How to Clean White Canvas Shoes Using Supplies from Your Pantry

White shoes are definitely having a moment. Dirty white shoes, however, are a different story. And sadly, canvas sneakers (looking at you, Converse and Superga!) get dirty super quickly. Luckily, cleaning them isn’t as hard as you may think.

You may instinctively want to turn to, say, bleach and your washing machine, but these two things are not suggested for cleaning your white shoes. Because white shoes will need to be cleaned more often than others, the harshness of both tumbling in the washer and the chemicals in bleach can degrade the fabric and stitching of your shoes. 

The best way to clean them, in terms of both effectiveness and gentleness, is with items you probably have in your pantry right now: baking soda and vinegar. By making a vinegar-and-baking-soda paste, spreading it on your shoes, and then allowing the bleaching power of the sun to do its magic, too, you’ll have your white shoes looking good enough to wear with minimal effort, and just a few hours’ time. Just make sure you do this on a sunny day!

• Bowl
• Hot water
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Measuring spoons
• Toothbrush

1. Remove the shoelaces: Take the shoelaces out of your shoes and set them aside. Pro tip: If the way you lace your shoes is important to you, use your phone to snap some pics before you take the laces out. This way, you have something to reference when you go to re-lace your shoes.
2. Make your cleaning solution: Grab your bowl and put about one tablespoon of hot water in it. Add one tablespoon of vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda, and stir to make a paste.
3. Apply the paste to your shoes: Use your toothbrush to gently scrub the paste onto your shoes. 
4. Put your shoes in the sun: Set your shoes outside in a sunny spot for three to four hours. If you can’t set them outside, find a sunny, well-ventilated spot indoors.
5. Clean the laces: Place your shoelaces in the bowl and stir them around in the remaining paste. You may need to add more water, vinegar, and baking soda, depending on how much of the paste you used on your shoes. 
6. Set them in the sun, too: Spread your shoelaces out in the sun alongside your sneakers. 
7. Bang out the hardened paste: Once your shoes are dry (you should be able to scrape away the paste with your fingernail), bang them against each other to dislodge the baking soda. 
8. Do some detail work: Use your toothbrush to remove any lingering baking soda paste. Then re-lace your shoes and you’re good to go!

• These instructions pertain to white shoes made of canvas. 
• It’s always a good idea to use a shoe protectant spray on your shoes before you first wear them. 
• Avoid bleach because it’s harsh and can damage laces and stitching and weaken the fabric of your shoes. 
• A washing machine can be similarly destructive and can also cause stains to set in.