Article: This is how you clean canvas/fabric sneakers

This is how you clean canvas/fabric sneakers

Q: Make yellowed canvas white again

Use at your own risk and only on white canvas: Over time, white canvas not only often darkens in color, but also loses its original brightness. To whiten a yellowed canvas, mix a portion of baking soda or white vinegar with hot water (⅓ vinegar or baking soda to ⅔ water). Thoroughly soak the material with this mixture and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. Then you can wipe it clean.

Sneakers are rarely made of a single material, so it is essential to understand the care your shoes require. For a comprehensive series of cleaning tutorials, click here .

What you need to know when cleaning canvas/fabric sneakers:

Although canvas is the most common fabric on sneakers, there are also other fabric sneakers. Consider, for example, knitted fabrics or other textile materials. In most cases we recommend treating these with a soft brush.

In this article we will specifically discuss canvas as a fabric:

Canvas is usually made of cotton and has holes. Stains can go deep and are difficult to remove. Cleaning on time is important to prevent permanent stains. Because canvas is sturdy, you can usually use astiff brush . But don't use it on printed canvas, like the logo on Converse or the pictures on Vans.

White canvas can turn gray or yellow after a while. Below you will find a solution:

This is how you clean canvas/fabric sneakers in 7 easy steps

Preparation
Brush dry
Clean lace
Clean sole
Clean canvas/fabric
Let dry
Protect

1. Preparation: make sure you use the right products.

When cleaning canvas/fabric sneakers, it is crucial to use the right products. Avoid household products such as green soap or dishwashing liquid, as these are less effective and can damage the material.

Instead, choose specially developed sneaker care products , such as those from First Amsterdam. We also recommend using shoe trees so that cleaning is easier and the shoe does not deform.

2. Brush dry: brush loose dirt from the sneaker

A good brush is essential to effectively remove loose dirt before wetting the shoe. We recommend always removing loose dirt with a soft brush, such as our premium brush .

Is there mud on the shoe? Then make sure you remove as much of this as possible to avoid brushing it into the material during cleaning.

3. Clean laces: remove the laces and clean them separately

Are your laces very dirty? Remove the laces from the shoe and immerse the laces in a bowl of water containing a suitable sneaker cleaning agent, such as the specially developed cleaning formula from First Amsterdam. If there is a lot of dirt or stains, apply a few extra drops to the laces and rub them between your hands until it foams well.

TIP: Run the wet laces through a microfiber cloth to dry them faster and wipe off the dirt.

Are your laces less dirty? Then you can also leave the laces in the shoe and brush them clean with a soft brush, a little water and the cleaning formula.

TIP : Do not use a hard brush for this, because there is a good chance that the laces will fluff when they come into contact with these hard bristles.

4. Clean the sole: clean the sole properly

Use a stiff brush and a good cleaning agent to clean the soles, so that stubborn dirt does not stand a chance. Don't put too much pressure and let the bristles do the work.

Do stains remain? Then add some of the cleaning solution to a microfiber cloth and rub it on the stain with your index finger to remove it.

5. Clean canvas/fabric: then clean the shoe thoroughly

Is the water very dirty? Preferably replace the water and repeat the steps in step 4. You can use the hard brush for canvas/fabric, but we recommend that you always try with the soft brush first. This way you can be sure that you do not damage the material.

6. Allow to dry: Allow your shoes to dry properly

After cleaning, dry the sneakers with a microfiber cloth . Then let them air out naturally for best results. It is best to leave the shoe trees in the shoe. Keep the shoes away from heat sources such as the sun or a heater. This can cause the shoes to deform and/or discolour.

7. Protect: Use a water and dirt-repellent spray to protect your sneakers

Use a good water and dirt-repellent spray to protect your shoes against unwanted stains and wear. Extend the life of your sneakers and maintain their fresh appearance!

Cleaning tips for canvas sneakers

Use more water and detergent than with leather or suede

Stains can penetrate deep into the fibers of the canvas. In these cases, more water and detergent are needed than with other materials that are less absorbent, such as leather or suede.

Treat stubborn stains with hot water

Warm water is better at removing stubborn stains from fibers than cold water. Hot water can also disinfect and deodorize the material.

Be careful with certain types of stains that can be caused by hot water, such as mud stains.

Use the stiff brush

For stubborn stains, we recommend using the stiff brush or microfiber cloth.

Be careful with printed canvas

To do this, use the soft brush in circular movements. Limit the amount of water you use.

For the remaining stains you can use the microfiber cloth or the stiff brush in a straight movement.

Moisten the entire shoe

Even with a small stain, it is advisable to lightly dampen the entire fabric to avoid the risk of a halo stain* after drying.

*A "halo stain" is a stain that forms when a specific area of a surface is moistened, resulting in a ring-shaped or circular discoloration around that moistened area. It can occur due to differences in humidity, drying times or the way liquid spreads across a material.

Rinse thoroughly

Rinse the canvas with cold water, making sure to thoroughly remove any detergent residue.

This essential step promotes proper drying of the material and prevents drying stains.

Use shoe trees when cleaning and drying

If you are going to clean shoes and let them dry later, we always recommend using shoe trees. In addition to making them easier to clean, this ensures that the shoes do not deform or wrinkle. Wooden shoe trees even absorb moisture and unpleasant odors, which has an additional advantage.

Dry the canvas well

Wipe as much water from the material as possible to avoid the risk of water spots or discoloration after drying.

If a water stain does appear, gently brush it off with a small amount of clear water.

Make yellowed canvas white again

Use at your own risk and only on white canvas:

Over time, white canvas not only often darkens in color, but also loses its original brightness.

To whiten a yellowed canvas, mix a portion of baking soda or white vinegar with hot water (⅓ vinegar or baking soda to ⅔ water).

Thoroughly soak the material with this mixture and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Then you can wipe it clean.

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