How to Clean Canvas Shoes

No matter how much we try to keep our new shoes clean, unfortunately they are prone to dirt stains as you walk through everyday life. We have all been there, that moment the delivery driver knocks on your front door, you rush to answer and frantically rip open your parcel to see your new kicks that are crisp and clean and then suddenly think ‘’How on earth will I keep these this clean?’’. Don’t worry though, there’s no to be reluctant to wear them – it’s super simple and easy to clean your canvas shoes.

Sometimes, it takes a little more time and effort than simply tossing them in the washing machine. But if that is your choice to get them cleaned more quickly, follow these simple steps to make sure your canvas shoes come out looking clean and smelling fresh. Before you follow our guide, make sure to remove the laces to avoid tangles and knots.

1. Pop your canvas shoes in the washing machine (on their own), along with a small amount of mild laundry detergent – this helps the cleaning process as well as adding a fresher smell to your footwear.
   
   
2. Choose the gentlest cycle that you have on your machine and make sure it is a cold water run to prevent discoloration or weakening of glue that holds the shoe together.
   
   
3. Once the cycle has finished, allow your cleaned shoes to air dry naturally in a well-ventilated room that is not in direct sunlight. This process should take no longer than 24-48 hours.
   
   
4. Once fully dry, re-do your laces and you will have a like-new pair of canvas shoes.

Wearing canvas shoes, especially during the summer months can be a god send thanks to the lightweight and breathable materials. Our famous Rydale canvas shoes which go by the name of Roxby, have been expertly crafted from the most luxurious cotton canvas that it light, airy, and perfect for warm weather. We have also thrown in a pair of contrasting shoelaces for good measure. These can act as a spare pair when you want to switch things up.

Canvas trainers are great for exploring the great British countryside, coastal towns, and busy cities – they are a real all-rounder shoe. Most of these types of shoe benefit from having a front rubberised toe panel and metal eyelets to the instep which can help to stop your feet from sweating.

As the weather hots up, its inevitable that we are going to be out and about wearing shorts, T-shirts, and canvas shoes. From walking on the beach or choosing the scenic route and walking through fields, your shoes are bound to get grass stains, scuffs and much more. Whilst canvas shoes are mainly affordable and low maintenance, we still want to keep them looking there for best most of the time.

How to clean coloured canvas shoes

1. The first step is to remove and soak the shoelaces. Whilst this is not a must, attempting to clean the laces while still on the shoes will not be nearly as effective as soaking and scrubbing them separately. To do this, get yourself a small bucket or container and soak the laces in cold to warm water with a small amount of washing up liquid or mild detergent. This should be done for around 20 – 30 minutes.
   
   
2. Ensure the shoes are completely dry and start to remove any loose dirt and debris using gentle scrubbing brush or toothbrush.
   
   
3. Run the shoes under cold to warm water briefly (do not soak for a prolonged amount of time). One the shoes are wet, apply a small amount of laundry detergent or fabric stain remover that does not contain bleach to the affected areas and lightly scrub for around 2-3 minutes or until the stains are lifted. To finish, run the shoes under running water to rinse off the cleaner.
   
   
4. Now its time to dry your shoes. Depending on the weather, you could hang them on the washing line in a slightly shaded area throughout the day. Alternatively, place the shoes in a well-ventilated area overnight. Another couple of quick ways to dry your shoes is to stuff them with paper towels and replace them when soaked. Or simply use a hairdryer on a low heat for 10-15 minutes then leave to fully dry.

How to clean white canvas shoes

1. Like the guide above, start by removing the laces and soaking them for 20-30 minutes.
   
   
2. Remove any loose dirt and debris.
   
   
3. Fill up a bucket or container that is big enough to submerge the shoes with around 1-gallon of water and 1 cup of baking soda.
   
   
4. Add a drop of laundry detergent for extra cleaning strength and a fresher smell.
   
   
5. Soak the pair of shoes in the cleaning solution for up to one hour.
   
   
6. Once soaked, remove them from the bucket or container (we recommend using gloves if you have sensitive skin) and grab your soft-bristle brush or toothbrush.
   
   
7. Using the cleaning brush, scrub away until all the stains are lifted. It is a good idea to also scrub the inside of your shoes to eliminate unwanted odours.
   
   
8. Now that your shoes are scrubbed, rinse thoroughly under cold to warm water and remove any cleaning solution.
   
   
9. Allow both your shoes and laces to air dry in a well ventilated overnight.

So, how often should you clean your canvas shoes? That really depends on how frequently you wear them. If worn only occasionally, it is a good idea give them a good clean at least once per season. You can spot clean any specific stains or thick dirt build-up as often as required.  If they are your everyday pair, or worn multiple time per week, we recommend cleaning them weekly or monthly depending on how dirty they get. 

We hope you have managed to get some helpful tips and tricks on how to keep your canvas shoes clean. If you do require any further information, help, or advise then please do not hesitate to contact us.