Cleaning White Canvas Shoes With Common Household Ingredients

A nice pair of white shoes can be very versatile.  They're as classic as black flats but match with the lovely pastel dresses of spring and summer.  But some might shy away from them because they become dirty so easily.  Doesn't it seem like your feet are stepped on more frequently when wearing white sneakers?  There's a whole branch of science dedicated to this idea that things naturally become less perfect (or more chaotic) over time -- known as entropy.  In short: it's supposed to happen by the laws of physics.  But while science may soil them, we can also use science to clean them, as well as 5 common household ingredients.  

[before and after pictures to come once they dry]

What you'll need:

1. Soilove (ok, so this may not be as common as baking soda, but this is the best stain-remover I've used and should be a common ingredient in all homes. Click here for safety information)
2. cotton ball, rag or spray bottle
3. 3/4 cup baking soda
4. 1/4 cup water
5. scrub brush or old toothbrush - don't plan to use it for your teeth after this

What to do:

1. Remove initial stains by rubbing Soilove onto a small cotton ball or rag.  If you have a spray bottle, you can also cover spots with a light spray.  Wash hands immediately after using Soilove - it can irritate skin after a while.  If you are using the spray bottle, you won't be able to use it again for cooking, baking, watering plants, or similar activities.
2. Leave shoes to soak in Soilove for approx. 15-30 minutes. If stains don't appear to fade after 10 minutes, apply another coat. 
3. Rinse shoes completely with cold water directly under a faucet, rubbing on stains with hands. If any spots are still noticeable, apply another coat of Soilove and wait 10 min. 
4. Rinse shoes again, this time with hot water.  Stains will be removed by either hot or cold water, depending on the stain.  Chances are there's more than one type on your shoes, so do both to remove both.  Some stains (like blood) will set with hot water so be sure to rinse cold first. 
5. Combine baking soda and water in a bowl.
6. With brush, scrub the mixture all over the shoes.  This will help brighten shoes and keep white from turning to cream. Let shoes sit for about 5-10 min. 
7. Rinse shoes with warm water, and leave to dry.  They will likely take at least 24 hours to dry, so don't clean them if you plan to wear them the next day.

The science behind it:

Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. When added to water, it ionizes into a solution with hydroxide ions - making it basic.  Most common household cleaners, like body soap or floor cleaner, are basic solutions with a pH level between 11-14 - known to be the target range for removing oil and grease.

So whether you cook with grease and oil often, roll around in the grass with your pets, or simply have the laws of physics working against you, you need no longer fear to wear white shoes.