What's the Best Way to Clean White Shoes?

It’s almost spring; white shoes are a must-have in every person’s wardrobe. They can be worn with jeans, shorts, and skirts of any color, making them one of the most versatile shoes in your closet. 

The only downside to white footwear is that it stains easily: dirt, scuffs, daily wear & tear – you name it. This is just a part of wearing white shoes; plenty of risk and reward.

But if you’ve already gotten them dirty and you’re wondering how to clean your white shoes – should you wash, scrub, or polish them? This guide explains the best way to clean shoes so they look good as new.

Why White Canvas Shoes Dirty So Easily

White canvas shoes are one of the most popular fashion choices for people of all ages. Crafted from high-quality cotton, they’re durable, versatile, and lightweight. They work with practically every outfit and amplify the colors in bright spring & summer pieces. 

Unfortunately, the fresh-looking, breathable cotton is also their downfall. The shoes are highly absorbent, meaning they attract & maintain every type of stain with ease. The good news is, you can easily remove almost any type of stain with a simple 5-step process.

5 Simple Steps to Cleaning Your White Canvas Shoes

1.  Remove excess dirt from the uppers & outsoles by using a small towel or brush.

2.  Create a soapy mixture of warm water & a very small amount of laundry detergent.

3.  Dip the brush or cloth into the soapy mixture. Wipe down the affected area.  

4.  Apply a small amount of clean, warm water with the brush or cloth & wipe off the excess soap.

5.  Allow the shoes to air dry.

This may take several hours depending on how dirty your shoes were and how much water you used to wipe them down. Though it may seem tempting, don’t set your shoes out in the sunlight to dry. The UV light can cause the shoes to yellow, meaning you’ll have to clean them again. 

Once they’re fully dry, you can put your shoelaces back in and style them with any outfit! 

How to Keep White Canvas Shoes Clean

Your shoes are finally clean! Now you can wear them for your next day or night out, telling all of your friends how you were able to remove the harsh stains that they said “would never come out.” 

But how do you keep them from staining again? Well, it’s actually easier than the cleaning process. All you need is a waterproof fabric protector spray and a clean pair of shoes. It creates a protective barrier around your shoes that repels water, dirt, and stains. So next time you get caught in a spring shower or scuff your feet on a door, the stain won’t penetrate the canvas. You can easily wipe them off with a damp cloth, without needing to mix or scrub anything.

Now that you know how to clean your white canvas shoes, you can extend their life by months. They might get dirty easier than other colors, but trust us when we say that they’re worth the effort! And once they’re fully worn out, you can pick up a fresh pair and spray them with the waterproof protector spray as soon as you take them out of the box; that way they’ll never get dirty.  

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