Has it ever crossed your mind to lighten the color of canvas shoes or change them to completely white. This article will show you several ways to do this. Apart from that, you can also learn several ways to add interesting designs to canvas shoes.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Starting the Process
Step 1. Choose a well-ventilated place to work
The best place is outdoors. If that's not possible, open the windows wide or turn on the fan. Bleach has a strong odor and can cause headaches if you don't get enough fresh air.
Step 2. Protect the surface you are working on
Spread several sheets of newspaper, a plastic tablecloth, or an old towel over the work surface. This will protect the surface from stains.
Step 3. Try to work in clean shoes
If your shoes are dirty, you may not see the full whitening effect. If necessary, wash the shoes first in a bucket of soapy water, then dry them.
Method 2 of 5: Using a Washcloth
Step 1. Prepare the necessary equipment
This method works best for laces or rubber-toed shoes, such as Converse, but can also be applied to all types of canvas shoes, such as Toms and Vans. Here's a list of the equipment needed:
- Canvas shoes
- Bleach
- Water (optional)
- Bowl
- Old rag
- Rubber gloves
Step 2. Remove shoelaces and set aside
Otherwise, the canvas under the straps retains the original color. In addition, you are also at risk of bleaching shoelaces.
Step 3. Put on rubber gloves
The gloves will protect your hands from the effects of the bleach if the washcloth gets wet.
Step 4. Pour a small amount of bleach into a bowl
You can use a concentrated bleach or dilute it with water first. Concentrated bleach will give faster results, but it can also erode the canvas. Using diluted bleach will take longer, but minimizes damage to the canvas.
Use a balanced ratio if you are diluting bleach; 1 part bleach and 1 part water
Step 5. Take an old washcloth
You may also need a cotton swab or an old toothbrush to treat small areas.
Step 6. Use a cloth to apply bleach to the surface of the shoe
Rubbing bleach on your shoes will make them lighter. Don't worry if the color of the canvas looks weird, for example a dark blue color could turn brown. Over time the color will disappear.
However, don't forget that some types of shoes will never be completely white. For example, most blacks tend to turn brown or orange
Step 7. Repeat this process as many times as needed
If you want to whiten black shoes, you may need a lot of bleach and repeat the process several times. The color of the canvas will get lighter over time. This work may take time and patience.
Use a cotton swab to work in tight areas, such as corners or between eyelets
Step 8. Wash the shoes in a bucket of water and soap
This will stop the bleach from doing its job and prevent it from scraping off the canvas.
Step 9. Let the shoes dry
After that, you may need to wash it to get rid of the strong bleach smell.
Step 10. Put the laces back on when you're done
Method 3 of 5: Using Plastic Containers
Step 1. Prepare the necessary equipment
This method is best applied to shoes made entirely of canvas, such as Vans and Toms. If the shoe has laces or has a rubber cap on the end, use the previous method. Here's the equipment you'll need:
- Canvas shoes
- Bleach
- Water
- Plastic container
- Rubber gloves
Step 2. Remove the insole
If your shoes have insoles, you can pull them out and set them aside. This way, the color of the sole will stay the same as it was when you put it back on. This can make for an interesting contrast.
Step 3. Put on rubber gloves
You must protect your hands from the effects of the bleach.
Step 4. Fill a plastic container with bleach and water
For the concentrated solution, use the same ratio for water and bleach. For a thinner solution, use one part bleach and two parts water.
- The solution of water and bleach should be sufficient enough so that you can completely immerse the shoe.
- The plastic container should be long enough for the shoe to fit completely.
Step 5. Put the shoes in a plastic container
Try to put it upside down (top bottom). This will allow more of the canvas to soak in the bleach.
Step 6. Leave the shoes in the bleach solution until you get the desired effect
This process can take 1-5 hours, depending on how dark the original color of the shoe is and how light you want it to be. Keep in mind that some dark colors won't actually turn white. Some colors, such as black, will turn orange or brown.
Make sure you check your shoes every 10-60 minutes
Step 7. Remove the shoes from the bleach solution, then wash them with soap and water
This way the bleach will stop working. The soap will also remove the strong bleach odor.
Step 8. Allow the shoe to dry before you attach the laces
It may take about 3 hours for the shoes to dry completely.
Method 4 of 5: Using a Spray Bottle
Step 1. Prepare the necessary equipment
You can use a spray bottle to wet the entire surface of the canvas or just want to splash it. Here's a list of the equipment needed:
- Canvas shoes
- Bleach
- Water
- Spray bottle with nozzle
- Rubber gloves
Step 2. Remove the shoelaces
This way, you can spray the bleach more thoroughly and protect the laces from damage.
Step 3. Wear rubber gloves to protect hands
Even if you use a spray bottle, there is a chance that the bleach will get on your skin. Gloves will keep it safe.
Step 4. Fill a spray bottle with bleach and water
For a more concentrated solution, use one part bleach and one part water. To make a thinner solution, use one part bleach and two parts water. Choose a bottle equipped with a nozzle with 3 settings: regular spray, mist spray, and off.
Step 5. Close the bottle, then shake it
This step helps mix the bleach with the water.
Step 6. Start spraying the shoes
Select the “spray” setting to spray the bleach on the shoes. This will create a galaxy-like effect. Use the “fog” setting to spray the bleach evenly over the entire canvas.
Step 7. Let the shoes dry
It may take 20 minutes to several hours for this. The longer you let the shoes dry, the lighter the color will be. Keep in mind that some dark colored fabrics will not turn completely white. For example, black can change to brown or orange.
Step 8. Wash the shoes with soapy water once you get the desired color
This will stop the bleach from working as well as remove the strong odor.
Step 9. Reattach the laces if you removed them
Method 5 of 5: Drawing Designs with Bleach
Step 1. Prepare the necessary equipment
You don't need to bleach your shoes completely; You can draw designs on canvas. The following equipment is needed:
- Canvas shoes
- Bowl
- Bleach
- Small, cheap, stiff-bristled brush
- Whitening pen - bleach in a pen-like package (optional)
Step 2. Draft your design
It is impossible to undo the image you have made on the shoe. For that, take a piece of paper and a pen or pencil, and sketch the design.
Step 3. Consider copying the design onto the shoe using a pencil
This way, you can see the position of the image and prevent errors from occurring.
Step 4. Pour some bleach in a bowl and take a cheap, thin brush
Make sure the bristles are stiff and made of plastic. If the bristles are too soft, it can't hold the bleach. If the brush is made of natural fibers, such as sea urchin, horse, or camel, the bleach will abrade it.
You can also use a whitening pen, although some people have a hard time controlling this. Consider testing a bleach pen on scraps of old fabric first
Step 5. Start drawing the design on the shoe
The bleach won't work right away, but after a while, you'll see the colors start to fade. This will take about an hour.
Keep in mind that some images will not actually turn white. If you want a completely white design, you may need to draw with a special pen (for example, Opaque Fabric Marker)
Step 6. Rinse the shoes once you are satisfied with the color of the resulting design
This will stop the bleach from working and prevent damage to the canvas.
Tips
Bleach can change the color of the rubber cap on the toe. If you're concerned about this possibility, use tape to cover the area
Warning
- Be careful when working with bleach. If you start to feel dizzy, take a break and get some fresh air.
- Not all fabrics will turn white. Some dark colors may turn pink or orange.
- Pay attention to the condition of the fabric. Bleach can erode fabric and make holes in it.
