How to Clean Your Shoelaces

Co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim

Last Updated: June 27, 2024 References

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Shoelaces have historically been made of materials like leather, hemp, or cotton—typical rope making materials.^{[1]
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Research source} However, advances in the production of synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester and elastics have made a variety of shoelaces possible, not just ones that occur naturally. With more and more fashionable choices to accessorize your shoes, you'll want to keep them looking clean and fresh.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning White Laces

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It is much easier and more effective to clean your shoe laces once they have been removed from the shoes.
Dried and caked on dirt or mud should come off fairly easily with a little bit of scrubbing.

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You can also add a small amount of soap or laundry detergent to the water to help in the cleaning process.
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Place the laces into a small mesh laundry bag and soak in the cleaning solution for several minutes. Use a spoon or spatula to agitate the laces in the water. You can use a dishwasher safe plate to weight the laces down and prevent them from floating
- NOTE: Wear gloves and avoid putting your bare hands in the water with bleach as it may cause irritation of the skin.
Place the laces, still inside the laundry bag, in the washing machine and launder with detergent and 1/2 cup of bleach in hot water.^{[2]
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To avoid damage to the aglets and shrinkage of the laces, do not put them in a dryer. This can damage elastic fibers or structures that make the shoe stay laced longer. It may take several hours for your laces to dry completely.
If the aglets were damaged in the cleaning process, you can use a piece of scotch tape to wrap the ends of the laces and make them easier to fit through the eyelets.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Colored Laces

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It is much easier and more effective to clean your shoe laces once they have been removed from the shoes.
Dried caked on dirt and mud should come off fairly easily with a little bit of scrubbing.
The water will be used to saturate the laces. Soap helps loosen particles of dirt from the fabric of the laces for easier cleaning.
Allow the material to become thoroughly soaked. The shoelaces will likely swell and any surface grime will detach. Stir them around a bit if you’d like to promote this action.
Be mindful of the aglet as these can crack or peel off if handled roughly.
If dirt remains, repeat steps 2 through 6 until laces are thoroughly clean.
To avoid damage to the aglets and shrinkage of the laces, do not put them in a dryer. This can damage elastic fibers or structures that make the shoe stay laced longer. It may take several hours for your laces to dry completely.^{[3]
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If the aglets were damaged in the cleaning process, you can use a piece of scotch tape to wrap the ends of the laces and make them easier to fit through the eyelets.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Leather Shoelaces

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Removing debris now can save effort and help spare the fabric. These laces are not as absorbent as synthetics, and do not need to be handled as if they have absorbed the dirt they have been exposed to.
Soak them briefly, apply the soap gently and thoroughly to the whole shaft of the lace. Do not soak the leather in the soap solution, as this can ruin the tan or discolor the leather. Wipe it off with a damp rag.
Allow them to air dry, and avoid exposing them to the sun, as they can bleach and lose color. They should be completely dry before advancing to the next step.
Apply a natural oil, such as olive or coconut oil^{[4]
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After the first hour, wipe off any excess oil. Wait until the laces are completely dry before attempting to relace, as this can stain the shoe or damage the lace. Mink oil resembles human sebum, and will feel greasy on most fabrics if not allowed to absorb properly.

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What method would work to get red paint out of white shoe laces?

Community Answer

It would be a lot less trouble to get new laces. If you can't, rub the laces with acetone and rinse with detergent.

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How do I remove dog poop from shoelaces?

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Scrub the laces down, then wash them the same as covered in this article.

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How do I clean white leather?

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You can use a shoe cleaner like Crep Cure, Reshoeven8r, or Jason Mark. Crep is available at Footlocker and works well.

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Consider simply replacing the shoelaces and cleaning the shoe proper according to manufacturer care instructions. Replacement laces are often cheap enough where the effort to recover dirty laces might be wasted.

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