Can You Wash Converse In The Washing Machine?

Yes! You can wash your converse in the washing machine. But, before you clean your converse, you should be aware of the dos and don’ts of doing so. Otherwise, you may ruin it. 

So, today we will explain effective methods and tips to wash your converse to keep them whitest and new for the longest possible time, and you don’t have to invest in new pair. 

A gentle detergent and hot water is a perfect duo to soak in and clean the converse in the washing machine.  

But this is not as simple as it seems because if you want your converse new as before, follow the detailed procedure, which we will explain. 

Let’s get into the detail.

Can You Wash Converse In The Washing Machine

Related: What Washing Machines Should I Not Buy?

How to Wash Converse in the Washing Machines? 5 Steps

Washing converse in the machines without damaging them is a matter of only a few minutes if you do it the right way.

Don’t just toss them in the machine with other loads and strong detergent. If you want to keep your converse new, you should follow some easy steps. 

Step 1 –Remove Laces

The most crucial first step to follow is removing the laces. Many people ignore this step and toss converse inside the machine without removing them.

If you do not remove the laces, the eyelets of your converse will not get cleaned.

Wash the laces separately to expose your converse to detergent and water properly.

Step 2 –Pre-Clean

None of us want our washing machine to fill up with sand and dirt, so it is important to remove the excess dirt before washing.

Rinse the converse and remove dirt stuck to them. This step will also help get better washing results. 

Step 3 –Use Mesh Bag

Use mesh bags in the washing machine if you don’t want your converse to bang around. Because it is very annoying, and machine turbulence can also damage the fabric.

Zip it up so converse cannot come out of the bag in the middle of the cycle. You can also wash your converse with towels if you don’t have any mesh bags.

The towels will act as a cushion and will stop converse from banging around.

Step 4 –Select Gentle Cycle

When you are washing your favorite converse in the machine, you should always select a gentle cycle and low-temperature water.

High-temperature water can fade the color and damage the quality of the converse.

Do not forget to use mild detergent because harsh chemicals in detergent can fade the color.  

Step 5 –Air Dry your converse

You can also spin the converse in your dryer, but it is not recommended because it can result in shrinkage and wrinkled fabric.

Always air dry the converse, avoid direct heat from any source like sun, furnace, etc. 

How to Clean Converse by Hand – Without Washing Machine

They can shrink when you throw your converse in the washing machine and dryer. They can lose their shape if you overdo the washing converse in the machine.

So we recommend you if your converse is not dirty enough, then clean them by hand.   

We are going to explain the cleaning method and restore your shoe size tips so you can enjoy your day with cleaned converse without having any blisters.

Follow the below-mentioned procedure.

Step 1

Remove the laces; this step must be followed whether you are washing shoes in the machine or cleaning it manually.

Wash them separately in detergent mix in hot water. They are safe to wash frequently. You can also bleach them if required.  

Step 2

Remove excess dirt with a damp cloth and wipe it off properly. Try not to soak the fabric excessively.

Step 3

Remove insoles from the converse, but this step is optional. You can skip it if you do not want to remove the insole.

Step 4

Take baking soda and vinegar in 2:3 ratio quantities. If you do not like the vinegar smell, you can replace it with mild detergent.

Make a paste by mixing the two properly. This mixture is effective for the rubber region around the converse. You can use your old toothbrush to scrub the paste.

Wipe it with a damp cloth, and you can have new, clean rubber. Some detergents already have baking soda inside, so mix that detergent with vinegar and stir well to form a thick texture. 

Step 5

Prepare a solution by adding 1/3 part of vinegar to 2/3 part of water. Add some amount of 1/2 part of baking soda to the solution.

Scrub and clean the fabric part of your converse with this liquid solution. You can use the same brush you have used before. 

This solution will clean the converse without fading the color of the fabric. Clean properly around the eyelets.

Wipe with a clean damp cloth at the end. You can also rinse the converse if you want.  

Step 6

Insert the scrap paper inside the converse firmly to maintain its shape. The paper will avoid the shrinking of the converse pair.

After cleaning, let your shoe air dry. Never dry it under sunlight or a nearby fireplace. 

Why Converse Turns Yellow After Washing?

More than one reason is causing your converse style converse to turn yellow.

The first reason is that you are using bleach on your converse. Bleach has a yellow effect on the white color if misused.

And that effect is irreversible. There is nothing that can undo it. Always dilute the bleach with water before using it.

The other reason is oxidation, which can happen when your converse is exposed to open air and heat for a longer time. 

Sweat sometimes can also be a reason that can turn your converse yellow. Follow the above-mentioned method to remove this yellowness.

What is the Ideal Temperature for Washing Converse?

If your converse is covered with excessive stains and dirt, then use warm water, but the temperature of the water must not exceed 104oF.

Warm water will help to easily remove dirt and stains. But if your converse is not too much soiled, then use cold water.

Because cold water does not fade the color, it helps to maintain the quality of shoes.  

What are the Tips to Maintain White Converse White?

White converse needs extra care and maintenance as compared to color ones. But here is a quick tip that can help you keep your white converse new in the first place. 

Coat your shoes with a water-resistant spray. This will protect your converse from stains and dirt, keeping them whitish. 

How to Get Rid of Bad Odor from Converse? 

If you are sick of your smelly converse, you are not the only one. Use our tips to solve your problem. Sprinkle baking soda inside the insole and leave it for a few hours.

This will help to eradicate the smell. You can also use baking powder along with baking soda for better results. White vinegar is also very effective for smelly converse. 

Try sweat-proof socks because sweat is the only reason that causes bacterial growth, which ends up with smelly converse. 

Medicated powder, disinfectant, and foot antiperspirant can also be used for this purpose.  

Besides these tips, keep your feet clean and washed with anti-bacterial soap to help control odor. 

Conclusion

Yes! You can wash your converse pair in the washing machine, but as long as your converse doesn’t get too much stained, you should always go for hand washing. 

We suggest you check the care tag to know if your shoe brand claims it is safe to machine wash or not.

We have described detailed procedures and tips that can help you take extra care of your converse.

Now that you know all the necessary steps for cleaning your converse, you do not have to worry again about people mocking you.

Follow the procedure wisely, and we can assure you that you do not need to buy a new pair for a long time. 

If you want to know more about shoe cleaning, washing, and care, then check our other articles.  

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Steven Settles Author
Steven Settles

Steven Settles is an ISCET-certified master in appliance repair. He has aced the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam, showcasing his exceptional diagnostic and repair skills. With an in-depth understanding of the latest repair technologies and a keen eye on evolving industry standards, Steven is a go-to expert for any appliance issue.

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