Easy Ways to Wash Black and White and Checkered Vans

Co-authored by Marc Sigal and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: November 25, 2022 References

If you wear your sneakers a lot, there may come a time when they’re just too dirty to put on again. Whether you’re rocking the classic black Vans with a white stripe or the checkered black and white Vans, looking your best is just an afternoon away. With some basic cleaning supplies and a little bit of elbow grease, you can give your shoes a quick spot treatment or a full deep clean in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Checkered Vans

1
Take the laces out if your Vans have them. If you’re working with lace-up Vans, carefully unlace your shoelaces and set them aside. If you have slip-ons, don’t worry about it!^{[1]
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- If your shoelaces are dirty, soak them in a bowl of warm, soapy water for 20 minutes, then rinse them and let them air dry.
2
Treat spots and stains with baking soda. Mix 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of baking soda, ¹⁄₂ US tbsp (7.4 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, and ¹⁄₂ US tbsp (7.4 mL) of warm water in a small bowl. Use a toothbrush to scrub out small spots and stains on your shoes.^{[2]
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- If your shoes only needed a quick spot treatment, you don’t have to move on to hand washing. Just let them air dry before putting them back on.
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3
Wash the checkered parts with warm, soapy water. Fill a bowl with warm water and add 1 to 2 drops of mild dish soap or laundry detergent. Dip a rag into the mixture and wipe your shoes in a circular motion, focusing on any areas that are really dirty or grimy.^{[3]
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- Feel free to wash the underside of your Vans with your rag, too.
- Washing your Vans with soap and water won’t cause the colors to run, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your black fading or the white-looking dingy.
4
Wipe down the surface with a clean cloth. Use a clean, dry cloth to get off any remaining soap suds or bubbles. Scrub extra hard around the soles, since those tend to get the dirtiest.^{[4]
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- If there are still a lot of soap suds on your shoes, use a damp cloth to wipe them down instead of a dry one.
5
Paint your shoes with acrylic paint if they’re faded. If there are any areas on your Vans that look a little dingy, grab some black and white acrylic paint. Dip a small, flat paintbrush into the paint, then use it to cover any squares that look faded.^{[5]
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- If you can’t find acrylic paint, use fabric paint instead.
- Be super careful as you paint and try to stay in the squares as best you can.
6
Set your shoes out to air dry. Put your Vans in a cool, dry spot that’s not in direct sunlight. Let them dry completely before you put them back on to avoid any mold or mildew.^{[6]
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- Don’t put your Vans in the dryer! It could shrink or warp the material.
- Setting your shoes in direct sunlight could make them fade, so keep them in the shade if you’re outside.
EXPERT TIP

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist

To dry your Vans out efficiently, try stuffing them with crumpled paper. Then, set them in front of a running fan.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Black Canvas, Suede, and Leather

1
Wipe off dirt with a brush, cloth, or wet towel. If your Vans have any clumps of dirt or grime on them, quickly brush them off with a wet towel or cloth. You can do this outside if your shoes are super dirty so you don’t track a bunch of mud into the house.^{[7]
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- This will make your actual cleaning so much easier.
2
Use a mixture of baking soda and water to spot treat your canvas shoes. Combine 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of baking soda, ¹⁄₂ US tbsp (7.4 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, and ¹⁄₂ US tbsp (7.4 mL) of warm water in a small bowl. Dip a clean toothbrush into your mixture and scrub it in a circular motion to get rid of stains or spots.^{[8]
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- You can also mix lukewarm water with a little dish detergent if you need a deeper clean. Just dip your brush into the soapy water and scrub the shoes until they're clean, then blot them with a clean, dry towel.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- If your Vans only needed a spot treatment (meaning they weren’t super dirty), you can stop here! If they still need a little more work, move on to hand washing.
3
Dab your suede Vans with white vinegar and water. Make a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water in a small bowl. Use a cloth to gently dab the mixture onto any spots or stains on the body of your shoe, then let your shoes dry.^{[10]
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- Suede can get stained easily, which is why you can’t use baking soda on it.
4
Use Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel on leather Vans. Grab a synthetic brush and gently dab the cleaning gel onto any spots or stains. Gently wipe the gel off with a towel to remove dirt and water spots.^{[11]
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- You can find leather cleaning gel at most shoe stores.
5
Remove your laces and your insoles. Gently pull out the laces in your shoes (if they aren’t slip-ons) and set them aside. Pop-out the insole by grabbing the bottom of the inside of your shoe and pulling.^{[12]
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- Set both of these aside for later.
6
Wash your Vans with warm water and mild detergent. In a large bowl, mix up warm water and a few drops of dish soap or laundry detergent. Dip a rag into the mixture and wipe your shoes in a circular motion, focusing on the really dirty areas. Keep scrubbing until your Vans look mostly clean.^{[13]
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- If the bottoms of your Vans are dirty, use a rag to wipe them off, too.
- If your Vans are made of leather or suede, don’t use this method. Instead, buy leather cleaner or suede cleaner and gently dab it on with a synthetic brush.
7
Squeeze your Vans with a dry towel. Use a separate towel to get the majority of the moisture out of your shoes before moving on. Use the towel to pat your shoes dry as best you can.^{[14]
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- Your Vans won’t be totally dry at this point, so it’s okay if they’re still wet. Just make sure they aren't dripping.
8
Set your shoes out to air dry. Put your shoes in a cool, dry area that’s not in direct sunlight. Leave them out until they’re fully dry, which could be a few hours or even days.^{[15]
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- To speed up the drying process, consider pointing a fan at the shoes.^{[16]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- You can also put crumpled paper towels or newspaper inside of the shoes to help them dry. Just keep in mind that if the insides of your Vans are white, newspaper ink could bleed onto the shoes.^{[17]
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  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- Don’t wear your Vans until they’re completely dry! If you wear them while they’re wet, they could get a little smelly.
- Although it might seem like a good idea to speed up the drying process with your dryer, this could shrink your Vans or warp them.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

White Soles and Laces

1
Cover your work area with a towel. Some of your cleaning products could stain or bleach furniture. Pick a flat surface, like a table or a countertop, and cover it with an old towel or a drop cloth.^{[18]
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2
Soak your shoelaces in a bowl of soapy water for 20 minutes. Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Put your shoelaces in the bowl and make sure they’re fully covered, then let them soak for 20 minutes. When time is up, take them out of the water and rinse them until the water runs clear.^{[19]
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- You can let your shoelaces soak as you wash the rest of your shoes.
3
Use masking tape to cover the black parts of your shoe. Harsh cleaning agents can bleach the body of your shoes and make them turn yellow or orange. Use strips of masking tape to cover the black parts of your Vans completely, leaving only the white stripe and soles exposed.^{[20]
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- If you don’t have masking tape, painter’s tape will work, too.
4
Fill a small cup with white vinegar, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, or acetone. You can use whatever you have on hand to get the whites of your shoes super clean. You’ll only need a little bit, so fill up a small dish or cup with your product and put it nearby.^{[21]
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- While some of these might smell strong, they aren’t harsh enough to hurt your Vans. Tough chemicals, like bleach, can melt the adhesive in your soles and make your shoes break down, so stick to more mild ones.
5
Use a cotton pad to rub the product onto the white parts of your Vans. Dip your cotton pad into your cleaning solution, then pick an area to start. Use small, circular motions to clean off dirt and grime, and focus on any areas that are really dirty (like the soles).^{[22]
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- Try not to get any of your cleaning products onto the black parts of your shoe. If you do, rinse your shoes in cold water right away to avoid discoloration.
6
Wipe your shoes off with a clean, damp cloth. When your Vans look clean, use a wet washcloth to wipe off any cleaning product that might be left. Leave your Vans out to air dry for about 20 minutes before putting them back on again.^{[23]
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- You can also take the tape off at this point, too.

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How do I clean muddy sneakers?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

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Mix a little lukewarm water and mild cleaning detergent in a bucket, then dip an old clean toothbrush into the water. Use that to scrub the shoe anywhere that's needed. Then, take a towel or a microfiber cloth and blot the soapy moisture off of the shoe. Once you're done with that, keep the shoe in a dry, well-ventilated area so it dries out.