How To Clean White Vans That Turned Yellow

Black or blue vans come with the ability to keep secrets. The moment they begin getting dirt and stains, you’ll be the first to notice. However, white vans that turn yellow are impossible to ignore, so those classic boots need a little extra maintenance. White Vans are available in both canvas and suede/leather shoes, and the proper cleaning method depends on the material that your canvas is made up off. You can rinse the shoes in stain remover cleaning solution and use a soft bristled brush to gently rub remove stains. So, let’s start reading about the methods of cleaning white vans that turned yellow.

We have discussed some good ways to clean white canvas vans yourself without requiring any assistance. You can find multiple ways to remove stains from shoes because the cleaning solution depends on the material your shoes are made of. If they are white leather vans shoes, then you can use a cleaning paste to spot clean white shoes. However, this method is not helpful when you want clean white vans made with some other material like cloth or denim. So, don’t forget to read this post till the end to know about the exact methods millions of other people and we are using clean your vans at home.

How To Clean White Canvas Slip On Vans That Turned Yellow

Making white shoes stay clean is a big test for the sneaker fans. Lighter color means dirt and deformations are more visible on the sneaker, and you can’t avoid damaging. It’s even harder with the Vans, as the upper portion is made of cotton, which easily traps dirt. If you do not stay careful and clean your white vans periodically, the new brand finish will not be there anymore in seconds. Luckily, there are some best, pocket-friendly, and easy ways to keep your shoes clean all the time. Not only you will be able to clean the surface dirt but also treat the whole stained area.

1. Using Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking soda alone is enough to remove yellow stains from white vans, but the mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is more effective and efficient in doing so if your shoes are heavily soiled. Hydrogen peroxide contains bleaching and disinfecting properties, and you can apply the paste of this mixture in a circular motion on the stained areas with the help of a leather and suede brush to get rid of the marks. You can also remove stubborn stains by using them with baking soda.

Material Required:

• Small laundry basket
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• An old toothbrush or shoe brush with soft bristles
• Wooden spatula or stick
• Cotton clothes
• Neutral liquid detergent (optional)

Steps To Be Followed:

• Place 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a small container.
• Pour a spoonful of hydrogen peroxide into it.
• Now pour 1 tablespoon of room temperature water.
• Mix well all ingredients nicely to form a thick paste. Avoid making the mixture too thin. It dries too quickly and is less effective.
• Make use of a brush to lay out the paste across the upper part of the canvas, making sure all yellow spots are completely covered.
• Now put the white shoes under direct sunlight for at least 30-60 minutes and wait for the paste to dry out completely.
• Wipe off the dry toothpaste with a cotton cloth and rinse the white shoes using cold water.
• If necessary, you can also use a mild detergent to wash the van.
• Allow shoes to air dry in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

2. Using Baking Soda and Tartar Cream

Baking soda or laundry detergent will come in really handy if you just want to wash white vans. If you want, then you can also clean the rubber strip using rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth. Just grab a pair of white leather vans and rub them entirely with a wet cloth with alcohol in it. You will definitely get clean white shoes after following this method. If your shoes are still yellow after washing, then you might need suede cleaner to clean suede vans mixed with lemon juice.

Material Required:

• Baking powder
• Water
• Bucket
• Polish
• Cotton clothes
• Neutral liquid detergent (optional) or dish detergent

Steps To Be Followed:

• Mix 1 part tartar cream and 1 part hot water in a wash bucket.
• Soak your yellow-turned-white shoes in water and soak them in it overnight.
• Take them off and rinse well, and now pour off the extra tartar solution.
• Pour clean, room-temperature water into a bucket and pour mild soap or dish soap
• Properly soak your shoes in soapy water. 
• Scrub your shoes with a soft-bristled shoe brush and rinse clean white bangs with clean water.
• If there is still a yellow stain, clean it using baking soda.
• Mix 1 part warm water and 1 part baking soda to form a paste.
• Spread the paste to your shoes and let it sit for at least two hours or till the time it dries.
• Brush or wipe off the paste nicely.
• Rinse your shoes well and dry them using a clean damp cloth
• Let the white sneakers air dry in a dry, cool place out of the reach of direct sunlight.

3. Using Baking Soda and White Vinegar

White vinegar can also be used to clean white leather vans, as well as shoes made with different types of materials, as it is a good cleaning solution. To clean yellowed white buns using baking soda and white vinegar, follow the steps above and use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, but use white vinegar instead of hydrogen peroxide.

You will need just a small amount of baking soda to clean white vans that turned yellow with time. You can also clean white shoes with baking soda only if the stains are not too deep, as vinegar can destroy the quality of the shoes. Also, do not apply this solution inside of your vans as it must be cleaned with a disinfectant only.

4. Using Baking Soda and Detergent

Baking soda also shows whitening properties and also acts as a natural deodorant. Because these solutions are soft and have minimal oxidizing elements, we recommend using dish soap or liquid detergent to prevent yellowing. You can also use this solution to remove loose stains from your appliances as well as it is a good stain removal solution. If you have a white slip on vans then you can soak it in this solution for a couple of hours and then rub it with a clean cloth.

Material Required:

• Baking powder
• Neutral detergent or dish soap
• toothbrush

Steps To Be Followed:

• Take 1 part baking soda and 1.5 parts mild liquid detergent or dish soap in a small container.
• Using a toothbrush, lay out the paste well over yellow-turned-white canvas shoes and rub off the stained shoes with the prepared paste.
• Let the paste rest on your shoes for at least 20-30 minutes or till the time it dries off.
• Using clean damp cotton cloth and warm water, rinse off the canvas well.
• Allow the shoes to air dry in a dry, cool place out of the reach of direct sun rays.

5. Using Toothpaste

Almost all normal kinds of toothpaste contain abrasive or whitening ingredients, which include hydrogen peroxide, silica, and pyrophosphate. These sheen properties assist in removing yellow stains from white vans. The productiveness of using toothpaste to clean white bangs depends on the degree of staining, the ingredients in the toothpaste, and the percentage of whitening ingredients it contains. It’s generally believed to be less productive cleaning product as compared to the method of using hydrogen peroxide or baking soda, but it undoubtedly can help minimize the yellowing effect. It is best to use white toothpaste without gel for this method. Colored kinds of toothpaste and gel kinds of toothpaste are not very effective and can stain canvas shoes.

Material Required:

• White toothpaste without gel
• Old toothbrush
• Cotton clothes
• Neutral liquid detergent

Steps To Be Followed:

• Put toothpaste on an old, not-in-use toothbrush.
• Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to one’s shoes that have turned yellow or have yellow stains over them.
• Use a toothbrush to scrub the shoes effectively, paying extra attention to the areas with the most yellowing.
• Leave the toothpaste to set on your shoes to penetrate deeper layers of the canvas
• for 20-30 minutes. Wipe well using a damp clean cotton cloth.
• Fill a sink or bowl with water, add a mild liquid detergent and mix well
• Soak a cotton cloth in soapy water, squeeze out excess water, and use it to wipe your shoes
• Then rinse the cloth well using cold, clean, or lukewarm water and wipe out the white sneakers again to rinse.
• Allow shoes to air dry in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

6. Using Magic Eraser

This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to clean canvas vans and restore your favorite white sneakers to their former position. A magic eraser – also called a cleaning eraser or eraser – is a sponge-like block that removes dirt without chemicals. The secret lies in the chemical composition, and it is a very popular stain removal product around the world. Made of melamine foam, it works when wet. This makes the sponge function like extra-fine sandpaper. It can be used to clean walls, floors, bathroom tiles, and white vans. Magic Eraser works wonders in seconds, as shown in the tutorial below. Add a little bleach power, and your van will be back to normal in no seconds! Isn’t that amazing? Of course, it is! So do give this a try and see the results.

How To Clean White Suede Vans Shoes Yellow Stains

When drying your white canvas vans shoes, roll them out completely in a white tissue paper or white paper towels. Cover the inner portion of the shoe with a towel so that there are no gaps. The towel will absorb the loose dirt and detergent residue. Therefore, the fabric may turn yellow because the fabric oxidizes rather than that of the white Vans shoes, but the sneakers do not. Sometimes, you might apply leather conditioner, detergent and vinegar to clean white slip on vans.

FAQs Related To Cleaning White Canvas Vans

Why Do White Vans Turn Yellow After Some Time?

The reason behind turning white shoes yellow is because of oxidation and loose dirt that gather on the surface over the time. This is a type of chemical reaction that takes place when you wash and expose your clothes to the sun’s rays. Cleaning canvas rubber strips is not a hard thing as they can be cleaned by using a clean wet towel or a soft brush. Don’t forget to keep a small bowl full of both hot and cool water.

Is It Good To Use Bleach For Whitening Your Vans?

Yes, it is! You can use bleach over your Vans to make them white again, but it’s important to take care of a few below-mentioned steps to avoid harsh chemicals from destroying your shoes. 

• Make use of only Dilute bleach and 
• Mix it well with dishwashing liquid – make sure both of them are chlorine as well as ammonia free – 
• Use a soft cloth and clean the van with the solution.

How Do I Clean My White Converse Shoes?

There are a few pocket-friendly and easy ways to clean your white converse shoes and restore it to its original white color. Some ways include the usage of the following:

• Hydrogen peroxide 
• Baking soda
• Bleach and dish soap, 
• A magic eraser, 
• Just throw it in the washing machine.

Final Words

The best effective way to clean vans that turned yellow is by using hydrogen peroxide. However, if the yellow stain is not too great or rigid, you can simply make use of vinegar, baking soda, or toothpaste. If you are using a tartar removal cream, you should continue the cleaning process with baking soda or a solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to completely remove the yellowing.

There are many methods available out there that prevent your vans from turning yellow, but it requires consistency and proper cleaning technique. If you know about some other good and working ways to clean white vans, then do let us know about them. Also, keep visiting this page as we keep adding more methods to clean vans that turned yellow.