Alright guys, so today I’m gonna share something kinda cool I messed around with last weekend: changing the color of my Vans shoes. Sounds crazy, right? But trust me, it was a fun little project.

It all started ’cause I was bored. I had this old pair of white Vans that were just sitting in my closet, not getting any love. They were kinda beat up, but I liked the shape and they were comfy. So I was like, “Why not try to do something different with ’em?”
First things first, I hit up the internet. I searched for stuff like “dyeing canvas shoes” and “painting Vans.” Watched a bunch of YouTube videos, read some blog posts. Ended up deciding to go with fabric dye. Seemed like the easiest and most reliable way to get a decent color change.
I went to the local craft store and grabbed a bottle of navy blue fabric dye. Also picked up some rubber gloves (essential!), a plastic bucket, and some salt. Apparently, the salt helps the dye soak into the fabric better. Who knew?
Now, the messy part. I mixed the dye according to the instructions on the bottle in the bucket. Made sure to add the salt and stir it all up real good. Then, I carefully dunked my Vans in there. Made sure they were completely submerged.
This is where the patience comes in. The instructions said to let them soak for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. So, I set a timer and went to watch some TV. Came back every 15 minutes or so to give ’em a stir. They looked pretty dark in the bucket, which was kinda exciting.
After an hour, I took them out of the dye. They were SO blue! I rinsed them under cold water until the water ran clear. This took a while, let me tell ya. Just kept rinsing and rinsing until no more dye was coming out.
Next, I stuffed them with paper towels to help them keep their shape and absorb some of the excess water. Then, I left them to air dry outside. It took a couple of days for them to dry completely, but finally, they were ready.
The Result?
They looked awesome! The navy blue was a really nice, deep color. They weren’t perfect, mind you. There were a few areas where the dye didn’t take quite as well, especially around the seams. But overall, they looked way better than my old, boring white Vans.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! It was a fun and easy way to give my shoes a new life. Plus, now I have a unique pair of Vans that no one else has. Pretty cool, right?
- Things I learned:
- Rubber gloves are a MUST.
- Salt actually makes a difference.
- Rinsing takes forever.
- Patience is key.
Anyway, that’s my little shoe-dyeing adventure. Hope you guys enjoyed it!