How to Clean Your Shoelaces

Co-authored by Rio Jongsae Kim

Shoelaces have historically been made of materials like leather, hemp, or cotton—typical rope making materials.^{[1]
X
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

1
Remove the laces from the shoes. It is much easier and more effective to clean your shoe laces once they have been removed from the shoes.
2
Brush any loose dirt or grime from the laces with your hands or a scrub brush. Dried and caked on dirt or mud should come off fairly easily with a little bit of scrubbing.

Advertisement
3
Make a solution of 3 tablespoons (44.4 ml) of bleach to 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a sink or basin. You can also add a small amount of soap or laundry detergent to the water to help in the cleaning process.
4
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.
5
Wash the laces in the washing machine. 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]
X
Research source}
6
Hang the laces over a sink or towel and allow them to air dry. 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.
7
Relace your shoes. 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

1
Remove the laces from the shoes. It is much easier and more effective to clean your shoe laces once they have been removed from the shoes.
2
Brush any loose dirt or grime from the laces with your hands or a scrub brush. Dried caked on dirt and mud should come off fairly easily with a little bit of scrubbing.
3
Fill a sink or basin with warm water and add a small amount of soap or laundry detergent. The water will be used to saturate the laces. Soap helps loosen particles of dirt from the fabric of the laces for easier cleaning.
4
Let the shoelaces soak in soapy water for a few minutes. 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.
5
Use a small scrub brush (or an old toothbrush) to scrub the laces. Be mindful of the aglet as these can crack or peel off if handled roughly.
6
Refill your sink or basin with fresh water to rinse the laces. If dirt remains, repeat steps 2 through 6 until laces are thoroughly clean.
7
Hang the laces over a sink or towel and allow them to air dry. 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]
X
Research source}
8
Relace your shoes. 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

1
Remove any debris or detritus from the lace with a toothbrush or similar small brush. 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.
2
Use saddle soap and warm water to clean your leather laces. 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.
3
Set your laces to dry on a drop cloth or old newspaper. 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.
4
Apply a natural oil, such as olive or coconut oil^{[4]
X
Research source}, to restore the leather’s sheen. Apply with a clean rag. Make sure you are working above a drop cloth and with gloves, as leather-treating oil can stain surfaces. Allow the oil to soak in. This treatment will soften and improve the appearance of leather laces. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
5
Allow them to air dry for several hours. 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.

Community Q&A

Question

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.
Question

How do I remove dog poop from shoelaces?

Community Answer

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

How do I clean white leather?

Community Answer

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