Canvas shoes can show a lot of wear and tear even the first couple of months after purchasing. Made from either cotton or hemp, the material easily picks up dust, sand and mud. By keeping up the maintenance of your canvas shoes, you can prolong their usefulness and save yourself from buying new shoes.

Take your canvas shoes outside and knock them against a wall to remove any excess dust or mud. If your shoes are wet, allow them to dry before cleaning.

Wipe down the rubber soles and bottoms of the shoes with a wet towel. Remove the shoe laces, which can be cleaned in the washing machine with detergent and warm water.

Mix 1 tsp. of laundry detergent and 2 cups of warm water in a bowel. Dip in a small bristle brush or toothbrush and gently scrub the outside and inside of the shoe.

Remove the shoe liners and scrub with a mixture of 1 tbsp. baking soda and enough water to make a watery paste. Press a moist paper towel against the shoe liner to remove any excess baking soda mixture.

Stuff the shoes with hand towels heated in your dryer. Allow the shoes to air dry. Shoes can be placed in the sun to dry, if they are white, or near an air conditioner if they are colored.