There’s nothing like wearing a a new pair of white sneakers for a crisp and fresh look. But on a quick walk through the park later, you’ll notice the scuffs and stains have started to form on the outsole and rubber sides your favorite slip-ons. No matter how careful you are, wearing something white (think jeans, shirt, or shoes) can sometimes feel like a disaster waiting to happen. A drop of coffee during your morning commute or an unexpected downpour on your way home from the park and poof! Like magic, your white Vans go from bright white to somber gray. And if you’re brave enough to go skateboarding in a pair of white high tops? You’ll want to keep this step-by-step guide from the Good Housekeeping Institute cleaning experts. We’ve tested both store-bought and DIY shoe cleaners to find the best ways to clean all types of shoes, mastering the art dusting off another favorite white shoe, the Converse All Star Low Top Sneakerand even take on smelly assignments tested many shoe deodorizers.
This step-by-step guide will get all your white Vans looking like new again. Best of all, most of our expert-recommended products you likely already have at home.
How to clean a white canvas van
What do you need:
- Soft brush (or your vacuum’s round dusting brush)
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
- Mister Clean Magic Eraser
- Remove loose dust or dirt. To avoid a bigger mess on your white canvas Vans, remove the laces and use a soft brush or round dusting brush on the vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dust or dirt on the surface of the shoe.
- Mix a thin paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and warm water. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, ½ tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, and ½ tablespoon of warm water to form a thin paste. The hydrogen peroxide acts like an all-fabric bleach to bleach canvas and the baking soda helps remove scuffs and stains.
- Rub your shoes gently with the paste. Dip an old toothbrush or soft brush into the paste and gently scrub your shoes in a circular motion.
- Wipe the surface of your sneakers with a clean, damp cloth to rinse them. Dip a clean cloth in the water and wring it out until it’s damp. Wipe your sneakers thoroughly with a cloth, being careful not to saturate the material.
- Clean the rubber outsole with the same paste or GH Seal Star Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. If using the same baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and warm water paste, follow the steps above. To clean the rubber outsole with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, wet the pad, squeeze out excess water and rub over the outsole until clean.
- Let it dry. Set your canvas Vans to dry in a cool place, away from sunlight.
How to clean a white van
Most of the steps for cleaning a white Van are the same as above, with some minor but very important adjustments.
What do you need:
- Soft brush (or your vacuum’s round dusting brush)
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
- Leather conditioner
- Remove loose dust or dirt. Remove the shoelaces and use a soft brush or round dusting brush on the vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dust or dirt on the surface of the shoes.
- Mix a thin paste of baking soda and warm water. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and ½ tablespoon of warm water to form a thin paste.
- Rub your shoes gently with the paste. Dip an old toothbrush or soft brush into the paste and gently scrub your shoes in a circular motion.
- Wipe the surface of your sneakers with a clean, damp cloth to rinse them. Dip a clean cloth in the water and wring it out until it’s damp. Wipe your sneakers thoroughly with a cloth.
- Clean the rubber sole with the same paste or with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. If using the same baking soda and warm water paste, follow the steps above. To clean the rubber outsole with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, wet the pad, squeeze out excess water and rub over the outsole until clean.
- Let it dry. Dry your Vans in a cool place, away from sunlight.
- Apply leather conditioner to the shoes. For extra protection, apply a leather conditioner, such as GH seal holder Furniture Clinic Leather Protection Cream, to help keep the skin soft and supple.
How to clean Vans white suede
Suede shoes are notorious for staining easily — water, dust, and dirt can all cause unsightly stains in the material. Suede shoes that have been exposed to a rainstorm should be left to dry in a well-ventilated area overnight, with a paper towel or shoe pad stuffed inside to keep their shape. To treat new or old stains and restore suede on a pair of Vans suede, follow the steps below.
For Vans suede with a fresh stain:
What do you need:
- Dry the stain. Using a clean paper towel, blot (don’t rub) any stains on the surface of the shoes.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Let the baking soda soak and absorb the stain overnight, then gently dust off the powder.
- If the stain is still there, use a suede cleaner. Our experts recommend Kiwi Suede Cleaner.
- Brush the shoe gently to restore the suede. The key here is to brush in the direction of the grain, not back and forth or in circles. This can cause further damage to the suede. If you used a suede cleaner, wait until the shoes are completely dry to scrub the fibers out.
- Clean the rubber sole with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Wet the pad, squeeze out excess water and rub over the outsole until clean.
- Apply a suede protector. The suede protector will help prevent further stains or other damage to your vans suede.
For Vans suede with old stains:
What do you need:
- Gently rub or scrape the stain off the surface of the shoe. Using a special suede brush (or toothbrush) is your best bet for completing this step without causing damage. Brush in the direction of the grain. If this doesn’t work, you can try applying a suede remover to the stain to remove it.
- Steam the matted area for a few seconds. If the stain has disappeared, but has left a patch of tangles, use your favorite clothes steamer on low setting to lightly steam the area, then work it into the grain with a suede brush. If the stain persists, take your Vans suede to a shoe repair shop so a professional can have it checked.
- Clean the rubber sole with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Wet the pad, squeeze out excess water and rub over the outsole until clean.
- Apply a suede protector.
Can I put my white Vans in the washing machine?
We think it’s safest to hand wash a pair of shoes, especially when they’re new. But we get it, sometimes you might be on time. If you want to try it, only Canvas Vans may be put in the washing machine. Note that machine washing may cause your sneakers to shrink or lose their shape.
Here’s the best way to wash your shoes in the washing machine: Put your sneakers in a mesh bag to help keep their shape and throw in some old white towels to balance and support the weight. Choose a gentle cycle on your machine, cold or warm water, and low or medium spin speed.
Skip the dryer. Instead, fill wet Vans with white paper towels and let them air dry out of the heat and sunlight.
Should I bleach my white Vans?
Not! Keep bleach off your Vans! Bleach is too harsh to use on white Vans – especially leather and suede ones. Many people have even noted that after using bleach to clean their white shoes, they found that they turned yellow instead of being reverted to their original whiteness.
Why do white Vans turn yellow after washing?
Several things can cause your white Vans to turn yellow after you wash them. As mentioned above, many people find that using bleach causes yellow stains on white shoes after they dry. Exposing freshly washed shoes to direct sunlight can also cause discoloration. Also, residue from shoe cleaner that isn’t rinsed properly from white shoes can leave a yellow tint.
Tips for keeping your white Vans in top shape
- Before your first use and after every cleaning, spray Vans with a water and stain repellent spray to help it stay clean longer. GH Cleaning Lab loves the Kiwi Sneaker Protector for leather and canvas shoes. The brand also has suede and nubuck protectors.
- Keep white Vans out of direct sunlight and out of damp, damp environments to prevent yellowing.
- Clean stains and remove light dust as soon as you find it. The longer they sit on your Vans, the harder it will be to remove them later.
- Sometimes all your Vans need is a quick wash of laces to make them look like new. Untie your shoelaces and wash them separately with a mixture of mild soap and warm water. Rinse and let dry on its own before putting your laces back on.
- Before using any cleaning product on your white Vans, read the directions carefully and test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the shoe to make sure it doesn’t cause damage.
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Executive Director of Home Care & Cleaning Lab
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using in-depth analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaners, textiles, and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has written numerous books and bookstores for the brand and partnered with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce Discover Cleaning. summit. He holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science from Queens College, City University of New York.
Home Care & Cleaning Laboratory Review Analyst
Jodhaira (she) is a product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tests and writes about homewares, cleaning products, and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH in 2021, he graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental laboratory in Queens.
