How to Clean Keds

Co-authored by Marc Sigal

Keds are comfortable and stylish, but if worn for a long time, the canvas can become dirty and stained. Keds should not be put in the washing machine, but fortunately, cleaning Keds by hand is a fairly simple process. You can either use a baking soda paste to remove dirt, or you can wash them with water and detergent. If your Keds are very dirty, you can use both methods for a deep clean. There are even some special techniques you can try to get rid of specific stains.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Dirt with Baking Soda Paste

1
Remove laces and inserts. Before you clean your Keds, you should take out both the laces and any inserts inside of the shoe. The laces can be cleaned in the washing machine, by hand in the sink, or simply replaced. You should set aside the inserts until you are finished cleaning. If they are smelly or dirty, you may want to replace them.
2
Brush off loose dirt. Use a toothbrush or scrub brush, and gently work your way around the shoe to remove loose dirt before you begin cleaning. You may also tap together your shoes to help knock off dust. This will make your job easier when cleaning.^{[1]
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3
Make a paste. You will need a cup of water, one tablespoon of baking soda, and two tablespoons of white vinegar. Mix these together in a bowl until they form a paste.^{[2]
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4
Scrub with a toothbrush. Using a toothbrush, apply the paste to the shoes. Scrub thoroughly to dislodge dirt. Work your way around the entire shoe. You can use the paste on both the soles and the canvas.^{[3]
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- Do not use the toothbrush again after cleaning your Keds with it.
5
Rinse. Use cold or lukewarm water to rinse the paste off of the shoes. Let them dry for 24 hours. Stuff the insides with newspaper, and set them in a dry area away from direct heat. You can let them dry in the sun if you would like.^{[4]
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- If your Keds are still dirty, try washing them in the sink them after this step.
- Stuffing the shoes while they dry allows them to keep their shape.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing Your Keds

1
Mix detergent and water. In a sink or bucket, mix about one or two teaspoons (15 to 30 ml) of mild laundry detergent with a quart of lukewarm or cold water. Stir together so that the water is soapy.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- A mild detergent, like Ivory Snow or Seventh Generation, is best for cleaning canvas shoes like Keds because they help protect the color. Look for detergents that are labeled as suitable for delicates.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Marc Sigal
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
2
Scrub the shoes. Before you put the shoes in the water, remove the laces and any inserts. Soak the shoes. Use a toothbrush, a scrub brush, or a cotton cloth to gently clean around the shoe. Make sure to go around both the canvas and the soles.
- If you want, you can clean your laces in this same water. Soak the laces, and use the brush to remove any visible dirt.
3
Rinse under a faucet. Once the shoes are clean, rinse them with cold, clean water. Do not use the same water that you used to wash them. Run the water over the shoes until there are no longer any soap suds.
- After rinsing, you can use a towel to remove excess water. Wrap the towel around the shoes, and gently press to soak up water. Do not wring or squeeze the shoes tightly.
4
Let them dry. Do not put your Keds in the dryer. Instead, let them air dry. Stuff the insides with tissue, paper towels, or newspaper. Keep them in a dry area without direct heat. They may take overnight to dry.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.}
- You can place your Keds out in the sun to dry, but avoid putting them near direct heat sources, such as a hairdryer or a heat vent. Direct heat can weaken the glue in your shoes.
- Do not put the laces and inserts back until the shoe is completely dry. If you washed your laces, make sure they are dry as well.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Stains

1
Apply homemade solutions for yellow stains. It is a common mistake to try to clean white Keds using bleach, but bleach can actually cause canvas to turn yellow. These stains may be permanent, but there are a few techniques you can try before giving up.
- Mix half a cup of cream of tartar with a quart of hot water. Soak your Keds in this overnight.
- You can also try making a paste out of baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the canvas, and leave it overnight. Clean as usual the next day.
- Applying hydrogen peroxide directly to the stains may also help. If it doesn't work at first, try a few more applications.^{[8]
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2
Mix vinegar and water to remove salt stains. Salt stains may appear on your shoes during winter if the streets and sidewalks are salted. To remove salt stains, mix one part vinegar with two parts water. Using a paper towel or white cloth, blot the stain with the mixture. Take another clean cloth dampened with just water, and dab the vinegar away. Let them dry completely before wearing.^{[9]
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3
Use rubbing alcohol to get rid of mildew. Mold and mildew can form if your Keds became wet and dried improperly. To get rid of mold and mildew, mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. Use a rag or cotton towel to apply this solution to the mildew and gently scrub it away. Rinse the shoes afterwards.^{[10]
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4
Scrub the soles to get rid of dirt and grass stains. Mix a mild laundry detergent with about one tablespoon of bleach. Use a white cloth or toothbrush to apply this mixture to the non-canvas parts of the shoe, such as the sole and the white border around the bottom of the shoe. Scrub to remove dirt.^{[11]
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- Do not apply any solution with bleach in it to the canvas, as it may cause the canvas to stain yellow.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you clean white Keds?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

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Fill a small bowl with warm water and mix in a few drops of a mild laundry detergent. Then, grab a clean cloth and dip it in your cleaning solution. Blot any stains or dirt away before letting your shoes air dry.
Question

Can canvas sneakers go in the dryer?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

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No! Don't put canvas sneakers in the dryer. Instead, stuff your shoes with paper and set them in front of a fan to dry.
Question

What laundry detergent is best for cleaning shoes?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

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Choose a mild detergent, such as Ivory Snow or Seventh Generation. These detergents can clean your shoes without damaging the color.