Stylish and comfortable, canvas shoes include lace-up tennis shoes, casual sneakers for adults and kids, slip-on boat shoes and canvas oxfords dressy enough for the office. Although the shoes are durable and easy to care for, canvas -- a type of cotton fabric -- is susceptible to dirt and stains. With persistence, though, you can remove even stubborn stains such as ink from a dry-erase marker.
Step 1
Remove shoelaces from the canvas shoes, if necessary.
Step 2
Pretreat the stain with a concentrated gel or liquid stain remover. Work the stain remover gently into the stain with a toothbrush. Before using the stain remover, test it on an inside seam or other inconspicuous area to be sure the substance doesn't affect the shoe color.
Step 3
Mix two or three drops of liquid dish soap in a bowl filled with cool water. Dip the toothbrush into the soapy solution and scrub the stain, working in a circular motion beginning at the outside of the stain.
Step 4
Scrub the shoes lightly with a nylon scouring pad dipped in a paste made of baking soda and water if the stain is still visible. Don't rub hard, because the scouring pad may damage the fabric.
Step 5
Rinse the soap from the shoes with a clean, damp sponge.
Step 6
Stuff the damp shoes with brown paper bags or paper towels. Don't use newspaper or colored paper, which may bleed and discolor the shoes.
Step 7
Place the shoes in a shady spot to dry. Don't attempt to dry the shoes in bright sunlight or near a heater because the heat may break down the adhesives in the shoes.