Vans are classic shoes that come in many styles and materials.

Learn how to restore your canvas, leather, and suede Vans shoes to their original luster.

Before You Begin

Before cleaning canvas, leather, or suede Vans, remove theshoelacesand removable insoles.

Insoles being removed from dirty white vans

The Spruce / Almar Creative

If the laces are very dirty and dingy, add a teaspoon of powderedoxygen bleachto the soaking solution.

Insoles can be hand-washed or replaced.

Removing this layer of dust will make the shoes easier to clean.

Dirty white vans with ingredients and tools to clean

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Use a shoe brush or vacuum-cleaner upholstery brush or even an old, dry toothbrush to remove the soil.

The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to loosen soil; thehydrogen peroxidehelps to whiten stained areas.

Rinse by dipping amicrofiber clothin clean water.

Dirty white vans fabric scrubbed by toothbrush to remove dust layer

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Wring until just damp and wipe down the shoes.

Allow the Vans to air-dry in a spot with good air circulation but away from direct sunlight.

Allow the shoes to air-dry away from direct sunlight.

Cleaning solution for white vans mixed in small bowl

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Leave the powder on the stain for at least one hour and then brush it away.

For scuffs and stains from soil, gently rub the suede with an art gum eraser.

Blot the treated area with a paper towel to absorb moisture.

Dirty white vans fabric scrubbed by small scrub brush

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Use a damp melamine eraser to clean the white rubber soles.

Be careful not to accidentally scrub the suede with the eraser because it can permanently damage the suede.

Tips to Keep Your White Vans Looking Great

Hand-washing your Vanswill prevent your shoes from being ruined.

Dirty white van’s rubber soles scrubbed by melamine sponge

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Simply use a bit of warm water and gentle liquid dish soap with a soft brush or clean cloth.

However, if a stain won’t budge, you may visit aprofessionalfor more specialized advice.

To protect white canvas Vans after every cleaning, prime them with awater/stain protectant.

Wet microfiber cloth wiping loose soil from white leather van shoes

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Treat suede Vans with a special suede protector spray.

Swish the water to create suds.

Rinse the shoes using a moist cloth.

White Vans soles being cleaned with melamine sponge

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Air-dry or dry shoes with a towel.

Castile soap and water solution lathering top of white leather Vans

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

White leather Vans laid on brown rug to air dry outside next to laces

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Loose soil scrubbed off white suede Vans with soft-bristled brush

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Cornstarch sprinkled on top of white suede Vans to remove stains

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Melamine eraser rubbing suede Vans soles

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

White suede Vans placed on brown rug to air dry in sunlight

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic