How to Clean Canvas Shoes

What You'll Need

• Soap-Man Lemon Glow Dish Soap
• Baking soda
• Old toothbrush
• Warm water
• Clean cloth

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Remove laces and brush off dirt

   Take out the laces and tap the shoes together to remove loose dirt. Brush the canvas with a dry brush to remove surface dust.

2. 2

   Make a cleaning solution

   Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap and a tablespoon of baking soda. Stir until the baking soda dissolves.

3. 3

   Scrub the canvas

   Dip an old toothbrush in the solution and scrub the canvas in small circular motions. Work on one section at a time.

4. 4

   Clean the rubber soles

   Apply baking soda paste directly to the rubber soles and scrub with the toothbrush. A magic eraser works well on white rubber.

5. 5

   Rinse and air dry

   Wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove all soap residue. Stuff with paper towels and air dry. Avoid direct sunlight on white canvas.

Pro Tips

• TIPSpray canvas shoes with fabric protector before the first wear to make future cleaning much easier.
• TIPFor white canvas, add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to the cleaning solution for extra whitening power.
• TIPWash laces in a mesh bag in the washing machine or soak in a baking soda solution for best results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XUsing bleach on colored canvas, which strips the dye and leaves uneven fading patches.
• XMachine drying canvas shoes, which can shrink the canvas and melt adhesives in the sole.
• XLeaving wet canvas shoes in direct sunlight, which causes yellowing on white shoes and fading on colored ones.

Frequently Asked Questions