Did you just purchase your first pair of canvas shoes?
With the average American owning 19 pairs of shoes, it’s safe to say that at least one pair is likely to be a canvas shoe. After all, canvas shoes are famous for being both timeless, comfortable and fit for both men and women.
However, there’s no denying that canvas shoes can be prone to picking up dirt and debris. When this dirt overtakes, far too many people ditch their shoes and begin the search for their next pair of shoes. When we consider this on a global scale, it’s simple to understand the cycle of waste that results.
The good news?
With the right tips and tricks, a little dirt and debris on your canvas shoes is nothing to worry about. We’re here to tell you that there’s no reason to purchase a new pair of shoes each and every time that you encounter a mess.
If you’re wondering the best way to clean your canvas shoes without ruining them, you’re going to want to read this. We’re uncovering how to remove dirt and debris from your canvas shoes and leave them looking spic and span!
In This Post
Cleaning by Hand
When it comes to cleaning your canvas shoes, washing by hand is certainly the best option.
While this might be the more time-consuming option, it does offer a number of benefits. Not only does this ensure a healthy clean, but it also reduces the risk of discoloration or shrinking of the shoe. These are risks that are often associated with using a washing machine to clean your shoes.
Cleaning by hand is the best option for your favorite canvas shoes that you’re not willing to risk losing.
Steps to Cleaning by Hand
The first step is to ensure that your shoes are entirely dry and free from as much excess dirt as possible. To do this, shake your shoes or hit them against a solid wall or floor.
Next, you will remove the laces from your shoes -these laces can be washed with any standard load in your washing machine. From here you will fill a bucket with warm water and add two tablespoons of mild laundry detergent. Once lathered, you will use a toothbrush to scrub your shoes with the water and detergent mix.
It’s important to note that you should avoid entirely submerging the shoes in the water. While you can briefly dip the shoes into the water for rinsing, they must not be fully submerged.
From here, you can finish the process by carefully rinsing your shoes under a warm water tap. Remember, you are not looking to soak your shoes but, rather, rinse off the soap and dirt.
Cleaning with a Washing Machine
Are you looking for the most simple and efficient means of washing your canvas shoes?
If so, you can look no further than your household washing machine! However, it’s important to note that there are certain risks that come alongside using a washing machine.
First and foremost, there’s a common risk for discoloration and color spots on the canvas material. For example, if the canvas of your shoe is a dark blue, the washing machine may fade it to a lighter shade of blue. Secondly, it’s possible that your shoe will shrink or lose shape.
This option may be more suitable for children’s shoes that requiring washing on a regular basis.
Steps to Cleaning with a Washing Machine
The first step in using a washing machine to clean your canvas shoes is to pre-treat.
This involves placing a detergent or stain remover to the necessary areas of your canvas. If the entire shoe is dirty, gently rub the cleanser all throughout your shoe. This can simply be done with your finger as there is no need for a brush or for heavy penetration.
Next, you will set your washing machine to a low, gentle cycle and with cold water. In terms of detergent, opt for a light detergent and use approximately half the dosage for any standard wash.
From here, you can allow your canvas shoes to clean for the full cycle and remove once completed.
Drying Your Canvas Shoes
After washing your canvas shoes, it’s equally important to ensure proper drying.
Although tempting, be sure not to place your washed shoes in the dryer. Not only is this likely to shrink your shoes, but it may also damage and misshape them.
Instead, allow your shoes to dry naturally. This can be done indoors as well as outdoors in the sun. The best method for keeping shape is to place newspaper inside of the shoe to help preserve shape.
It’s important to resist the urge to use a heat source to dry your shoes. Something such as a dryer vent or a dryer machine can weaken the glue and cause your shoes to dismantle.
Finally, your canvas shoes are spic and span. Now the only thing that’s left to do is check out your reflection in a full length mirror and appreciate just how fine you look!
Keeping Your Canvas Shoes Clean
Did you know that Americans throw away nearly 300 million pairs of shoes each year?
When we consider this number over the span of a lifetime, it’s simple to see how global waste has become such a serious issue for our planet. The good news is that there are steps we can take to minimize our everyday waste.
First and foremost, this begins with recycling items that we already own such as our shoes. While this may involve a few key cleaning products and some elbow grease, it’s very simple to prolong the lifespan of our shoes.
With the proper cleaning techniques, a dirt-laced pair of canvas shoes doesn’t have to be disposable. Not only is this an incredibly wallet-friendly solution to your shoe shopping habits, but it’s also far less harmful to the planet.
In fact, these cleaning techniques will ensure that your canvas shoes can be worn for years to come! Whether you opt to clean by hand or to utilize a washing machine, you can rest assured that your canvas shoes will last for years to come.
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