You just bought yourself some brand new Vans shoes. The questions you might have now are: Can I put my Vans shoes in the washing machine? Can I dry them in the dryer? How do I treat difficult stains?
Let’s take a closer look at those questions.
Can You Put Vans In The Washing Machine?
Yes, you can. Vans shoes that are made from a canvas material can safely be washed in your washer. Somethings to keep in mind are, to put the washer on the gentle cycle, use gentle detergent and don’t forget to dry them properly.
Many choose to use this method when they don’t have much time to wash them by hand, or when they start to smell and they want to give them a quick wash.
That being said, I think the best way for you to wash your shoes would be by hand. This allows you to get an up-close look at your shoes and it is much easy (much more effective) to address those difficult stains.
How To Wash Your Vans In The Washer
Now, that we know that it is safe to put our shoes in the washing machine, let’s talk about how to do it…
- Begin by removing the laces and any other liners or inserts (leaving them in, could result in damage). Place the laces inside the shoes so that they get washed and you set the liner/inserts aside to be wash by hand at a later time.
- Next, place your shoes and laces (now separated) in a bag that is designated for delicate items. This will keep them together and prevent them from banging around during the process. If you don’t have such a bag, any old pillowcase will work. Another way to prevent your shoes from making a lot of noise is to place your shoes in a full load.
- Throw in some detergent. Please note: Because Vans are made of canvas, they are durable enough to be placed in the washer, however, caution is needed when choosing the detergent. It is important to use a gentle detergent. No harsh such as liquids, such as bleach, should be used. It might be tempting to use a little bleach to make your Vans white again, but don’t do it. It can damage your shoes. Instead, follow the guide below on how to treat stains.
- Set the washer to a gentle cycle using cold water only.
- After the spin cycle, remove your shoes from the bag, dry them off with a towel and allow them to air dry overnight.
You may also enjoy reading: Steel Toe Shoes That Look LIke Vans
Can I Put My Vans In The Dryer?
No, you can not put your vans shoes in the dryer to dry. Because they are made with a canvas material the heat might cause them to shrink resulting in irreversible damage. With that being said, the best way to dry your Vans is to place, paper towels inside and allow them to sit overnight.
With that said, even though it might be tempting to throw your vans in the dryer, DON’T DO IT.
How To Treat Stains Your Vans And Make Them Look, White, Again
One of the things that give Vans that classic look is that white strip along the bottom. But let me tell you, it is difficult keeping that strip white. And if you think you can just place your shoes in the washer and they will come out sparkling white, I hate to tell you, but you are mistaken.
For that reason, let’s talk about some household items that you can use to restore your shoes so that they look brand new again. Keep in mind that many of these methods can also be used to pretreat your shoes before placing them in the washing machine.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. What did we do to treat stains before the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser came along? This thing cleans everything. And yes! It can be used to clean your Vans. Simple wet your eraser and start scrubbing your shoes. Once you feel like the stains have been treated, toss them in the washer and you are good to go.
Baking Soda and Vinegar. Did you know that baking soda is used in toothpaste? The reason is that it works so well in restoring your teeth to those pearly whites.
Not only does it work well on your teeth, but it can also work well on making your shoes white again, especially when treating those difficult grass stains.
Simply mix some baking soda with warm water until you have a paste. Next, rub the paste into the affected area. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then rinse with water. Repeat if necessary.
To treat very difficult stains you can spice things up by adding vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to the mix.
Don’t have any baking soda around the house? No problem. You can also use your toothpaste, but make sure that it is the kind that has baking soda. If it does, simply apply to your shoes and then give it a rinse.
Still not convinced that this method works? Check out the following video:
Lemon Juice. Who knew that those lemons sitting around the house could be used as a stain remover. Simply mix 1 part lemon juice with 4 parts water. Next, with a white cloth or a toothbrush, treat the affected area. Once treated rinse with water and clean as you normally would.
Stain Remover. Another quick and easy way to treat stains on your shoes is with a stain remover. Simply spray on, scrub if needed, and lastly rinse. It is just that easy. One stain remover that I would recommend is Krud Kutter Sport Stain Remover. It is easy to use and specifically designed for such fabrics. It is also a great way to pre-treat stain before throwing your shoes in the wash.
You may also enjoy reading: How To Wear Shoes Without Socks And Now Sweat
Cleaning Your White Vans
Can you put white vans in the washing machine?
Yes, you can put your white canvas vans in the washer. Remember to wash them with other whites so that the colors don’t bleed onto your beautiful shoes.
Simply follow the steps mentioned early and before you know it your shoes will be white again.
Can You Use Bleach On Your White Vans?
Yes, you can bleach your white vans, but do not pour the bleach directly on the shoe itself. In order not to damage the shoe it first needs to be diluted. My recommendation would be to dilute the bleach with 5 parts bleach and 1 part water.
Keep in mind that undiluted bleach will turn your white vans yellow.
Can You Put White Vans In The Dryer?
No, you should not put your white vans in the dryer. When canvas material dries too quickly it can lead to cracks as well as permanent damage to the shoe. Remember the best way to dry your vans is air dry only.
Can You Clean White Vans With Toothpaste?
Yes, any non-gel toothpaste (preferably on that contains baking soda) will do great in making your shoes white again. Simply lather up your shoes, get out the toothbrush and start scrubbing. It is that easy.
Can You Wash White Vans With Oxiclean?
Yes, OxiClean is a great way to treat those difficult stains. You can apply it directly to the stain itself or you can pour in some OxiClean when you throw your shoes in the washer.
Can Clean White Vans With Dish Soap?
No, I would not recommend using dish shop when treating difficult stains. This is because dish soap is a degreaser. It is designed to cut grease not stains in fabrics. For that reason, when treating difficult stains, I would use either toothpaste, baking soda, bleach or OxiClean.
Can You Clean White Vans With Hydrogen Peroxide?
Yes, hydrogen peroxide is a great way to clean your shoes. Simply, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1/2 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with a little bit of water to create a paste.
Then apply this paste to any stains or scuffs. Lastly, wipe off your shoes with a wet cloth and you are good to go.
Cleaning Your Suede Vans
Can you put suede vans in the washing machine?
No, if your suede vans in the washer they will get water spots and be permanently damaged. It is always best to wash these shoes by hand with a cleaner designed specifically for suede.
Can Suede Vans Get Wet?
When real suede shoes get wet, they will get spots and be permanently damaged. For that reason, once you notice that your suede vans has water spots on them, immediately use a paper towel or something else to absorb the water before it dries and they are ruined.
Can Suede Vans Be Washed?
No, suede vans can’t be washed like other shoes. The best way to clean them is with a suede brush.
Cleaning Checkered Vans
Can you put checkered vans in the washer?
Yes, as long as they are made from a canvas material they can go in the washing machine with a load of clothes.
For best results, follow the steps mentioned earlier.
Can You Bleach Checkered Vans?
No, you can not bleach checkered vans as it will fade the darker colors and ruin your shoes.
Final Thoughts…
So, can my vans be placed in the washer? Yes, they can as long as they are made of canvas. However, to treat those difficult stains, follow the above suggestions so that your shoes coming out looking white again.
Please share with us your experience. What methods have you found to be effective in cleaning Vans? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
