How To Clean White Canvas Shoes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Keeping white canvas shoes clean and damage-free requires the proper cleaning methods.

Here are some cleaning methods to remove dirt and stains from your white canvas shoes.  

Check out this leather shoe cleaning guide if you have stained your white leather shoes.  

How to Remove Stains from Canvas Shoes

Depending on the type of stain, you can use a few different methods to remove stains from canvas shoes.

For example, mud can be removed with a toothbrush and dish soap, while grease stains may require a vinegar and water solution.

No matter what type of stain you’re dealing with, it’s essential to act quickly and treat the stain as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits on canvas, the harder it will be to remove.

If you’re unsure how to remove a specific type of stain, you can consult a professional shoe cleaner or cobbler. They will be able to advise you on the best way to clean your shoes and make them look good as new.

The table below outlines some common types of stains and how to remove them from canvas shoes:

Mud Stains – Use a toothbrush to scrub the stain with dish soap and water.

Grease Stains – Mix one part vinegar with two parts water. Apply the solution to the stain and scrub it with a toothbrush.

Ink Stains – Use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to dab at the stain.

Coffee or Tea Stains Mix one part vinegar with two parts water. Apply the solution to the stain and scrub it with a toothbrush.

Blood Stains – Use cold water to rinse the stain, then scrub with a toothbrush and dish soap. Wine Use cold water to rinse the stain, then scrub with a toothbrush and dish soap.

How to Clean White Canvas Shoes Using Baking Soda and White Vinegar

Materials Required:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Warm water
• Small bowl
• Cotton rags or paper towel
• Soft-bristled toothbrush

Process:

1. Step 1: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove dust from the shoe. To access all parts of the shoe, untie and remove the shoelaces. Scrub the shoe’s upper part in a circular motion with the toothbrush. This will get rid of dry dust and grime that hasn’t been absorbed by the fabric. Remember to brush the rubber soles, the tongue, and eyelets, as well as the stitching. You can also use a cotton rag or soft shoe brush to clean these areas.
2. Step 2: Mix the ingredients to form a scrubbing paste. In a mixing bowl, combine two tablespoons baking soda, two tablespoons white vinegar, and two tablespoons water to make a paste. To ensure that everything is mixed well, give it a good stir. You can adjust the amount to suit your needs, but make sure to dilute the white vinegar with adequate water.
3. Step 3: Apply the baking soda mixture to the shoe. Apply the scrubbing paste directly to the stains with a toothbrush. For best results, scrub the stains in a circular motion. Make sure to cover all stained areas of the shoe. Stains are more likely to appear on the outsole, heel counter, stitching, and bumper.
4. Step 4: Allow the paste to sit for at least 15 minutes. This will allow the baking soda and vinegar to work on cleaning your white canvas shoe thoroughly.
5. Step 5: Wipe away the paste with a moist cotton rag. Brush away any remaining dry paste with a toothbrush. Allow the shoe to air dry in a shaded area.

The scrubbing paste can remove scuffs and stubborn stains like grease, grass, food and drink spills, blood, etc.

You may need to repeat the process twice for the best results. You can use this method once a week to avoid damaging the fabric.   

Alternative Method

Additional Material Required

• Spray bottle

Process:

1. Step 1: Use the toothbrush to brush off loose dirt from the shoe.
2. Step 2: Sprinkle the baking soda directly onto the stains. Allow the baking soda to sit for 15 minutes.
3. Step 3: To make a cleaning solution, pour one part of white vinegar and one part of lukewarm water into a spray bottle.
4. Step 4: Directly spray the cleaning solution on the shoe. Take a toothbrush and start scrubbing in a circular motion. This will help to loosen the stains.
5. Step 5: Wipe away the paste with a damp cotton rag. Allow your shoes to air dry.

Using Bleach

Materials Required:

• Clorox Bleach
• Cold water
• Warm water
• Container
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Bleach pen and liquid detergent (optional)

Process:

1. Step 1: Combine one part bleach, and four parts room temperature water in a container Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated environment. Using warm water will break down hydrogen peroxide, which is the active element in bleach. As a result, the fumes from bleach might hurt your eyes and nose.
2. Step 2 Apply the diluted bleach solution to the stains with a toothbrush. Scrub the shoes gently yet thoroughly. Make sure to cover the outsole, stitching, toe cap, and bumper, as these are more prone to stains.
3. Step 3 Rinse the shoe in warm water. Once you are done scrubbing, rinse the white shoes with warm water. Scrub the shoes using a toothbrush in warm water to remove stubborn stains. Allow the shoe to air dry away from direct sunlight in a shaded area.
4. Optional step. You can also use a bleach pen if there are any remaining stains. Apply the bleach pen to the stains and wait 5 minutes. Using warm water and liquid detergent to wash the bleach solution away. 

Scuffs and persistent stains, such as oil, carpet, food and drink spills, blood, etc., can be removed with diluted bleach. For the ideal results, you may need to repeat the process twice.

Allow your white shoes to air dry in between cleaning sessions. If they’re still damp, you won’t be able to see how much dirt is left.

Frequent cleaning of canvas shoes with bleach will damage the canvas. To avoid damaging the fabric, use this procedure once a month.

Be cautious with bleach. Too much bleach can turn white canvas shoes yellow and discolor-colored canvas shoes. Read our guide on how to clean white canvas shoes without turning them yellow.

Cleaning White Canvas Shoes With Toothpaste

Materials Required:

• Colgate chalk-based white toothpaste (cost $1.56 for a pack of 1 on amazon.com)
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Cotton rags or paper towel
• Water

Process:

1. Step 1: Use the toothbrush to remove dust. To access all parts of the shoe, untie and remove the laces. Using a toothbrush, scrub the upper part of your shoe in a circular motion. This is done to eliminate dust that hasn’t been absorbed by the fabric. A soft cloth or a soft shoe brush can also be used. Remember to brush the rubber outsoles, the tongue, eyelets as well as the stitching of the shoe.
2. Step 2: Apply a generous amount of toothpaste to your white shoes. Squeeze out a generous amount of toothpaste onto a toothbrush or your finger. Rub toothpaste on all stained areas in a circular motion. Continue doing so for 3 to 4 minutes. Do not be aggressive while rubbing toothpaste.
3. Step 3: Allow the toothpaste to sit for at least 10 minutes. Once you are done scrubbing, let toothpaste harden on the shoe. Toothpaste comprises mild abrasives that can remove a wide range of stains.
4. Step 4: Remove toothpaste with a damp cloth. Once the toothpaste has dried, wipe it away with a clean wet cotton rag or paper towel. If you’re having trouble removing toothpaste, dampen a cotton rag with warm water and wipe it off. Let your white shoe air dry.

If your white shoes are still dirty, repeat the process once more. The toothpaste method works well for grease stains, shoe polish marks, black heel marks, and ink spots.

Make sure to use toothpaste with a chalk base. Gel-based toothpaste contains artificial colors. Gel-based toothpaste with any color, such as red or blue, can stain your white shoes. This method can be used once a week.

Simple Handwashing With Laundry Detergent

Materials Required:

• Liquid laundry detergent
• Warm water
• Sponge
• Old toothbrush
• Bowl
• Magic eraser such as a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (costs $4.90 for a pack of 2 on amazon.com)

Process: 

1. Step 1: Untie and remove the shoelaces. Scrub the shoe’s upper part with the toothbrush in a circular motion. This will remove dry dust and grime that has not penetrated the fabric. Remember to brush the rubber outsoles, the tongue, the eyelets, and the stitching. You can also clean these regions with a cotton cloth or a soft shoe brush.
2. Step 2: Make a cleaning solution. Add a few tablespoons of liquid detergent to a bowl of warm water. Mix well.
3. Step 3: Soak the sponge in the cleaning solution and scrub the stained area. Squeeze the sponge after dunking it in the cleaning solution. You can scrub tough stains, such as ink stains, with an old toothbrush. Rinse the sponge and toothbrush with warm water as you clean to avoid staining the clean parts of the white canvas shoe. Clean the tongue, toe cap, eyelets, and stitching with the cleaning solution.
4. Step 4: Add a small amount of water to the bowl and dip your magic eraser. Make sure the magic eraser is damp but not drenched. Squeeze excess water before scrubbing the outsole, bumper, and heel counter. Magic erasers work best on minor scuff marks, ink stains, and mud.
5. Step 5: Rinse the shoes with warm water once you are done scrubbing. Do not leave canvas shoes in warm water for more than a few minutes. Prolonged exposure to warm water unglues canvas shoes.
6. Step 6: Allow the shoes to dry naturally in a well-ventilated environment. You can place them outdoors, away from direct sunlight, on a warm day. To speed up drying, stuff the shoes with dry paper towels or cotton rags.

Laundry detergents work effectively to remove stubborn dirt marks and food & beverage stains. Make sure to use a dye-free detergent, or they’ll just stain the surface.

How to Clean White Canvas Shoes in a Washing Machine

Materials Required:

• Liquid laundry detergent
• Cold water (You don’t need ice-cold water, room temperature will do fine)
• Washing machine
• Cotton rags or paper towels 
• Magic eraser such as a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (costs $4.90 for a pack of 2 on amazon.com)

Process:

1. Step 1: Brush away dust and dirt from the shoe. Untie and remove the shoelaces. Scrub the shoe’s upper part with a toothbrush. Use circular motions. Remember to brush the rubber outsoles, the tongue, the eyelets, and the stitching. You can also clean these parts with a cotton cloth or a soft shoe brush. Also, remove dirt from the bottoms of your white shoes. This will make stain removal easier, and the cleaning process go more smoothly.
2. Step 2: Dip the tip of the magic eraser in water. The tip should be damp but not completely soaked. Scrub the outsole, bumper, and heel counter. Areas with minor scuff marks, ink stains, and mud respond best to magic erasers.
3. Step 3: Fill the washing machine halfway with water and set it on gentle cycle mode. Now, add two tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent. Mix the detergent into the water by running the washer for a minute.
4. Step 4: Place the white shoes in the washing machine and continue the wash cycle.
5. Step 5: Allow the shoes to air-dry in a well-ventilated area. On a warm day, place them outside, away from direct sunshine. Stuff the shoes with dry paper towels or cotton rags to speed up drying. Avoid putting them in the dryer since the heat will deform the shoes.

The handwashing method and the washing machine method are identical. This cleaning process effectively removes severe dirt traces, bloodstains, grass stains, and food and beverage stains.

Make sure to use a dye-free detergent, or they’ll just stain the white canvas shoes.

Using Nail Polish Remover

Materials Required:

• Acetone-based nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls
• Warm water
• Cotton rags or paper towels
• Sponge

Process:

1. Step 1: Dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover. Apply the soaked cotton ball to the stain. You may have to rub it a little bit. To avoid spreading the stain, replace the cotton ball as needed.
2. Step 2: Dip a cotton rag or sponge in warm water and remove the nail polish remover.
3. Step 3: Allow the shoes to air dry. Avoid using s dryer since the heat will melt the shoe glue, therefore deforming the shoe.

Nail polish remover is effective on ink and most paint stains, including latex, acrylic, and oil-based paints.

Other tough stains, such as food and beverage stains, black heel marks, carpet stains, tire stains, and so on, will not be removed with this procedure.

You may also like to read our master guide on how to clean canvas shoes.

Looking to clean non-canvas white shoes? Check our comprehensive guide – How to clean white shoes.

Black canvas shoes also need special care. Read our guide on how to clean black canvas shoes without ruining them. If you have colored canvas shoes, then please read our guide on how to clean colored canvas shoes without running them.