What do I need to remove varnish stains from my Converse shoes?

You'll need a soft toothbrush, baking soda, white vinegar, laundry detergent, and rubbing alcohol.

How do I remove the varnish stain from my Converse shoes?

Scrape off as much of the excess varnish as possible. Then create a cleaning solution by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of white vinegar. Next, scrub the mixture into the varnish stain and rinse it off with warm water. Then wash the stain using laundry detergent. Lastly, use rubbing alcohol on the stain and rinse with warm water.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Varnish > Converse

Effective Tips On How To Clean Varnish Stains From Your Converse

If you're like most people, you want your Converse shoes looking new and clean no matter how much you wear them. One of the biggest threats to your favorite pair of sneakers is varnish stains; they're difficult to remove because of their sticky texture. Thankfully, we've put together a guide detailing best ways to remove these stains from your Converse shoes.

Updated 21 Jun 2023

By Brane Lukman

What You'll Need

Soft toothbrush
Baking soda
White vinegar
Laundry detergent
Rubbing alcohol

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess Varnish

The first step in removing a varnish stain from your Converse shoes is to scrape off as much of the excess varnish as possible. Doing this will make the cleaning process much easier. Use a soft toothbrush to scrape off the excess varnish. Make sure not to use too much force when scraping; you don't want to damage the material of your shoes.

Step 2: Create a Cleaning Solution

Once you've scraped off the excess varnish, it's time to create a cleaning solution. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of white vinegar. Stir the mixture until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to varnish stain and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub and Rinse

Next, take a soft toothbrush and scrub the mixture into the varnish stain. Make sure to be gentle so you don't damage material. Once the stain has been scrubbed, rinse it off with warm water.

Step 4: Wash with Detergent

After rinsing off the cleaning solution, it's time to wash the stain using laundry detergent. Pour a small amount of detergent onto the stain and use a soft cloth to scrub it in. Let the detergent sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

Step 5: Use Rubbing Alcohol

The last step in removing varnish stains from your Converse shoes is to use rubbing alcohol. Take a cotton ball or cloth and pour some rubbing alcohol directly onto it. Gently dab the cloth onto the stain and let the rubbing alcohol sit for a few minutes. Once rubbing alcohol has had time to work its magic, rinse off the stain with warm water.

Conclusion

Varnish stains can be a hassle to remove from your Converse shoes, but with the steps outlined above, it's easy to get rid of them. Just make sure to be gentle when scrubbing and be patient; this may take multiple attempts before the stain comes out completely. With patience and the right cleaning materials, you'll be able to get rid of those varnish stains and have your Converse shoes looking brand new.

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