
A cleaning solution plus a brush, a two-piece set for sneakers.
Check it on Amazon
SneakERASERS Overnight Soak
A soak-style sneaker cleaner for canvas and athletic shoes.
Check it on Amazon
Pink Miracle Shoe Cleaner Kit
A cleaner concentrate with a brush. The brand lists canvas, leather, mesh and knit; test a hidden spot first.
Check it on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How do I clean white Converse?
Converse says to scrub canvas with a small squirt of soap in warm water and a soft brush after testing a hidden spot, then wipe with a microfibre cloth and air dry. Cleanipedia uses a baking soda and white vinegar paste.
Can you put Converse in the washing machine?
Converse and Schuh say no. Cleanipedia gives instructions if the brand allows it: mesh bag, gentle low-temperature cycle, mild detergent, towels, no fabric conditioner.
How do I clean the white rubber on Converse?
Converse says to clean it like the upper and use a pencil eraser on stubborn marks once dry. Cleanipedia suggests wet wipes and patch-tested toothpaste, and no rubbing alcohol.
How do I clean Converse laces?
Converse soaks them in cold soapy water for about 30 minutes. Schuh soaks them for 2 to 3 hours in a paste mix.
Can I use bleach on Converse?
Converse says to avoid heavy chemical cleaners and bleach, and Schuh says bleach can turn the material yellow.
How do I dry Converse after cleaning?
Air dry away from hair dryers, heaters and clothes dryers (Converse). Stuffing with newspaper helps (Schuh).
How do I clean black Converse?
Cleanipedia suggests a diluted detergent solution in cold water, firmer pressure on stains, and about 24 hours drying.
How do I clean leather Converse?
None of the three sources covers leather Chucks. Use a leather-specific method and test a hidden spot.
The Short Version
Gentle soap, soft brush, cold or lukewarm water, a patch test, no bleach, no washing machine, and air dry away from heat.
