How to Clean Shoelaces

Early shoelaces were made from materials such as leather, hemp or cotton – all typical materials used to make ropes. ^{[1] X Source of Research} However, improvements in the production of synthetic fibers such as nylon, ppyester and stretch materials have resulted in many different types of shoelaces in addition to natural materials. With more and more fashion options available for shoe accessories, you’ll definitely want to keep your shoelaces clean and new.

Table of Contents

Clean white shoelaces

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Remove the shoelaces. Cleaning shoelaces is easier and more effective when you remove the laces from your shoes.

Use your hands or a brush to remove dirt or mud from the shoelaces. Dirt or dried mud on shoelaces will be easily cleaned with a gentle scrub.

Mix a solution of 3 tablespoons of bleach with about 4 quarts of water in a sink or basin. You can also add a little soap or laundry detergent to the water to further aid in cleaning shoelaces.

Put the shoelaces in a small mesh bag and soak in the mixed solution for a few minutes. Use a spatula or spatula to stir the shoelaces. You can use a clean heavy object to place on the shoelaces so that they do not float in the water.

NOTE: Wear gloves and avoid dipping your bare hands in bleach as skin irritation may occur.

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Wash shoelaces in the washing machine. Put the shoelaces still in the mesh bag in the washing machine with detergent and 1/2 cup bleach and wash on hot water. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Hang the shoelaces above the sink or towel and air dry. To avoid damaging the thick laces and shrinking the laces, do not put the shoelaces in the dryer. This will damage the elastic or the structure that keeps the laces strong. It will take a few hours for the shoelaces to dry completely.

Pierced shoelaces. If the ends of the shoelaces are damaged during the washing process, you can use tape to wrap the two ends of the shoelaces to easily thread the laces through the shoe holes.

Clean colored shoelaces

Remove the shoelaces. Cleaning shoelaces is easier and more effective when you remove the laces from your shoes.

Use your hands or a brush to remove dirt or mud from the shoelaces. Dirt or dried mud on shoelaces will be easily cleaned with a gentle scrub.

Fill the sink or basin with warm water and add some soap or laundry detergent. The water will wet the shoelaces. The soap loosens dirt particles from the material of the shoelace, making it easier to clean the laces.

Let the shoelaces soak in the soapy water for a few minutes. Wait for the shoelaces to get completely wet. The laces will swell slightly and the dirt on the surface will fall off. Stir the shoelaces in the water if you want to speed up the cleaning.

Use a small brush (or an old toothbrush) to brush the shoelaces. Pay attention to the ends of the shoelaces as they can crack or come off if you apply force.

Fill the sink or basin with clean water to rinse the shoelaces. If there is still dirt, you can repeat steps 2 to 6 until the shoelaces are clean.

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Hang the shoelaces above the sink or towel and air dry. To avoid damaging the ends of the laces and causing the laces to shrink, do not put the laces in the dryer. This will damage the elastic or the structure that keeps the laces strong. It will take a few hours for the shoelaces to dry completely. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Pierced shoelaces. If the ends of the shoelaces are damaged during the washing process, you can wrap the ends of the shoelaces with duct tape to make it easier to get the laces through the eyelets.

Cleaning leather shoelaces

Clean dirt or debris from the shoelaces with a toothbrush or similar small brush. Cleaning dirt at this step can save you effort and preserve the integrity of the material. This type of shoelace is not as absorbent as synthetics and does not need to be treated as if it were absorbent.

Use saddle soap (soap for leather) and warm water to clean leather shoelaces. Quickly dip the laces in the water, gently applying soap to the entire laces. Do not soak shoelaces in soapy water as this will discolor the leather or discolor the leather material. Then wipe the shoelaces with a wet cloth.

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Dry shoelaces on lining fabric or old newspaper. You should only dry the shoelaces naturally and avoid direct sunlight because the leather material will be bleached and discolored. The shoelaces should be completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Apply a natural oil, such as olive or coconut oil ^{[4] X Source of research} to keep skin looking good. Use a clean towel to apply the oil. It is recommended that you do this on the lining and wearing gloves as the oil used to preserve the leather can stain other surfaces. Let the oil penetrate the skin. This step will soften and help the shoelaces look better. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Let the shoelaces dry for a few hours. After the first hour, you need to wipe off the excess oil on the shoelaces. Wait for the laces to dry completely before putting them on so as not to stain the shoes or damage the laces. Mink oil is similar to human grease and will feel greasy on most fabrics if not absorbed properly.

Advice

You can simply change the laces and clean the shoes according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Changing shoelaces is usually less expensive because trying to clean dirty shoelaces is sometimes even more wasteful.

Warning

Be careful when using bleach as it can discolor clothes or cause burns to bare skin.

Steps

Clean white shoelaces

Clean colored shoelaces

Cleaning leather shoelaces

Advice

Warning

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