You can easily remove dirt, sand, grass, and other loose stuff from your shoes by shaking them outside or over a garbage can, smacking the soles together, or scrubbing them with a toothbrush. Whatever method you use, doing this will create less work for you in the long run.

Next, remove the laces, submerge them into a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid, and lay them out to dry on a paper towel. If they are really dirty, wash them in a bleach solution diluted with water, or run them through the washing machine in a zippered mesh bag.

For tough stains, scrub in a bit of laundry detergent with your hands or a soft-bristled toothbrush, and let it absorb for a minimum of fifteen minutes. You can use the same gentle spot treatment you use on your clothes or a stronger spot treatment for really tough stains.

This method is the easiest way to clean canvas shoes, but it can damage shoes with embellishments or certain materials like suede, leather, or rope. If you do use the washing machine, place them in a zippered mesh bag and toss them in alongside some towels on a low spin cycle.

Hand washing your shoes is safer in many cases, and you can do this by scrubbing with a brush or cloth dipped in a simple mix of mild dishwashing detergent and warm water. For dirtier shoes, mix one part baking soda and one part white vinegar with one part water to create a paste.