How to Remove Stains From Canvas Shoes

Removing stains from canvas shoes is not something most people look forward to.

The process is often time-consuming and can be difficult to get the results you want. Moreover, if you do not know the proper method, you may ruin your shoes.

But don’t worry, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make the process easier and get your shoes looking like new again.

I will provide a detailed cleaning guide for removing practically any type of stain from your canvas shoes.

My canvas shoe stain cleaning guide will help you remove stains like mud, grass, oil, food, blood, wine, and more without damaging your shoes.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

 Precautions

1. Do not scrub your shoes vigorously. Vigorous scrubbing will damage the canvas.
2. Stuff your shoes with some newspaper or paper towel while drying them. The paper will absorb excess moisture and will help your shoes retain their shape.
3. Do not dry your colored canvas shoes in direct sunlight. Colored canvas fades in the sun.
4. Using a cleaner? Always test cleaners by applying it to an small inconspicuous area of your canvas shoes.

Preparation

1. Unlace your shoes and remove the insoles (if the insoles are removable). 
2. Wash laces, insoles, and the shoes separately for a thorough cleaning. 
3. Brush the dirt off the surface of the shoes with a horse-hair brush 
4. Wipe the canvas shoe with a damp cloth to make sure no excess dirt is left on the surface. 

Mud Stains

It is preferable to promptly wipe away mud stains on canvas shoes using a moist towel.

Unfortunately, if the mud has already dried, it can be more difficult to remove. Follow the process below.

Materials Required

1. Warm water
2. Clean cloth
3. Mild laundry detergent
4. Toothbrush (if you wish to clean by hand) 
5. Mesh laundry bag (if you wish to use a washing machine)

Process

1. Mix an adequate amount (three to five tablespoons) of mild laundry detergent in a bucket of water.
2. Soak your canvas shoes in the mixture for about 30 minutes. This will loosen dirt and mud particles.
3. Use a toothbrush to scrub the stains until they disappear. 
4. If you want to machine wash your shoes, place your shoes in a mesh laundry bag. Put the mesh bag in the washing machine. Use your washing machine’s gentle cycle to wash them.
5. Let the shoes air dry after the cleaning process.

White canvas shoes require special precautions. Read our guide on cleaning white canvas shoes for more details.

Grass Stains

If the grass stains are still wet, immediately blot them with a clean cloth. If the stains are dry, first scrape off any dried grass with a blunt knife.

Next, apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent to the stain and rub it in with your fingers. Finally, rinse the shoes with warm water and let them air dry.

If this process does not work, then your canvas shoes need a more elaborate clean.

Materials Required

1. Warm water
2. Dish soap
3. White vinegar
4. Baking soda
5. Toothbrush

Process:

1. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of water in a bowl. 
2. Use a toothbrush to spread baking soda paste over the grass stain.
3. Use a separate bowl and mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar, half a cup of warm water, and a dab of dish soap. 
4. Use a toothbrush to spread this magic mixture over the grass stain again and scrub gently.
5. Rinse off the shoes thoroughly.
6. Let the shoes air dry completely before putting them back on.  

Grease Stains

There are two ways that you can remove grease stains from canvas shoes. One for fresh stains and the other for dry grease stains. Read on.

Materials Required

1. Warm water
2. Clean cloth
3. Dish soap
4. Talcum powder
5. Toothbrush

Process

1. For removing fresh grease stains, sprinkle some talcum powder on the stains.
2. Let the powder stay for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Next, dust away the powder with a toothbrush. While dusting, do not force the powder down into the canvas.
4. If it’s an old dried grease stain then pour some warm water on the stain.
5. Next, take some dishwashing liquid on a piece of cloth and dab the stain. 
6. Drip a small quantity of water on the stain
7. Rub the area gently with the cloth until the stain disappears. 
8. Make sure to let the shoes air dry after the cleaning process.

Blood Stains

If your canvas shoes have blood stains on them, you can try the following tips to remove them.

Materials Required

1. A pair of gloves
2. Hot water
3. Laundry detergent
4. Toothbrush
5. Hydrogen peroxide or White vinegar

Process:

1. Always wear gloves when cleaning a blood stain so your hands are protected from exposure to chemicals.
2. Fresh blood stains can be cleaned with a mixture of laundry detergent and hot water. 
3. Apply the mixture to the stained area and rub it using a toothbrush.
4. If the blood is dried, then soak your shoes in a mixture of hot water and laundry detergent for 30 minutes. 
5. Apply one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar over the blood stain. Gently scrub the area with a toothbrush.
6. Let your shoes air dry after the cleaning process.

Sweat, Salt, Snow, and Slush Stains

If you have an active lifestyle, then your canvas shoes will be susceptible to sweat, salt, snow, and slush stains. While some of these stains can be removed with simple cleaning supplies, others may require more specialized treatment.

Materials Required

1. Warm water
2. Laundry detergent
3. Toothbrush
4. Hydrogen peroxide or White vinegar

Process:

1. Sweat and salt will be removed by soaking your shoes in a mixture of laundry detergent and warm water.
2. Use a toothbrush to remove any stain or dirt. Wipe your shoes with a dry towel to remove snow and slush.
3. Mix one tablespoon of warm water and one tablespoon of white vinegar in a bowl. Pour the mixture over the stain. 
4. Let the stain soak for a few minutes then scrub them with a brush. 
5. Let your shoes air dry.

Coffee Stains

Coffee stains on canvas shoes are one of the most difficult stains to remove. It is important to act quickly. Blot the stain with a clean cloth as soon as possible.

Then follow the process below to get rid of the stain.

Materials Required

1. Cold water
2. Warm water
3. Laundry detergent
4. Toothbrush
5. White vinegar
6. Clean cloth

Process

1. For removing the fresh coffee stain, fill a bucket with cold water and add an adequate amount of laundry detergent.
2. Soak your shoes in soapy water for 5 to 10 minutes. 
3. Scrub the stain with the toothbrush.

1. For old coffee stains, mix one tablespoon of dish soap and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. 
2. Blot the stain with the mixture.
3. After, blotting the stain scrub it with a cloth soaked in clean water or a toothbrush until the stain is gone.
4. Let your shoes air dry.

Stains that Develop from Use

Wear stains on canvas shoes can be removed with a damp cloth and a little soap. Work the soap into the stain and then wipe it away with the damp cloth. Repeat this process until the stain is gone.

For more stubborn stains use the process below.

Materials Required

1. White vinegar
2. Warm water
3. Toothbrush
4. Laundry detergent

Process

1. Fill a bucket with warm water and mix an adequate amount of laundry detergent in it.
2. Soak your shoes in a mixture of laundry detergent and warm water.
3. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of water in a bowl. 
4. Use a toothbrush to spread this mixture over the stain.
5. Rinse out your shoes with clean water to remove any residual vinegar smell. 
6. Let the shoes air dry completely.

Scuff Marks

To remove scuff marks from the canvas of your shoes, start by rubbing the marks with a damp cloth. If that doesn’t work, follow the method below.

Materials Required

1. Toothbrush
2. Toothpaste
3. Water
4. Mild laundry detergent

Process

1. Apply a small amount of white toothpaste to the scuff mark.
2. Gently scrub off the mark with a toothbrush. 
3. Wipe off the toothpaste with a damp cloth.
4. Finally, wash the canvas shoes with a mild detergent and water solution to remove any residual stains.
5. Let your shoes air dry.

Food Stains

Most food stains are protein-based and will respond well to a protein-remover or enzyme cleaner.

However, some food stains, such as those from tomato sauce or coffee, can also be tannin stains. Tannin stains require a tannin stain remover.

If you do not want to spend money on fancy products we have this home remedy for you.

Materials Required

1. Warm water
2. Cold water
3. Toothbrush
4. Detergent
5. Dish soap

Process

1. Fill a bucket with warm water and mix an adequate amount of detergent in it.
2. Soak your shoes in a mixture of detergent and warm water for 10 minutes. 
3. Use a dab of dish soap and rub the stain with a toothbrush.
4. After scrubbing the stain, rinse off the shoes with cold water.
5. Let the shoes air dry completely before wearing them again.

Paint Stains

Paint stains can be difficult to remove because they are usually very pigmented. They can also be difficult to remove because they can be sticky and hard to scrub off.

Paint stains can be removed with the help of a few common household items. Let’s look at one such recipe.

Material Required

1. A clean cloth
2. An old toothbrush
3. Dish soap
4. Warm water
5. Nail paint remover
6. Cotton ball

Process

1. Dunk a clean cloth in water and wring it out. Use this cloth to wipe away wet paint from your shoes.
2. Place the shoes under warm water. It will help rinse away any leftover paint.
3. Mix one part dish soap and one part warm water in a bowl. Stir to form a solution. 
4. Soak a cloth in the soapy solution and wring out the excess water. 
5. Now gently scrub the paint stain with the cloth. Repeat the procedure until most of the stain is gone.
6. If this does not work, then pour a small amount of clear nail paint remover onto the cotton ball.
7. Blot the stained area of the shoe until all the paint comes off. 
8. Rinse the shoes with warm water.
9. Let the shoes air dry in a well-ventilated area.

Red Wine Stains

Wine stains are typically red or purple in color and are caused by the pigments in the wine.

Red wine stains are often very difficult to remove, and may require special cleaners or treatments.

However, you can make your own wine stain remover from kitchen products.

Materials Required

1. Warm water
2. White vinegar
3. Clean cloth
4. Toothbrush
5. Mild detergent

Process

1. Fill a bucket with water and mix an adequate amount of laundry detergent in it.
2. Submerge the stained shoe in soapy water and soak it for about 5 minutes.
3. Mix some warm water and add 1 cup of white vinegar. 
4. Dab the cloth in this mixture and put it on the stain to bloat it.
5. Gently scrub the stain with a toothbrush. 
6. Rinse the shoe with clear water. You can repeat the process until you get the desired result.

Additional Tips and Advice

1. The sooner you remove stains from your canvas shoes, the easier it will be. The longer the stain sits, the harder it will be to remove.
2. If scrubbing doesn’t do the trick, you can try using a scrubbing pad and mild soap. When it comes to removing stains from canvas shoes, warm water is your best friend. 
3. To prevent these stains, be sure to treat your shoes with a care kit or a water-repellent treatment every two months. 
4. Surface dirt can be cleaned from shoes with any canvas shoe cleaner like Crep protect spray, Mr. Sheen, or Armor All.
5. Be sure to only use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or baking soda in a well-ventilated area. 
6. Once your shoes are clean, spray them with laundry starch to protect them from dirt and stains in the future.

FAQs

How do you get tough stains out of canvas shoes?

Use one tablespoon of white toothpaste, baking soda, and warm water. Mix these ingredients together and then use a toothbrush to scrub the paste onto the stained area. Wipe your shoes with a clean damp cloth once the stain has been removed.

How to keep your canvas stain-free?

The best way to keep canvas stain-free is to avoid spills and accidents in the first place. Use a dust cloth to clean up spills immediately. If there is still a stain, scrub it with a mild detergent and water solution. Then let the canvas dry completely.

What are the benefits of using a stain remover for canvas shoes?

There are two main benefits to using stain remover to clean canvas shoes. The first is that it can remove stains that have been difficult to remove with other cleaning methods. The second is that it can clean canvas shoes without damaging them.

What is the best way to remove stains from canvas shoes?

The best way to remove oil based stains from canvas shoes is to use a mild detergent and a soft brush.

To remove water based stains, use a clean cloth and gently rub the stain in a circular motion until it comes off. Another way is to use a mild soap and water solution and gently scrub the stain with a soft brush.

Protein stains can be removed from canvas shoes by using a mixture of one part dishwashing liquid and two parts water. First, blot the stain with a clean cloth to remove as much of the protein as possible.

Next, apply the dishwashing liquid mixture to the stain and scrub with a soft brush. Finally, rinse the area with clean water and allow the shoes to air dry.

How to remove stubborn stains from canvas shoes?

First, use mild soap and water to remove dirt or debris on the surface of the shoes.

Then apply mild detergent or stain remover directly on the stain. You may also want to try using a toothbrush to scrub the stains.

If your canvas shoes are white, consider using bleach to clean them. You may also like our guide on cleaning white canvas shoes.

Conclusion

There you have it! Our detailed guide on how to remove stains from canvas shoes.

We hope our guide was helpful and you were able to remove all the stains from your shoes. If you want more information on keeping canvas shoes clean then read our authoritative guide on how to clean canvas shoes.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.