How to Clean Shoelaces

How do you like dirty shoelaces on a clean pair of shoes? My guess? Not at all.

That is why you are here. To learn some shoelace cleaning chops.

So, let me show you how to clean every type of shoelace – from cotton to polyester and from suede to leather. You would be able to clean any type of shoelace after reading this article.

And I will also show you how to fix frayed shoelaces.

Precautions

1. Use the method appropriate for the material of your shoelaces.
2. Use oxygen-based bleach to whiten your shoelaces. Do not use chlorine bleach as it will damage the laces’ fibers.
3. Do not wring out the shoelaces, as this might damage the fabric.
4. Avoid using the dryer to dry the shoelaces. The heat from the dryer will damage the fabric of the shoelaces. It can also melt the plastic aglets.
5. Do not use hot water to clean shoelaces. Hot water can damage the plastic aglets and the fabric.
6. Handle the waxed shoelaces gently to prevent the wax from wearing off. Laces with waxed finish can unravel if they get too wet.

Preparation

1. Remove the dirty shoelaces from the shoes.
2. Brush off stuck-on debris and loose dirt from the shoelaces using an old toothbrush.

Cleaning Cotton and Polyester Shoelaces

Cotton and polyester shoelaces can be cleaned in several ways. You can hand wash them with baking soda, and warm water paste or machine wash them with laundry detergent on a delicate cycle.

Polyester shoelaces can be washed more frequently than cotton laces. This is because polyester is a more durable material that can withstand repeated washing.

Cleaning Shoelaces in the Washing Machine with Laundry Detergent

Materials Required

1. Laundry detergent
2. Stain remover (OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder recommended)
3. Small Mesh Laundry bag

Process

1. Check the shoelaces for visible stains. If there are any, treat them with a stain remover. If you don’t have a stain remover, mix equal parts of laundry detergent and baking soda to form a paste. Treat the stains with the paste.
2. Leave the shoelaces for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Tie the shoelaces together in a loose knot. Put the shoelaces in a mesh bag or laundry bag. This will prevent the laces from getting tangled.
4. Toss the bag in the washing machine. Wash the shoelaces on a delicate cycle using cold water and a few drops of laundry detergent.
5. After the wash cycle is completed, remove the shoelaces from the mesh bag.
6. Allow the shoelaces to air dry on a drying rack.

Cleaning with Baking Soda

Materials Required

1. Baking Soda
2. Warm water
3. A soft-bristled toothbrush
4. Stain remover

Process

1. Mix equal parts of baking soda and water in a bowl. Stir the mixture to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the shoelaces and scrub them gently with a soft-bristled brush. You can also use an old toothbrush for scrubbing the shoelaces. Focus on particularly dirty or stained parts of the shoelaces.
3. Cover the shoelaces with the mixture and leave them for 5 to 10 minutes. This will let the mixture work on the dirt and stains.
4. After 10 minutes, rinse the laces with clean water. Make sure to remove all the baking soda paste from the laces.
5. Allow the shoelaces to air dry on a drying rack.

Cleaning Leather and Suede Shoelaces

Leather and suede shoelaces can be cleaned with saddle soap or leather cleaner. Avoid using harsh cleaners or detergents for cleaning leather shoelaces, as they can damage the leather or suede material.

The following methods work for suede or leather shoelaces of any color, including white leather laces.

Cleaning with Saddle Soap and Warm Water

Materials Required

1. A soft-bristled brush
2. Saddle soap
3. Warm water
4. Olive oil
5. A cloth

Process

1. Create a lather with the saddle soap and warm water.
2. Apply the lather to the shoelaces with a cloth and scrub them gently. Avoid getting them too wet. You can scrub the particular stained part with a soft-bristled brush.
3. Wipe the shoelaces with a damp cloth to remove all the soapy residue.
4. Pat the shoelaces dry with a clean and dry cloth. Let them air dry in a shaded but well-ventilated place. You can also use paper towels to dry the clean shoelaces.
5. Once the shoelaces are completely dry, rub a small amount of olive oil on their surface to condition them. Instead of olive oil, you can also use suede and leather conditioner.

Cleaning Shoelaces with Leather or Suede Shoe Cleaner

Materials Required

1. Leather or Suede Shoe Cleaner (KIWI, Bickmore, COACH recommended)
2. A microfiber cloth

Process

1. Apply a few drops of leather or suede shoe cleaner to a microfiber cloth.
2. Gently scrub the shoelaces with that microfiber cloth.
3. After wiping the shoelaces with the shoe cleaner, wipe them with a clean cloth to remove the cleaner from their surface.
4. Allow the shoelaces to air dry on a drying rack.
5. Once the shoelaces are completely dry, you can condition them with a suede or leather conditioner. This will prevent them from cracking.

Cleaning Colored Shoelaces with Laundry Detergent

Colored shoelaces are comparatively easy to clean as they don’t show much dirt.

However, you have to be careful while cleaning your colored shoelaces, as some cleaners can cause their color to bleed or fade.

Therefore, avoid using harsh cleaners like bleach and hydrogen peroxide to prevent your colored laces from fading.

Materials Required

1. Laundry detergent
2. Warm water
3. An old toothbrush

Cleaning Process

1. Fill a bowl with one cup (8oz) of warm water and add one tablespoon of laundry detergent. Stir to form a cleaning solution.
2. Soak the shoelaces in the cleaning solution for 15 to 20 minutes. This will loosen the dirt and stains from the shoelaces.
3. Stir the laces with your hand to remove the remaining stuck dirt.
4. Remove the laces from the cleaning solution and gently scrub them with an old toothbrush. Be careful of the aglets, as they might peel if handled roughly.
5. After scrubbing the colored shoelaces, rinse them with clean water.
6. Allow the shoelaces to air dry on a drying rack. Do not dry your colored shoelaces in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can fade the color of shoelaces.

How to Clean White Shoelaces 

Cleaning Shoelaces Using Bleach

Materials Required

1. Bleach
2. Baking Soda
3. Mesh Laundry bag
4. Water
5. A soft-bristled toothbrush

Machine Washing

1. Check the white shoelaces for stains. Spot treat the stains by applying bleach and water solution. Use oxygen bleach as chlorine bleach can damage the fabric of the laces.
2. Allow the shoelaces to sit for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Tie the shoelaces together in a loose knot. Put the shoelaces in a mesh laundry bag or a lingerie bag. This will prevent the laces from getting tangled.
4. Toss the bag in the washing machine. Wash the shoelaces on a delicate cycle using cold water and one tablespoon of laundry detergent.
5. After the wash cycle is completed, remove the shoelaces from the mesh bag.
6. Allow your white shoelaces to air dry on a drying rack.

Hand Washing

1. Fill a container with four cups (32 oz) of water and add half a tablespoon of bleach. Stir to create a cleaning solution.
2. Fully submerge your white shoelaces into the solution. Allow them to bleach soak for about five minutes.
3. Use a spatula or spoon to stir the laces. Wear rubber gloves while handling bleach solutions to prevent skin irritation.
4. Remove the shoelaces from the bleach solution and scrub them using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a small scrub brush.
5. Rinse the white shoelaces thoroughly with clean water.
6. Allow the laces to air dry on a drying rack.

Cleaning Shoelaces Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Materials Required

1. Hydrogen peroxide
2. Water
3. A cloth

Process

1. Mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and half a cup (4 oz) of water in a bowl. Mix the solution well.
2. Soak the shoelaces in the solution. Make sure that the laces are fully submerged in the solution.
3. Let the laces soak in the hydrogen peroxide solution for an hour.
4. After one hour, rinse the laces with clean water.
5. Wipe the laces dry with a cloth. The cloth will absorb the excess moisture.
6. Finally, allow the shoelaces to dry in a dryer rack.

Even dull shoelaces can be whitened with hydrogen peroxide. You can use this method on cotton, polyester, suede, and hemp white shoelaces.

Removing Stains From Shoelaces

Oil or Grease Stains

1. Sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder on the oil stain.
2. Let the powder sit for 20 minutes. In this period, the talcum powder will absorb the oil from the shoelaces.
3. After 20 minutes, brush off the talcum powder with a clean cloth.
4. Repeat this process if the stain is still visible.
5. Finally, wash the shoelaces with laundry detergent and let them air dry.

Mud Stains

1. Wipe off the wet mud from the laces with a damp towel. 
2. Add two tablespoons of detergent to one (8 oz) cup of water. Mix well to create a cleaning solution.
3. Soak the shoelaces into the cleaning solution for a few minutes.
4. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub off the dirt from the laces.
5. Allow the laces to air dry on a drying rack.

Grass Stains

1. Wipe the shoe laces with a damp cloth.
2. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of water in a bowl. Stir the mixture to form a paste.
3. Apply the solution to the stained area of the shoelaces using an old toothbrush.
4. Rinse the shoelaces with warm water and let them air dry.

Paint Stains

1. Wipe the wet paint from the shoelaces with a dry cloth and rinse the laces with warm water.
2. Mix one tablespoon of dish soap and one tablespoon of warm water in a bowl. Stir well to make a soapy solution.
3. Damp a dry cloth into the soapy solution and wring out the excess.
4. Gently rub the stained areas of the shoelaces with that damp cloth.
5. Put the laces in a laundry bag and toss them in the washing machine. Wash the shoes with cold water in a delicate cycle in the washer.
6. Once the wash cycle is complete, remove the laces from the bag and let them air dry on a drying rack.

Fixing Frayed Laces and Broken Aglets

Materials Required

1. Cotton thread
2. Craft glue 
3. Toothpaste

Process

1. Glue the frayed end of the shoelaces with a tiny amount of glue.
2. Start winding the frayed end with cotton thread around 1 cm opposite from the end. Try winding it tightly and finish towards the tip.
3. Once you are finished winding, tie both ends of the thread tightly. 
4. Let the laces dry for 10 minutes.
5. Apply a bit of white toothpaste, Spread it out to make it an even surface, and let it dry.
6. Once the toothpaste is dried, brush the excess with a toothbrush.

You can watch a video tutorial here-

Caring and Storing Tips

1. Clean your laces regularly to prevent dirt and grime build-up. You can clean the shoes together with the shoes. However, if you wear your shoes daily, you should clean the laces more often than the shoes.
2. When not in use, wrap the laces around a shoehorn to prevent them from tangling. You can also use a binder clip or hair tie to keep the laces together.
3. Wash your white shoelaces regularly, especially after a lot of activity or use. This will allow the laces to stay white and bright.
4. Do not put a muddy pair of laces on a clean pair of shoes. Dirty laces can transfer dirt and stains to your clean shoes.

FAQ

How can I get my shoelaces white again without bleach?

There are a few ways you can clean your white shoelaces without bleach. You can use a vinegar mixture with one part vinegar and one part water. Rub this mixture over the shoelaces with a cloth, rinse well and let them dry.

You can also use hydrogen peroxide solution for cleaning white shoelaces.

How do you dry shoelaces fast?

If you need to dry your shoe laces quickly, you can put them in the sun. You can also put the laces on a clean towel and roll them up to help absorb the moisture.

Avoid using the dryer to dry the shoelaces, as the heat can damage them. Do not dry your laces in the tumbler, as this can damage the aglets and the materials.

Can I use Lemon Juice to clean white shoelaces?

You can use lemon juice to clean white shoelaces as it has bleaching properties. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the clean water and soak the laces for 15 minutes. Rinse the laces with clean water and allow them to dry completely before using them again.

How can I get my shoelaces white again without bleach?

There are many ways you can clean your shoelaces without bleach. One of the methods is using the vinegar solution. Mix vinegar and water together to make the vinegar mixture. Rub this mixture over the shoelaces with a cloth, rinse well and let them dry.

Can aglets be repaired?

Yes, aglets can be repaired using a combination of glue and toothpaste. Apply a small amount of glue to the broken aglet. Rub the toothpaste over the glued area until it is smooth. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

How do you replace a metal aglet?

Metal aglets can be replaced using pliers to twist them off and then twisting on a new one. Ensure the new aglet is the same size and shape as the old one.

Conclusion

That’s it! Now you know how to clean all types of shoelaces. Remember to take precautions while cleaning your shoelaces.

With little care and regular cleaning, you can keep your shoelaces in good condition and use them for a long time.