2 Ways to Clean Shoelaces

How to Wash Shoelaces
Detergent	High-performing detergent; use chlorine bleach for white cotton or oxygen bleach for colors
Water Temperature	Hot or warm
Washer Cycle	Normal
Drying Cycle Type	Drip-dry only
Special Treatments	Pre-treat with detergent or stain remover; use mesh bag or hand-wash
Ironing Settings	Cotton setting or warm
How Often to Wash	As needed

How to Wash Shoelaces in the Washing Machine

1. Remove the Laces From the Shoes

   Wash shoelaces separately from the shoes so that every surface is easier to clean.

2. Rinse Away Surface Soil

   Hold muddy laces under a faucet running cold water at full force to remove the loose soil.

3. Pre-treat the Laces

   Dip an old toothbrush or a small soft-bristled brush in a dab of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent or an enzyme-based stain remover.

   Use the brush to work the detergent into both sides for the laces, working on a flat surface.

4. Place the Laces in a Mesh Laundry Bag

   Place laces in a mesh laundry bag to keep them from becoming tangled in the washer.

5. Wash With a Load of Laundry

   Toss the mesh bag into a load of similar colored and wash in warm to hot water with a heavy-duty detergent.

6. Hang the Laces to Drip Dry

   Hang the laces over a drying rack or towel rod to drip dry. If you must speed up the drying time, roll them in a thick, terry cloth towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.

   Warning

   Never put shoelaces in a dryer; the heat can melt the plastic tips.

How to Hand-Wash Shoelaces

Remove the laces from the shoes, rinse off loose surface soil, and pre-treat with heavy-duty detergent or an enzyme stain remover. Now you're ready to hand-wash the laces.

1. Mix a Cleaning Solution

   Fill a sink or bucket with four cups of hot water. Add 1/2 teaspoon heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent.

   If you are washing several pairs of laces, double the amount of water and detergent.

2. Submerge the Shoelaces

   Add the laces to the detergent solution and swish them for a few minutes to wet them thoroughly and ensure they are submerged in the solution.

   Allow the laces to soak for at least 30 minutes.

3. Check the Laces

   Give the laces a final swish through the detergent solution, and then rinse with cool water.

   If they are clean and bright, they are ready to hang for drying. If not, it's time to do a bleach and water soak using chlorine or oxygen-based bleach.

4. Rinse and Dry

   Give the laces a final rinse in cool water and hang to drip dry.

How Often to Wash Shoelaces

White shoelaces get noticeably dirtier than colored laces and should be washed as soon as they appear soiled.

Colored laces should be removed and washed when they appear dull or whenever you wash the shoes.

Treating Stains on Shoelaces

To remove stains from white cotton laces, pour two cups of warm water into a plastic or glass bowl and add one teaspoon of chlorine bleach, stirring well to mix.

Add the laces and allow them to soak for five minutes. When the time is up, rinse the laces in cool water. If you are whitening several pairs of laces, double the amount of water and bleach.

For colored laces and those made from synthetic fibers, pour two cups of warm water into a plastic or glass bowl and add one tablespoon of oxygen bleach, stirring well to mix.

Add the laces, swishing them through the solution to wet them thoroughly. Allow them to soak for at least two hours; up to eight hours is fine. Rinse well before drying.

Tips for Washing Shoelaces

• If you don't want to wash your laces all the time, then consider getting colored laces. They don't show dirt as much as white laces; you can go longer without looking like the laces are dingy.
• Wash leather laces with saddle soap and warm water. Allow them to air dry away from direct sun. sun. Once dry, condition them with leather oil to keep them pliant.
• Have a second pair of laces in reserve while soiled laces are washed and dried.
• Store clean laces with the corresponding pair of shoes.
• Use an aglet repair kit to replace missing shoelace tips.