DIY: HOW TO CLEAN CANVAS SHOES

Sometimes our shoes need a little love. Get your kicks back to their former glory with our guide.

CLEANING CANVAS SNEAKERS

  1. Use a brush to remove loose dirt and mud before you start cleaning the fabric.
  2. Use warm, soapy water and a toothbrush to clean the tops, sides and rubber strip of your sneakers, working gently to remove stubborn stains.
  3. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the surface and remove any remaining soap suds.
  4. Leave to air dry.

CANVAS DEEP CLEAN

  1. Remove loose dirt or mud using a shoe brush, taking care to clean the rubber strips and bottoms.
  2. Spot-clean stubborn stains by pre-treating them with a stain remover. Apply directly to the stains and leave for 15 minutes.
  3. Remove the insoles and laces, then hand wash your shoes with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
  4. Wrap your damp shoes in a towel and press any excess water out before leaving them to air dry.
  5. Clean your laces in a bowl of warm water mixed with a small amount of mild detergent. Clean the insoles by scrubbing them with a mix of baking soda and mild detergent on a toothbrush. Leave them for 15 minutes before rinsing and air drying.

WHAT ABOUT THE INSIDE OF MY SNEAKERS?

You can use a paste of baking soda and mild detergent to whiten the inside of your canvas shoes. Take a small brush or toothbrush and work the paste into the inside of your shoes. Leave it for up to 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and air dry.

HOW TO SAFELY BLEACH THE WHITE STRIP ON YOUR SNEAKERS

Most sneakers have a white rubber strip that runs around the outside of the sole to give them a distinctive edge. 

Your first instinct might be to reach for the bleach, but that could turn your shoes yellow.

Follow these steps instead:

  1. Choose a clear work surface and cover it with a towel or sheet
  2. Use masking tape to cover the material of the shoe, to avoid damaging the top or sides with any stray cleaning product.
  3. Fill a small cup with a cleaning product from our recommended list: white vinegar, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol or acetone.
  4. Take an old toothbrush or small, soft-bristled cleaning brush, dip it into the cleaning product and gently buff the white rubber in small circular motions.
  5. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth and you’re done!

You can use the same method to clean the rubber bottoms of your sneakers, too. Be sure to get loose dirt and grit off first with a brush.

 

Can I just throw my canvas sneakers in the washing machine?

We don’t recommend it. Even if you put them in a pillowcase, they could still get damaged.