Cleaning Canvas Shoes

Canvas shoes are made from cotton, which means they absorb stains easily – especially if they’re white. One walk in the park can make your new shoes look old! But don’t worry, with the right cleaning method, you can make them look fresh again.

Supplies for Cleaning Canvas Shoes

• Soft bristle brush
• Toothbrush
• Mild laundry detergent
• Comet

How to Clean Canvas Shoes

Bursh Away Dirt

Before you start cleaning your canvas shoes, you’ll want to wipe off any loose dirt. Skipping this step can actually make the mess worse. Bang the shoe soles together outside to remove dirt from the bottom of the shoes then use an old cloth to brush away any dirt.

Remove the Laces Before Cleaning Shoes

Take the laces out so you can reach all the little corners while cleaning. You can easily toss the laces in with other laundry. If the laces are dirty, pre-treat prior to washing.

Cleaning Canvas Shoes

You can clean the shoes outside with a hose or inside over a sink. We clean ours over the laundry room sink. Use a small scrub brush (for canvas and rubber edging/foxing) and an old toothbrush (for around the eyelets).

Run cold water while cleaning the shoes – use a mild laundry detergent to clean the canvas  and comet for cleaning the rubber edging or “foxing” and soles. Gently scrub while cleaning the insides, outsides, and edging.

If there are removable insoles, remove those if possible then rinse and dry.

When finished cleaning the shoes, rinse well to remove all cleaning products.

Stuff the Shoes to Shape

Stuffing your shoes with material, such as paper towels or rags, helps hold their shape by providing internal support while they dry.

When shoes get wet, the fabric can become soft and lose its structure, leading to sagging or warping. The stuffing fills the empty space inside the shoe, preventing it from collapsing and keeping it in its original form as the material dries.

This is especially important for softer materials like canvas or leather, which can shrink or change shape without this support.

Put the Laces Back On

Once everything is dry, remove the stuffing and put the laces back on your shoes.

By following these steps, you can keep your canvas shoes looking much newer for longer!