How to clean yellowed Converse soles and stop them yellowing again

White Converse rubber picks up a yellow tinge from dirt, soap residue, sun and age. This guide covers the cleaning Converse officially recommends, the popular home tricks that go beyond it, and habits that keep soles whiter for longer.

Start with what Converse recommends: knock off loose dirt, scrub the rubber with lukewarm water and a little mild soap, wipe away every trace of soap and let the shoes air dry at room temperature, never in a washing machine or dryer. Surface grime usually comes off, but deep yellowing from age and sunlight may only partly fade. Baking soda paste and other home methods are not Converse advice, so test them on a small area first.

• 1. Knock off the loose dirt: Tap the soles together outdoors and brush off any dried mud or dust. Converse says to clear excess dirt before you start on the outsole. Scrubbing over grit only grinds it into the rubber and leaves fine scratches that pick up more grime.
• 2. Mix lukewarm water with a little mild soap: Stir a small squeeze of mild soap or gentle dishwashing liquid into a bowl of lukewarm water. Skip harsh detergents and anything with bleach. Try the mix on a hidden spot first, such as the inside edge of the tongue, to check it does not affect the colour.
• 3. Scrub the rubber sole and toe cap: Dip the brush, tap off the extra water and scrub the sidewalls, toe cap and stripes in small circles. Rubber can take firmer pressure than canvas. Keep the canvas as dry as you can so water does not leave tide marks.
• 4. Wipe away every bit of soap: Go over the rubber with a clean damp cloth until no suds or slippery feel remain. Soap left drying in the textured rubber is one reason soles turn yellow later. Rinse the cloth and wipe again if needed.
• 5. Try a baking soda paste on stubborn yellow (home method): This is not a Converse method. Mix baking soda with a few drops of water into a thick paste, rub it onto the yellowed rubber with the brush, leave it for a few minutes and wipe it off completely. Keep it off coloured canvas, and stop if it is not helping after one or two tries.
• 6. Use a melamine sponge on marks (home method): A damp melamine cleaning sponge can lift scuffs and grey marks from rubber, but it is mildly abrasive. Use light pressure, only on the rubber, and never on the canvas or printed heel patch.
• 7. Dry at room temperature, out of direct heat: Stuff the shoes with plain paper to hold their shape and let them dry in an airy room, swapping the paper if it gets soggy. Converse advises against direct heat. Avoid the hot afternoon sun, a geyser room, an iron or a hair dryer, as heat and strong UV can make yellowing worse.
• 8. Store them away from sunlight: Keep your Converse on a shoe rack or in a breathable box away from windows. Long exposure to sunlight is a common cause of rubber yellowing. A quick wipe of the soles after each muddy day stops grime from settling in.