How to Clean Canvas Shoes

Quick answer: Remove the laces, dry brush off loose dirt, then scrub the entire upper with Ready-To-Use Foam on a soft brush using light circles. Dab and twist a microfiber towel into the canvas to lift the dirty foam, clean the rubber sidewalls with a stiffer brush, and let the shoes air dry out of direct sun. Canvas is cotton, so it soaks up stains and holds on to them. Cleaning the whole panel evenly is what keeps water rings from forming. We clean a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors in the video.

  • Hands-on time: about 15 minutes
  • Drying: air dry, usually overnight
  • Works on: cotton canvas sneakers like Chucks and Vans

Jump to: What you'll need · Steps · Mistakes to avoid · FAQ

What you'll need

Jason Markk Quick Clean Kit with Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner and Delicates Cleaning Brush

Quick Clean Kit

Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner with the soft Delicates brush, for cotton, knits, leather, suede and more.

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Three Jason Markk Premium Microfiber Towels

Premium Microfiber Towels 3-Pack

Absorbs up to 7 times its weight in water and leaves a lint-free finish.

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Jason Markk Essential Kit with Deep Cleaning Solution and Durables Cleaning Brush

Essential Kit

Concentrated Deep Cleaning Solution plus the stiff Durables brush for leather, rubber and plastic.

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The Quick Clean Kit's soft Delicates brush is for the canvas. The Essential Kit's stiff Durables brush is for the rubber sidewalls and toe cap only.

Jason Markk Care Kit: Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner, Delicates Cleaning Brush, Repel Spray and Quick Wipes

Clean, protect and touch up

Everything for canvas in one box

The Care Kit pairs Ready-To-Use Foam and the soft Delicates brush with Repel Spray, the step that keeps canvas looking clean longer, plus Quick Wipes for the rubber.

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Step by step

  1. Removing the laces from canvas sneakers before cleaning

    Take out the laces

    Remove the laces (and the insoles, if they come out) so you can reach the tongue and eyelets. Clean the laces separately.

  2. Dry brushing a canvas sneaker to remove loose dirt

    Dry brush everything Video 0:37

    Brush the whole upper with the soft Delicates brush to remove dust and loose dirt before anything gets wet.

  3. Jason Markk Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner and Delicates brush next to white Converse Chuck Taylors

    Foam the brush Video 0:46

    Apply a liberal amount of Ready-To-Use Foam Cleaner to the bristles, not straight onto the canvas.

  4. Scrubbing white canvas Converse with Ready-To-Use Foam and a Delicates Brush

    Scrub the whole upper Video 0:55

    Use light pressure and small circles. Cover the entire surface of each panel, not just the stain, so you don't create isolated water marks. Repeat until the stains lift.

  5. Wiping a canvas sneaker with a microfiber towel after scrubbing

    Dab and twist with microfiber Video 1:17

    Press a Premium Microfiber Towel into the canvas and twist to soak up as much liquid as possible. It also lifts the last of the stain.

  6. Clean the rubber sidewalls and toe cap

    Repeat the process on the rubber. A stiffer brush, like the Durables brush in the Essential Kit, gets into the texture of the foxing faster. Keep it off the canvas itself.

  7. Applying Jason Markk Repel Spray to white Converse Chuck Taylor canvas sneakers

    Air dry, then Repel

    Let the shoes air dry in a well-ventilated spot away from direct sun and heat. Once they're fully dry, hold Repel Spray upright 6 to 8 inches away and mist the whole surface evenly without saturating it.

Get the foam and brush from the video

Ready-To-Use Foam and the soft Delicates brush clean cotton canvas without scratching it up.

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Mistakes to avoid

  • Only cleaning the stain. A wet spot on dry canvas dries into a ring. Work across the whole panel.
  • Bleach on canvas. It can yellow white cotton and weaken the fibers.
  • Machine washing and the dryer. Agitation and heat are hard on the glued rubber and the shape. Here's when (and how) machine washing is OK.
  • Drying in direct sun or on a heater. Heat can warp the rubber and leave uneven marks on white canvas.
  • Scrubbing hard with a stiff brush. Firm bristles can fuzz canvas. Save them for the rubber.

Keep them clean

Canvas stays cleaner when it's protected. Repel creates a breathable barrier on canvas and cotton that dries clear, and Quick Wipes handle scuffs on the rubber sidewalls when you're out.

Jason Markk Repel Spray bottle

Repel Spray

A durable, breathable barrier that dries clear and protects against liquid and dirt. PFAS-free.

Shop now Repel Spray
Jason Markk Quick Wipes 30 pack

Quick Wipes 30 Pack

Individually packed, plant-based wipes for scuffs and spills on the go. Not for suede or nubuck.

Shop now Quick Wipes 30 Pack

FAQ

Can you put canvas shoes like Converse or Vans in the washing machine?

Check the shoe's care label first. Hand cleaning is gentler on the canvas, the glued rubber and the shape, and it takes about 15 minutes. If you do machine wash, use cold water, a gentle cycle and a mesh bag, then air dry. Our washing machine guide has the full rules.

How do I avoid water stains on canvas?

Clean the entire panel instead of one spot, use foam on the brush rather than pouring water on the shoe, and blot thoroughly with a microfiber towel before air drying.

How do I clean white canvas shoes?

Use the same steps with extra blotting. Change to a clean section of towel often, and dry the shoes away from direct sun. See how to clean white shoes for leather and mesh, too.

Can I use Quick Wipes on canvas?

Quick Wipes are made for leather, nylon, rubber and plastic, so use them on the rubber sidewalls and toe cap. For the canvas itself, use foam and a soft brush.

How long do canvas shoes take to dry?

Usually overnight at room temperature with good airflow. Stuffing them with paper towels helps them keep their shape and dry faster.

Is Repel safe on canvas?

Yes. Repel is safe on most absorbent materials, including canvas, cotton, nylon, knit and mesh. Apply it only to clean, fully dry shoes.

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  1. Dry brush to remove top layer dust and dirt. (0:37)
  2. Apply foam onto the bristles of your cleaning brush . (0:46)
  3. Scrub the shoes using a circular motion. (0:55)
  4. (IMPORTANT) Wipe away any excess solution from the shoe to avoid uneven drying. (1:17)

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