Vans shoes were originally made to withstand skatepark wear and tear. And, even though they’re used today for all sorts of activities on and off the skate ramp, we still design them to be tough and durable. But even the toughest shoes need a little extra love from time to time - especially if you wear them day in and day out.
Whether it’s mud, water stains, or just discoloration over a long period of time, your Vans can start to look tired after a while. But, fear not, because you can get your favorite pair of Sk8 Hi or Classic Slip-On sneakers back to their former glory with our official DIY guide on how to clean Vans.
HOW TO CLEAN VANS – YOUR TOP QUESTIONS ANSWERED
If you’re not sure how to clean your Vans, you’re not alone. From ‘How to clean white Vans’ to ‘Can you put Vans in the dryer’, we’ve got the answers to the most commonly asked questions about cleaning suede, leather and canvas Vans.
CAN YOU PUT VANS IN THE WASHER?
‘Can you wash vans in the washer’ is probably the top question we get asked. Even though putting them in the wash sounds like a quick and easy solution, we don’t recommend it. There’s the possibility of damaging your shoes, even if you put them in a pillowcase. To keep your Vans durable and comfortable for as long as possible, just avoid the washing machine altogether.
CAN YOU PUT VANS IN THE DRYER?
We don’t recommend putting your Vans in the dryer as it could damage your shoes. Instead, we suggest giving them plenty of time to air dry fully. This may take a little more time but it will help to make sure that your Vans last longer, making it worthwhile for your feet and your wallet.
HOW DO YOU WASH VANS SHOES?
The answer to this depends on the type of material your shoes are made of. The best way to clean Vans shoes that are made from leather is different to the best way to treat canvas or suede. Scroll down below for step-by-step guides on cleaning all the different types of Vans shoes.
WHAT ABOUT THE INSIDE OF MY VANS?
Even though it’s not on public display, it can be nice to freshen up the inside of your Vans. A paste made from baking soda and mild detergent is a great way to whiten the inside of your Vans. Take a small cleaning brush or toothbrush and work the mixture into the inside of your shoes. Leave it for up to 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and air dry.
Top tip: Make sure you put a towel down on your work surface before you get started.
HOW TO SAFELY BLEACH THE WHITE STRIP ON YOUR VANS
Most Vans have a white rubber strip along the outside of the sole to give them a distinctive edge. Your first instinct might be to reach for the bleach, but that’s not how to clean white Vans. In fact, bleach could turn your shoes yellow - and nobody wants stained shoes.
Restore the white strip on your Vans using these steps.
- Choose a clear work surface and cover it with a dry towel or sheet.
- Use masking tape to cover the material of the shoe and avoid damaging the top or sides with any stray cleaning product.
- Fill a small cup with a cleaning product from our recommended list: white vinegar, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, or acetone. You could also use a foaming cleaner from the Vans shoe care travel kit.
- Take an old toothbrush or small, soft-bristled cleaning brush, dip it into the cleaning solution and gently buff the white rubber in a small circular motion.
- Wipe with a clean, damp cloth and you’re done!
You can use the same method to clean the rubber sole of your Vans too - but be sure to get any loose dirt and sand off with a brush first
CLEANING LEATHER OR SUEDE VANS
Leather and suede Vans can last for years, so they’re bound to get a little worn as you tear up skate ramps or hit the pavement each day. Giving your Vans a quick clean on a regular basis will help to keep them looking fresher for longer. If you’ve neglected your Vans for longer periods of time, they might need a bit of a deeper clean.
Luckily, we’ve put together a guide on how to clean Vans shoes quickly, as well as how to deep clean your suede and leather Vans.
HOW TO CLEAN SUEDE VANS - QUICK CLEAN
Step 1
Brush any loose dirt and dust off your shoes with a soft-bristled suede brush.
Step 2
Remove dark stains by patting them gently with a cloth dampened in equal parts water and white vinegar. Be careful not to soak the whole shoe.
Step 3
Use a magic eraser to clean the rubber strip around the outside of your suede Vans.
Step 4
Leave your Vans to air dry.
HOW TO CLEAN SUEDE VANS - DEEP CLEAN
Step 1
Use a soft suede brush to remove surface dirt from the tops, sides, and bottoms of your shoes.
Step 2
To get a deep clean on tough stains, use a small amount of specialist suede cleaner on a toothbrush and work it into the stained areas of the suede.
Step 3
Clean the rubber strip and bottoms with soap and water, using a toothbrush or soft-bristled scrubbing brush.
Step 4
Leave your Vans to air dry.
HOW TO WASH VANS - LEATHER DEEP CLEAN
Step 1
Start by removing excess dirt from the bottoms, sides and tops of your shoes with a shoe brush.
Step 2
Clean your leather shoes using Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel and a synthetic brush.
Step 3
Once your shoes are clean, apply a waterproofing spray to the leather and the stitching (again, we recommend Nikwax).
Step 4
Leave your shoes to air dry naturally for 24 hours.
HOW TO WASH VANS - LEATHER QUICK CLEAN
For quick cleaning leather shoes, feel free to skip step 3 above. Instead, just leave your shoes to air dry overnight after cleaning them.
CLEANING CANVAS VANS
Lots of people are confused on how to clean canvas shoes, but cleaning canvas Vans can be easy when you learn the methods. The quick clean and deep clean methods below are suitable for synthetic and canvas Vans. You could also invest in a Vans Shoe Care Kit for top results. And remember, we don’t recommend putting your Vans shoes in the washer or dryer!
CANVAS QUICK CLEAN
Step 1
Use a brush to remove loose dirt and mud before you start cleaning the fabric.
Step 2
Use warm, soapy water and a toothbrush to clean the tops, sides and rubber strip of your Vans, working gently to remove stubborn stains.
Step 3
Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the surface and remove any remaining soap suds.
Step 4
Leave to air dry, allowing plenty of time for them to dry thoroughly before you wear them again.
CANVAS DEEP CLEAN
Step 1
Remove loose dirt or mud using a shoe brush, taking care to clean the rubber strips and bottoms.
Step 2
Spot-clean stubborn stains by pre-treating them with a stain remover. Apply directly to the stains and leave for 15 minutes.
Step 3
Remove the insoles and laces from your Vans, then hand wash your canvas shoes with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
Remember - we don’t recommend machine washing your Vans. This might seem like less hassle but it’s likely to damage the shoes.
Step 4
Wrap your damp Vans in a towel and press any excess water out before leaving them to air dry.
Step 5
Clean your shoelaces in a bowl of warm water mixed with a small amount of mild laundry detergent. Clean the insoles by scrubbing them with a mix of baking soda and mild laundry detergent on a toothbrush or a soft-bristle brush. Leave the paste on for 15 minutes before rinsing and air-drying your laces.
GO FORTH AND CLEAN YOUR VANS!
So there you have it - the definitive guide on how to clean Vans shoes (as well as how not to!). With a few basic ingredients, a little patience, and the knowledge to steer clear of the washing machine, you can now enjoy your favorite pair of Vans shoes for even longer.
