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How to Remove Jean Stains From Canvas Sneakers

Kaye Wagner

Denim is made from cotton fibers, which are naturally off-white. This requires the manufacturer to dye finished denim. This dye, especially if it is dark, can rub off on canvas shoes. You might have noticed that your jeans came with a disclaimer that they might cause dye stains on furniture and shoes.

Clean canvas stains carefully.

Prevent this by washing the jeans on their own several times before wearing them or by not wearing canvas shoes because these can be harder to clean than leather and plastic shoes.

Tip

Replace the shoelaces with new ones if you cannot get the dye stains off them.

  1. Remove the laces from the shoes. Run them through the washing machine if they have stains from jeans on them.

  2. Brush the shoes with a dry brush to remove loose dirt and debris. This will prevent the dirt from staining the shoes when you get them wet.

  3. Soak a terrycloth in lukewarm water. Apply one drop of mild dish soap to the cloth.

  4. Rub the cloth into the denim stain. Work from the edges of the stain toward the center to ensure you don’t spread it. Use as much soap as necessary until the stain is gone or until it is as light as possible.

  5. Rinse the area with clear water until the soap residue is gone. Avoid getting the sole wet because it takes a long time to dry. Don’t get the sole wet if it is made of raffia.

  6. Apply a laundry spot remover to the stain if it is still visible. Work until the stain is gone.

  7. Rinse the area with lukewarm water to remove all of the residue.

  8. Stuff the shoes with dry paper towels and put them in a ventilated area to dry.

  9. Put the clean shoelaces back on the shoes.

The Drip Cap

  • Denim is made from cotton fibers, which are naturally off-white.
  • Brush the shoes with a dry brush to remove loose dirt and debris.
  • Rinse the area with clear water until the soap residue is gone.
  • Don’t get the sole wet if it is made of raffia.
  • Work until the stain is gone.