Shaving Cream Tie Dye Canvas Shoes (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

If you’ve ever wondered whether shaving cream tie dye actually works on shoes, I’m here to tell you: it does.

In this tutorial, I’m showing you exactly how I dyed a pair of white canvas shoes using shaving cream and liquid dye. A fun, slightly messy (and very strong smelling) experiment that turned into wearable art.

Shaving cream tie dye Vans slip-on canvas shoes with rainbow colors

This method works especially well on canvas shoes and is a great alternative if you want something different from ice dye or Sharpies.

Supplies You’ll Need

White canvas shoes (new or thrifted)
Shaving cream (I used Barbasol)
Liquid Procion MX dye
Soda ash
Painter’s tape
A large container or tote
Spoon (for mixing)
Gloves (highly recommended)

My shoes happened to be authentic Vans that I bought on Poshmark, but you absolutely do not need name-brand shoes for this. Walmart, Amazon, or thrift store canvas shoes will work just fine.

Step 1: Prep the Shoes

If your shoes are brand new, give them an initial wash then let them air dry. Shoes and fiber from stores is often time coated in stuff to protect it. If you have laces in your shoes, remove them.

Before you start dyeing, tape off the rubber soles using painter’s tape. This helps keep the rubber clean and gives you a much nicer finished look.

Painter’s tape protecting rubber soles before shaving cream tie dye on canvas shoes

Step 2: Prep the Shaving Cream Base

Spray shaving cream into your container. Spraying straight down doesn’t work very well, so tilt or lift your container slightly and spray at an angle.

I used a basic plastic tote just big enough for the shoes to fit inside.

Shaving cream base prepared for shaving cream tie dye shoes in a plastic container

Add a small amount of water to the shaving cream and mix it with a spoon. You’re aiming for a texture similar to meringue.

Tip: Add water slowly. It’s easy to add more, but you can’t take it back out.

Even layer of shaving cream ready for shaving cream tie dye shoes

Step 3: Mix Your Liquid Dyes

For shaving cream tie dye, you’ll want to use liquid dye, not powdered dye sprinkled directly on top.

I mixed my dyes according to Dharma’s instructions:

4 oz water
1 teaspoon dye
Double the dye if the color has a star next to it

The colors I used for this rainbow design were:

Power Berry
Mermaid’s Dream
New Emerald Green
Daffodil
Fire Red

Step 4: Add Dye to the Shaving Cream

Squirt the liquid dye directly onto the shaving cream, then gently mix it so it looks marbled and not fully blended.

Liquid dye applied to shaving cream for rainbow shaving cream tie dye shoes

Because I was doing a rainbow, I mixed only neighboring colors and wiped off the spoon between sections. This prevents mixing all the colors and getting brown.

Marbled dye pattern in shaving cream for shaving cream tie dye shoes

If you’re using a color palette like teal, purple, and navy, you can mix everything together without wiping the spoon.

Step 5: Add Soda Ash (Don’t Skip This)

Before pressing the shoes into the shaving cream, you need soda ash. You can either:

Soak the shoes in soda ash beforehand, or
Sprinkle soda ash directly onto the shaving cream

I sprinkled soda ash on top of the shaving cream, and it worked ok…But I wish I would have soaked them instead.

Step 6: Press the Shoes Into the Dye

Place the shoes upside down into the shaving cream and gently press them in so the fabric makes good contact with the dye.

Canvas shoes pressed into shaving cream tie dye mixture to transfer color

Cover everything and let it sit for about 24 hours.

I’ll be honest, when I uncovered them, I did not think this worked. Trust the process.

Step 7: Rinse and Wash

Start by rinsing the shoes in cool water to remove as much shaving cream as possible.

Once most of the shaving cream is gone, switch to hot water and rinse again.

Rinsing shaving cream tie dye canvas shoes in the sink before washing

After that, wash the shoes in the washing machine.

Drying Notes (Especially for Vans)

If you’re using authentic Vans, be prepared: they take a long time to dry.

Mine took almost three full days to dry completely, even after sitting in the sun. If they still feel damp, give them more time.

Final Results

The colors faded slightly from wet to dry which is totally normal. Overall, I love how these turned out.

This shaving cream tie dye method is a fun alternative to ice dye and Sharpie shoes, and I can’t wait to compare all three.

Finished shaving cream tie dye canvas shoes worn after drying and washing

Want More Tie Dye Projects?

If you’re new to tie dye (or want more consistent results), I have a free printable with 12 beginner-friendly tie dye folds. It’s linked below and makes a great reference guide.

I post new tutorials twice a week and go live on Saturdays. And if you liked these shoes, check out my Etsy shop — there’s always something new.

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