How to Get Paint Off Canvas Shoes

Co-authored by Victor Adrian

Last Updated: November 15, 2024

Whether working on an art project or painting a new room in your home, it is easy to get paint on your shoes. Shoes are often difficult to clean, but your canvas sneakers may not be permanently ruined despite a few paint stains. Depending on the type of paint used, there are a few different methods to remove stains from your canvas shoes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Dry Acrylic Paint

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Use a coarse brush or toothbrush to flake off the dried excess paint. For smaller stains, you may be able to pick off dried chunks with your fingernail. Removing the dried top layer will allow you greater access to the set-in stain underneath. It will also be a more efficient, quicker way of removing the larger part of the stain.
2
Apply a soapy mixture to the stain. Apply a solution of one part detergent, one part warm water, to a damp cloth and apply it to the stained area of the shoe. Depending on the size and strength of the stain, you may need to apply some nail polish remover to a damp cloth and work that into the stain, as well.
- Since acrylic paint is water-based, removing it is usually just a matter of moisturizing it to remove it.
- Do this until the paint softens into the fabric of the shoe. Once the dry paint has softened, it will be easier to dissolve away from the fabric.
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Use a butter knife to scrape off the now soft paint. The paint should rub right off the shoe. There will still be a light layer of paint set into the fabric below. However, the large majority of the paint should now be gone.
Use a solution of one part detergent, one part water, applied to a damp cloth. Continue to rub the remaining stain with the solution. Rinse with cold water by holding the stained area under a faucet. Continue this process until the stain is completely gone.
If the stain still remains, apply some nail polish remover to a damp cloth. Dab it on the stain and continue until it disappears.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Wet Acrylic Paint

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Use a spoon or dull knife to get rid of as much of the paint as you can. Hold the fabric of the shoe tight and gently scoop up the extra paint. This will make it much easier to sponge and blot away the stain.
2
Blot the affected area with a wet cloth. This will dampen the area, making it easier to flush out the stain. It will also make the fabric more pliable and easy to work with. Use lots of water and do not be afraid to reapply as needed.
- Try to keep the canvas as wet as possible. It will be easier to remove the stain if the canvas is wet. The water will keep the fabric flexible and activate the detergent as you work on the stain.
3
Apply a detergent mixture. Mix one part detergent, one part water in a small bowl or bucket.. Apply it to the shoes with a wet sponge and rub into the stain. Do not be afraid of applying pressure and really scrubbing the stain.
- Make sure to use a sponge different from the one you use on kitchen surfaces or utensils.
4
Rinse with water. Simply run the shoe under a faucet with cold water to remove the detergent suds.
- Repeat the above steps until the stain is gone. Apply more pressure and water if you are having trouble removing the stain.
If the stain still remains, apply some nail polish remover to a damp paper towel. Dab it on the stain and continue until it disappears.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Dry Oil-Based Paint

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Use a coarse brush or toothbrush to flake off the dried excess paint. For smaller stains, you may be able to pick off dried chunks with your fingernail. Removing the dried top layer will allow you greater access to the set-in stain underneath. It will also be a more efficient, quicker way of removing the larger part of the stain.
2
Pour paint thinner over the stain. ^{[1]
X
Research source} Hold the shoe over a bowl or tub to catch the excess paint thinner. Pour a thin stream of paint thinner directly over the stain.
- Make sure to use the appropriate type of paint thinner based on which kind of paint the shoes are stained with. Also be sure to read the directions on the paint thinner packaging for details about use.
- You can also apply the thinner with a cotton ball, but make sure not to rub it against the paint. Dab it gently.
Use a dull knife to scrape off the now soft paint. The paint should rub right off the shoe. There will still be a light layer of paint set into the fabric below. However, the large majority of the paint should now be gone.
A few paper towels or an old dish towel that you no longer use near food or dishes will work fine. Place the towel on a flat surface and then lay the shoe on top, with the stained area facing down against the towel.
5
Apply a bit of turpentine to the inside of the shoe behind the stained area. Apply the turpentine to an old sponge or rag, and rub it on the inside of the shoe. Make sure you are holding the shoe with one hand as you apply pressure to the inside of the stain. The paint will begin to come off onto the dry towel you placed on the outside of the shoe.
- Make sure to be wearing a pair of rubber gloves when handling turpentine.
- Continue to replace the dry cloth outside the shoe as it gets wet from the turpentine. The paint will also begin to transfer to the cloth.
- Repeat until the stain has disappeared. Continue to apply turpentine to the sponge, and apply pressure to the area until the turpentine starts to take effect.
Apply the detergent to a dry paper towel or old rag. Rub the outside of the shoe with the dry cloth on the affected area. This will help remove any leftover paint that remains set in the fabric.
7
Soak overnight in a tub of hot water. Use a bucket or laundry sink. Fill with hot water and submerge the shoes completely. Soak them for at least six hours.
- Rub the stain with your thumbs every once in a while to help remove dislodged paint while it soaks.
8
Rinse off the shoes with cold water. Let them air dry, outside if possible. The stain should now be completely gone.
- After being washed and dried, the canvas of the shoe may be a little tighter on your foot. However, the fabric will stretch out through continued wear.
- It's important to dry your shoes, since wet shoes can develop a bad smell or give way to bacteria and fungi.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Wet Oil-Based Paint

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Use a spoon or dull knife to get rid of as much of the paint as you can. Hold the fabric of the shoe tight and gently scoop up the extra paint. This will make it much easier to sponge and blot away the stain.
2
Blot the affected area with a wet cloth. This will dampen the area, making it easier to flush out the stain. It will also make the fabric more pliable and easy to work with. Use lots of water and do not be afraid to reapply as needed.
- Try to keep the canvas as wet as possible. It will be easier to remove the stain if the canvas is wet. The water will keep the fabric flexible and activate the detergent as you work on the stain.
A few paper towels or an old dish towel that you no longer use near food or dishes will work fine. Place the towel on a flat surface and then lay the shoe on top, with the stained area facing down against the towel.
4
Apply a bit of turpentine to the inside of the shoe behind the stained area. Apply the turpentine to an old sponge or rag, and rub it on the inside of the shoe. Make sure you are holding the shoe with one hand as you apply pressure to the inside of the stain. The paint will begin to come off onto the dry towel you placed on the outside of the shoe.
- Make sure to be wearing a pair of rubber gloves when handling turpentine.
- Use the turpentine in a well-ventilated area.
- Continue to replace the dry cloth outside the shoe as it gets wet from the turpentine. The paint will also begin to transfer to the cloth.
- Repeat until the stain has disappeared. Continue to apply turpentine to the sponge, and apply pressure to the area until the turpentine starts to take effect.
Apply the detergent to a dry paper towel or old rag. Rub the outside of the shoe with the dry cloth on the affected area. This will help remove any leftover paint that remains set in the fabric.
6
Soak overnight in a tub of hot water. Use a bucket or laundry sink. Fill with hot water and submerge the shoes completely. Soak them for at least six hours.
- Rub the stain with your thumbs every once in a while to help remove dislodged paint while it soaks.
7
Rinse off the shoes with cold water. Let them air dry, outside if possible. The stain should now be completely gone.
- After being washed and dried, the canvas of the shoe may be a little tighter on your foot. However, the fabric will stretch out through continued wear.
- It's important to dry your shoes, since wet shoes can develop a bad smell or give way to bacteria and fungi.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I remove dry red nail polish from canvas or fabric white shoes?

Community Answer

Nail polish remover is your best friend. If that does not work, give them a good wash and bleach them.

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How do I get paint off of black canvas shoes?

Community Answer

The methods used here will apply to other colored canvas shoes as well. The nail polish remover may bleach a little, but other than that, you can do what this article recommends.

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Will this method work if my shoes are blue, or will it cause the color to change/fade?

Community Answer

This method, for the most part, should work for any color. Applying copious amounts of the nail polish remover will bleach a little, so don't use too much, but what this article recommends should work for your shoes.

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Tips

Try to treat paint stains as quickly as possible. The more it dries the harder it will be to remove the paint. ^{[2]
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you need an easy fix, soak the shoes in hot water and then scrub with soap. Repeat until they are clean. If the shoes are white then use bleach after most of the paint is gone.
Got some white wall paint on my black vans. Used a napkin wet with water & Awesome brand All Purpose Concentrated Cleaner and took off all the paint on my shoes in a few minutes.

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Warnings

Soaking may make your shoes fall apart. If your shoes are expensive do not soak them. Just use bleach, unless they're coloured. In this case, make up a solution of cloth detergent and water and scrub.

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