How to Clean Vans turned Yellow & Tips to Stop Yellowing

Have you noticed your pearly white Vans turning yellow? Well, don’t worry there are some simple things you can do to clean them and make them white again.

Also, did you know that you can prevent your white Vans from turning yellow, gonna share some tips at the end of the article, so keep on reading.

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Why White Vans Turn Yellow

Your white vans can become yellow from use, sweat, environmental factors or improper cleaning practices.

For example, using bleach that is too strong (not diluted enough) or leaving the bleach on your shoes too long can cause them to become yellow.

Another example is that sometimes the sun can cause the fibers to return to their natural yellow color, especially in fabric shoes.

On the other hand, some dyes on leather shoes can react to the sun or the bleaching and cleaning process and become yellow.

How To Clean Yellow Stains Off Of White Vans

If your Vans have already become yellow-stained, do not panic. There are a few things you can do to clean them.

1- Use Detergent & White Vinegar

Get a basin big enough to hold your shoes and add 0.5 liters of lukewarm water to it.
Add one teaspoon of detergent and stir it into the water.

Give the detergent some time to work its way through the stain by soaking the pair of shoes in the mixture and letting them rest there for a minute or two.
Scrub the yellow spot on the shoe hard with an old toothbrush. You’ll see the yellow stain gradually fading with persistent cleaning.
While leaving the first shoe in the solution, repeat the procedure for the other shoe in the pair.

Place your shoes inside the washing machine and set it to a warm, low-spinning cycle after the stain has noticeably lightened.
White vinegar in the amount of half a cup should be added to the washer’s wash area.
In addition to deodorizing your shoes while rinsing, the vinegar aids in removing any lingering stain residue.

After cleaning, dry your shoes either inside with good circulation or with a very low heat setting on your dryer.

Note: This method is best for canvas white vans. It would not be suitable for leather or suede.

2- Baking Soda + White Vinegar + Detergent Paste

Put one tablespoon of boiling water, one tablespoon of liquid soap, and the corresponding amounts of vinegar and baking soda in a container to make a paste.
It has to be stirred until it resembles a paste.
To speed up cleaning, first, unlace your shoes.

Apply the paste to the soiled region of the shoes using an old brush—ideally, a toothbrush.
Scrub the afflicted area vigorously until it becomes lighter.
When the stain has been removed, wipe your shoes with warm water to remove any remaining paste and stain from the shoes.

In a well-ventilated room, let your shoes dry.

Note: This method can be used for white canvas, leather and suede vans. Alternatively, you can also use commercial white leather and suede cleaners.

3- Lemon

Squeeze a lemon into a clean dish after cutting it in half.
Take a clean, non-abrasive piece of cloth and dunk it in lemon juice.
Scrub the soiled region of the shoe with the lemon juice-soaked towel until it starts to seem a little bit lighter.

Depending on how severe the stain is, let the juice sit on the afflicted area for 20 to 30 minutes.
After the given time, wash or wipe your shoes as normal with any soap or detergent and clean water.
Rinse or wipe well to get rid of any soap and lemon residue.

Dry your shoes with your dryer on low heat or let them air dry in a well-ventilated area till the stain is no longer visible.

Note: This method can be used for white canvas, leather, and suede vans. Alternatively, you can also use commercial white leather and suede cleaners.

Tips To Prevent White Vans From Turning Yellow

Your white Vans can become yellow when the Dye used on the material react badly with something in your cleaning process. To try and avoid this, here are a few things you can do:

1-If you are using bleach, ensure that it is well diluted.

Bleach is a very strong chemical and it can react with the dye on your white Vans, changing the color through oxidation and other chemical reactions depending on the kind of dye that is on the shoes.

The standard recommendation is to mix your solution using 1 part bleach to 5 or more parts water. It may sound too diluted but the strength of bleach is such that a little goes a very long way. If you can avoid using bleach altogether, that would be best. But sometimes tough stains leave you no choice!

2-Avoid placing your white vans in direct sunlight.

Many people believe that the power of the sun is great for white shoes, but this is not always the case. The rays of the sun may react with the white dye, causing the fibers of the shoes to revert to their more natural color (yellowish). The air and sun may also oxidize the dye will become yellow depending on its ingredients.

3-Clean your shoes often

White shoes are terribly easy to become dirty. It doesn’t matter whether you wear them for 5 minutes or 5 hours. What matters is that you wore them. Sweat, dirt, dust, and other environmental exposures can make your shoes dirty.

The smallest thing can cause a stain. Many stains present themselves as yellow splotches. So, after every use, give your shoes a light brushing and a nice wipe down.

4-Store your shoes in a dry, well-ventilated, but shaded area.

To keep your shoes from collecting more yellowing stains, keep them dry and out of direct sunlight. They need to be kept dry but do not need to be exposed to a heat source.

Keep them in a cupboard that is dark and cool and protects them from dust and exposure, while keeping them ventilated.

Some people clean and completely dry their shoes and then place them in ziplock plastic bags or moisture barrier bags. Do not store wet, damp, or dirty shoes.