The timing of this commission couldn’t have been more perfect—I received an email asking if I would be up for writing a story where I demonstrate step-by-step the process of cleaning a pair of white canvas sneakers, while I was in Turin visiting Superga’s headquarters ahead of the 100th anniversary of the classic 2750 pumps. Wearing a pair of sparkling white 2750s, while surrounded by Superga experts, I crowdsourced tips for how I could hold onto this ‘brand new sneakers’ feeling (and also keep my editor happy with my new knowledge). A few days later, I received via email a step by step guide for how to effectively remove signs of wear and dirt, without doing damage to the rubber soles or the shape of the shoe.
With a few simple tips, there's no reason that this beloved wardrobe staple won't last you well past the one-year mark. Caring and mending for your belongings, instead of immediately buying a new replacement, is an effective way of reducing your environmental impact—my fashion New Year's resolution is to show more love for my well-worn clothes.
To really put these tips to the test, I dug out the dirtiest pair of sneakers I could find in my house—a pair of canvas Vejas that were rather tired from a summer of walking around the dusty streets of Greece and Italy. However, as I show with the 2750s I wore for two days exploring Turin, the key is to keep on top of the cleaning, and to deal with any stubborn stains as and when they arise. In general, it's also best to avoid bleach which can damage the canvas and to test any cleaning products with a small patch test on a subtle area (we recommend behind the laces).
What You Will Need to Clean Your White Canvas Shoes:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- A mild detergent or hand wash
- Clean sponges
- A clean white cloth
- A cleaning brush or old toothbrush
- A bowl for creating your mixtures
- Stain remover (this is optional if you are dealing with really stubborn stains)
- Newspaper or paper towels to stuff the sneakers while drying
1. Remove the Laces
Before you start to clean the body of the sneakers, you'll want to remove your laces. To clean these you can either wash them in the washing machine inside a delicates bag, or soak them in a mixture of mild detergent and warm water (I did the latter and found it to be very effective). Buying a new pair can be a clever way of brightening up your well-worn sneakers.
2. Firstly, Brush Any Debris Off The Sneakers
Take your clean brush or old toothbrush, and brush over the sneakers removing any dried dirt or debris—you will want to pay attention to the sole and any corners where dirt can build up.
3. Make A Mixture Of Warm Water And Detergent
The team at Superga then recommended that next I take a small amount of mild detergent with lukewarm water, and then place either a brush or sponge into the soapy water and gently scrub the canvas in circular motions. They advise you avoid soaking the shoes completely, as this can cause damage.
4. Clean the Soles
For the soles you can either use the above solution, or for something stronger use baking soda. Remember what happens when you combine baking soda and vinegar? These same two household ingredients can be used to make your white canvas shoes look crisp. Combine a tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of vinegar, dilute with a cup of warm water, and use a cloth or toothbrush to scrub the soles of your shoes with the paste. The baking soda mixture will dry fairly quickly, at which point you can brush it off and allow the shoes to air-dry.
Word of warning: I found that the soles were by far the dirtiest part of the shoe, and when cleaning some of the dirty mixture and water dripped onto the outside canvas of the shoe, causing further stains. Be very mindful of this dripping and wipe dry any excess with a paper towel. The last thing you want is to spread more mud onto the visible parts of the sneakers.
5. Rinse the Soles and the Sneakers
Next, take your clean, damp cloth and wipe the shoes and the soles to remove the soapy residue. Again, it can be effective to use a circular motion.
6. More Intense Spot Cleaning for Stubborn Stains
The mixture of vinegar and baking soda will fizz immediately, and make a paste.
Because canvas is such a versatile fabric, it typically cleans well with stain removers. While intense grass stains and oil-based stains may respond best to industrial-grade stain removal agents, basic scuffs and stains can often be resolved with a gentle stain remover, which tends to be easier on fabrics due to its gentler formula.
On areas where there were marks that hadn't removed I tried two different methods. On the left shoe, I sprayed the marks with a stain action spray, which I then wiped off after several minutes.
On the right shoe, I tried a different technique, and mixed baking soda and vinegar together in a paste, which I then applied on the stain. I let it soak in for 15 minutes, and then scrubbed it off and rinsed. I found the stain remover was more effective on dark, visible marks.
7. Leave Time For Proper Drying
An essential step in the cleaning process is knowing how to dry them. After draining excess moisture, place the shoes in a dry area away from heat. While you’d typically want to keep shoes out of the sun during the drying stage, direct sunlight can actually brighten white canvas shoes. Stuff them with crumpled newspaper or paper towels to absorb excess moisture and help them retain their proper shape. As the shoes will be damp they can still look a little dirty or dull in this phase, but don't be too disheartened.
The Results:
Before:
After:
I was really pleased with the results, as although not completely perfect, they look so much fresher. Removing all of the dirt from the sole made a huge difference to the overall look of the sneakers, while the canvas was visibly brighter. I found that the spot treating cleaning with a stain remover (which I used on the left) achieved better results than the vinegar and baking soda paste which I applied on the right sneaker. The cleaned laces also made a big difference to the overall look. I left the sneakers to dry overnight, so I would leave yourself a day for the cleaning and drying.
Our Top Tip: Clean As You Go
You will achieve much better results if you deal with stains and marks as they arise, and don't leave it too late to clean them. I tested this theory with my Superga 2750s, which were otherwise bright white still, but had a few fresh mud marks. If you remove the stains before they have sunk in, you will be able to practically wipe off the mud. I only needed to use a mixture of detergent and mild water, and using a cloth wiped the stain off in circular motions.
Can You Wash Canvas Sneakers In The Washing Machine?
Superga say to avoid putting its canvas shoes in the washing machine, as this can damage the canvas and cause the glue to weaken. It is a popular technique, however I would advise you only do this if you are prepared that it might damage the shoes. This method also shouldn’t be used for shoes with embellishments or any other form of decoration. If you want to take the risk and give your sneakers a spin, place your shoes in a delicates bag and wash them alone on the gentlest cycle. Only use cool water and dry them as explained above.
Shop Our Favorite White Canvas Sneakers:
This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated.