Everyday foot travel can leave a faithful pair of shoes looking worse for wear. Some shoe materials, like canvas, stain easier than more durable components, such as leather. Still, even tough shoe materials aren't impervious to staining via contact with the environment. Cleaning dirty shoes quickly, before the mud sets in, and drying prior to water damage is crucial for maintaining your original shoe look. However, discolored shoes may be restored if you're willing to spend some time cleaning the shoes.

Take the shoes outdoors and bang the soles on a hard surface to remove any crusted dirt. Brush away the debris with a shoe brush.

Place the shoes on newspaper or an old towel. If the shoes are wet, blot away the excess from the outside with a soft towel. Stuff newspapers or a small towel on the inside to draw the remaining moisture out. Place the shoes in a dry location, away from direct sunlight for an hour or overnight if the shoes are soaked.

Apply a cream, leather polish to the shoe in a color that matches the leather. Rub the product into the entire surface of the shoe using a soft cloth.

Dab on a waterproofing compound to protect the shoes before your next outdoor adventure. Apply the compound with a lint-free cloth and let the shoes dry overnight before wearing them.

Brush canvas shoes with a soft shoe brush to remove ground-in and surface dirt.

Wet a cloth with warm water and grab a gentle bar or liquid soap. Rub the cloth together with the soap to create a lather.

Scrub the canvas with the soapy cloth, paying special attention to discolored, stained areas.

Wipe away soapiness with a damp, clean cloth. Set the shoes on a flat surface to dry, away from direct heat. Using a washing machine and dryer to launder shoes may damage or warp the shoes.

Rub a suede shoe brush over the surface of the shoe. This will invigorate the fabric and remove debris.

Address oily spots by sprinkling talcum powder of the shoe fabric. Leave the powder in place for a few hours, long enough to absorb the oil. Brush the powder away over a garbage can or outdoors.

Clean the shoes with suede shoe solvent. Follow the product manufacturer's directions.