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how to clean shoe laces

Here’s a clear, step‑by‑step guide on how to clean shoe laces at home, plus a few extra tips for whitening and care.

Quick Scoop

If your laces are very dirty or stained, it’s usually best to remove them, soak them in a mild cleaning solution, scrub gently with a toothbrush, rinse well, and air‑dry.

Step 1: Check the material and color

Different laces need slightly different care.

  • Fabric/cotton laces: Most common; safe in warm water with mild detergent.
  • Synthetic (polyester/nylon): Durable, also fine in mild detergent; avoid very hot water.
  • Leather: Do not soak; wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap or leather cleaner.
  • White vs colored:
    • White laces can handle whitening products like baking soda, peroxide, or diluted bleach (with care).
* Colored laces should be washed in cold water and kept away from bleach to prevent fading and color bleeding.

Step 2: Basic prep

A little prep makes cleaning easier.

  1. Remove the laces from your shoes.
  2. Shake or brush off loose dirt with a soft brush or old toothbrush.
  3. If there are obvious stains, dab a bit of liquid detergent or a baking‑soda paste (baking soda + a few drops of water) onto those spots and let sit a few minutes.

Step 3: Hand‑washing method (best all‑round option)

This is the safest method for most laces and usually enough for everyday dirt.

  1. Fill a bowl/sink with warm water (use cold water for colored laces).
  1. Add a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap and mix to make a soapy solution.
  1. Put the laces in and soak 15–20 minutes to loosen grime.
  1. Use a soft brush (or toothbrush) to gently scrub along the length of the laces, focusing on stained areas.
  1. Rinse thoroughly under running water until no soap remains; leftover detergent can attract dirt and cause yellowing.
  1. Gently squeeze out excess water (avoid twisting too hard so they don’t stretch or deform).
  1. Lay flat on a towel or hang to air‑dry , away from direct strong heat or sunlight.

Step 4: Machine‑wash method (for sturdy laces)

If your laces are tough and very dirty, a washing machine can save time.

  1. Place laces in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase so they don’t tangle or get caught.
  1. Use a gentle or normal cycle with cold or warm water and a mild detergent.
  1. Avoid the dryer; high heat can shrink laces or damage plastic tips (aglets). Air‑dry instead.

Step 5: Whitening white laces

For dingy or yellowed white laces, you can use stronger—but still common—whitening options. Always wear gloves for stronger chemicals and ventilate the area.

Option A: Baking soda soak (gentle)

  • Mix about 2 cups warm water with several tablespoons of baking soda, stirring until dissolved.
  • Soak laces 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how stained they are.
  • Lightly scrub, then rinse thoroughly and air‑dry.

Option B: Baking soda + vinegar

  • Add baking soda and a bit of white vinegar to warm water; it will fizz and help lift stains and odors.
  • Soak 15–120 minutes, scrub stubborn spots, then rinse very well so no residue is left.

Option C: Hydrogen peroxide

  • Mix roughly 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 4 parts water.
  • Soak white laces about 30 minutes, check progress, then rinse thoroughly and air‑dry.

Option D: Diluted bleach (last resort)

  • Only for white cotton/synthetic laces and only if other methods fail.
  • Typical mix: a small amount of bleach in a large amount of water (for example, about 1 part bleach to 5–10 parts water).
  • Soak no more than a few minutes (often 5–10 minutes is enough), as longer soaking can weaken fibers and strip natural oils.
  • Rinse extremely well, then air‑dry.

If laces look very thin, brittle, or still badly stained after this, replacement is usually better.

Step 6: Spot‑cleaning without removing laces

If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to unlace your shoes, you can still improve the look.

  • Brush off loose dirt with a dry soft brush.
  • Mix mild soap with water, dip a toothbrush, and scrub along the visible sections of the lace.
  • Wipe away soap with a clean damp cloth, then blot with a dry towel.
  • Let them air‑dry in a well‑ventilated area, away from direct heat.

Extra care tips and when to replace

Regular light cleaning keeps laces looking fresh and stops stains from becoming permanent.

  • Clean laces whenever you deep‑clean your sneakers or notice they’re clearly dulling the shoe.
  • Use cold water and test solutions first on colored laces to avoid color bleeding.
  • Avoid frequent strong‑bleach treatments; they can weaken and fray fibers over time.
  • If laces are frayed, very stiff, or the tips are destroyed, it’s usually time to replace them.

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Learn how to clean shoe laces step by step using simple household products, from gentle hand‑washing to whitening yellowed laces, plus quick spot‑clean tricks and care tips.

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