Canvas used to be made of hemp a hearty material suitable for wear indoors and out. Modern canvas is primarily made from a variety of materials, including flax and cotton. It does not last nearly as long and it doesn’t stay clean forever. That’s why it makes sense to clean your favorite Keds and even look-a-likes carefully and frequently. If you use the best ways to clean white canvas shoes, you can restore their crisp look and give them longer life.
First, knock off any caked on mud by slapping the soles together outdoors. If they are just a little dusty, wipe off the dust with a cloth. Remove the shoelaces to clean any soil on the tongue of the shoe. Next spot clean the fabric to determine how the canvas will react to cleaning products by gently rubbing the shoes with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water. If the fabric doesn’t show signs of distress, create a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water with a couple of drops of liquid dish soap added. Apply the paste to the shoes and allow it to set for 15 minutes. Clean the white canvas shoes and laces with a retired toothbrush or an old manicure brush then rinse and repeat as necessary.
Fastest Ways to Clean Canvas Shoes
Manufacturers do not recommend machine washing to clean white canvas shoes because it can damage the fabric and alter the shape. For the sake of sentiment, washing highly prized Converse All-Stars would be a no-no, but most cheap run about should survive. Just place the shoes in a pillowcase and secure the open end with a rubber band. Put the pillowcase in the washer along with detergent and set the machine to the shortest cycle. When the cycle is finished, do not place the shoes in the dryer, the glue and bonding materials may melt. One of the fastest ways to dry clean canvas shoes is to hang them on a clothesline.
Best Ways to Clean the Soles of White Canvas Shoes
Sometimes getting the soles clean is the toughest part of washing white canvas shoes. That’s why it’s best to break out the bleach. Use name-brand bleach like Chlorox as off brand bleach turns materials yellow. Mix a cap of bleach and a drop of liquid dish detergent in hot water. Dip a brush into the solution and give the soles a good scrub, paying attention to the grooves. Exercise care at the sides to prevent the bleach from getting on the canvas. If your attempts to clean white canvas shoes yield yellow spots from bleach, the website Mrs.Cleannw.com recommends a solution of 1.2 cup Cream of Tartar and 1 quart of water. Apply the treatment and allow it to set for 24 hours then rinse and clean as usual.
Best Ways to Restore the Shape of Clean White Canvas Shoes
Shoes lose their shape through wear and washing. You can renew the shape with a shoe tree or by stuffing the paper with paper towel. Some experts suggest using newspaper for the job. However, the soy ink in most newspapers can smear and get all over your clean white canvas shoes.
Sometimes you need to use more than one technique, but, often times, the best ways to clean white canvas shoes require little more than elbow grease and determination.
Sources
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/34694/shoes/popularity_of_basic_canvas_shoes.html
http://www.pier55.com/Beauty-Fashion/Care-for-Canvas-Shoes.shtml
