4 useful tips and 1 unusual "trick" to clean white, canvas shoes
Few things are as comfortable as canvas shoes. Practical to use and beautiful to look at, they can be combined with many different outfits and allow us to play with our fashion look. They can be considered as one of the classic symbols of the coming summer. And with their light and breathable fabric, they always make us feel comfortable and fresh.
However, especially if they are white or a very light color, this footwear can easily get dirty and, over time, they can also turn yellow from continuous exposure to the sun. And popping them in the washing machine is not the most suitable solution as this could ruin the shoes. So, what's the best way to return them to pristine condition?
Below, we suggest 4 useful tips and 1 "trick" to keep your canvas shoes white, bright and clean.
Creativo
Natural cleaning remedies can help us clean our canvas shoes:
- Marseille soap is excellent not only for cleaning shoes, but also leaves a pleasant scent on the fabric. You can use the bar as a scrubber or place a few flakes on a sponge or a toothbrush and rub it into your shoes, concentrating more on the dirty areas. If you prefer, you can choose a liquid soap, to be diluted in a little hot water. Rinse off thoroughly, making sure to remove any soap residue, and leave to dry.
- White vinegar is also great for whitening your canvas shoes without damaging them. Use a cloth or sponge to dab vinegar on your shoes, concentrating on stained areas. Rinse out several times and let them air dry.
- Sodium bicarbonate is the most widespread and effective whitening remedy around and can also be used successfully on canvas shoes. And it will also help remove any bad smells! Prepare a thick paste with 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate and water and rub it on your shoes using a microfibre cloth or sponge. Scrub stubborn stains with a toothbrush, then leave for 20 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly and letting the shoes dry. For a deeper, antibacterial clean, use hydrogen peroxide to prepare the paste.
- Finally, lemon juice can be mixed with a little water and rubbed in a circular motion on the shoes, especially in the stained areas. Alternatively, you can do this with half a lemon, moistening the shoe with warm water first. Expose to sunlight for a few hours, then rinse off with fresh water.
There is also a "trick" that not everyone knows about, but which you can use to remove the most stubborn stains: by suing toilet paper. It may seem unusual, but it is incredibly effective: just place a few layers of water-moistened toilet paper on your shoes and wait for it to dry completely (typically 12 hours). When you remove the toilet paper, your shoes will be perfectly clean and white.
Now you really have no more excuses for walking around with dirty canvas shoes!
