# how am I gonna clean these things?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 30, 2005, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851 "2005-04-30T11:24:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@nevermore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevermore)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2005, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851/1 "2005-04-30T11:24:24Z")
I got [these shoes](http://www.journeys.com/catalog_detail.aspx?c=vendors&s=guys/Diesel&id=29142) about a month ago.
welllllll
I’m not so good at keeping white things white. consequently, the white canvassy parts of the shoe (especially the front top parts) have become this icky brownish bleh. I tried Shout on them, but as I didn’t throw them in the washing machine afterward (figured that’d be a bad idea, with the suede on there & all), I think all that did was spread it around.
so what’s the magical cure, Dopers? toothpaste? peroxide? Miracle Whip?
can I just get ‘em freakin’ dry cleaned??
I’m so clueless. +\_+
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### Author:  [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2005, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851/2 "2005-04-30T12:46:22Z")
Look on the tag on the inside of the shoe. They may be machine washable, even with the suede on them. You can also try carpet stain remover. I had a brand once called Carpet Magic, that when tried in a fit of hopeless desperation, took a cat pee stain off a plush Mickey Mouse. I have since tried another one called Folex that I now use for stains on my light grey carpet. That stuff rocks! Plus, no rinsing is required. Good luck!
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### Author:  [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851/3 "2005-04-30T15:50:53Z")
I used to have great luck with toothpaste on my old Pro Keds.
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### Author:  [@nevermore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevermore)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851/4 "2005-04-30T19:24:18Z")
> [@magellan01](#):
>
> I used to have great luck with toothpaste on my old Pro Keds.
those were probably all leather though, right?
canvas is a bitch.
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### Author:  [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851/5 "2005-04-30T21:58:29Z")
How about using disposable wipes? I use those after mealtime to clean up spills on my clothes and the stain either disappears or is much reduced.
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### Author:  [@MC\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_E)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851/6 "2005-05-01T01:13:40Z")
Make a paste out of Oxy-Clean or one of the other Oxygen cleaners. Rub it in with a toothbrush or something similar. Rinse well.
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### Author:  [@nevermore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevermore)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2005, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-gonna-clean-these-things/301851/7 "2005-05-01T10:05:25Z")
> [@MC$E](#):
>
> Make a paste out of Oxy-Clean or one of the other Oxygen cleaners. Rub it in with a toothbrush or something similar. Rinse well.
hey, that sounds promising!
I’m going to try this first; if it doesn’t work I’ll try the other stuff.
thanks! 🙂