How to Clean White Shoes (Canvas/Sneakers)
What You'll Need
- 2 tbsp
- 1 tbsp
- 1 tbsp
- 1
- 1
- 1
Step-by-Step Method
Take out the laces and insoles. Toss the laces in a mesh bag and wash them in the washing machine. Sprinkle baking soda on insoles and let sit while you clean the shoes.
Use the toothbrush dry to knock off any loose dirt, mud, or debris from the canvas and sole. Get into the seam where the sole meets the upper.
Combine 2 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp white vinegar, and 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide. It will fizz. Stir into a paste.
Dip the toothbrush in the paste and scrub the canvas in small circular motions. Pay extra attention to stained areas. Cover the entire shoe.
Leave the paste on the shoes and place them in direct sunlight for 3-4 hours. The UV light from the sun activates the hydrogen peroxide for extra whitening. The paste will dry and crack.
Clap the shoes together to knock off dried paste. Brush away the rest with the dry toothbrush. Wipe with a damp cloth until clean.
- Do not use bleach on white canvas shoes (yellows the fabric over time)
- Do not put canvas shoes in the washing machine (damages shape and glue)
- Do not put shoes in the dryer (heat melts adhesives and warps soles)
- For rubber soles and midsoles: a melamine sponge (Magic Eraser) removes scuff marks instantly
- Apply a fabric protector spray (like Scotchgard) after cleaning to repel future stains
- For yellowed soles: wrap the sole area in plastic wrap covered in hydrogen peroxide paste, sit in the sun for 2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Three things: spray with fabric protector after every cleaning, wipe off dirt the same day it happens, and never machine wash. Spot cleaning small marks immediately prevents them from setting in.
Yellow staining is caused by either bleach reacting with the fabric, or alkaline soap residue that yellows in sunlight. The baking soda + hydrogen peroxide method avoids both of these problems.
Sources & Methodology
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an oxygen-based bleaching agent activated by UV light. Combined with baking soda, it whitens fabric without the yellowing caused by chlorine bleach.
Last reviewed: March 20, 2026