How to Clean White Shoelaces: Step by Step to Wash Shoelaces

White shoelaces have a certain appeal, and they are very stylish too. Either on a white sneaker or a colored one, white shoelaces gives you a very trendy and cool look.

The problem with them is that they get dirty easily. So how do you clean white shoelaces? You can clean white shoelaces by using bleach or adding hydrogen peroxide to the bleach and water solution if the stains are particularly tough.

Best Way to Clean White Shoelaces

White shoelaces get dirty easily, and they can be stressful to clean. But when you do have to clean them, there are many ways to clean them. But the best way to clean your white shoelaces is to use a tablespoon of bleach mixed in with laundry detergent and warm water.

The steps are listed below:-

Step 1: Make a solution of warm water, a little laundry detergent, and a tablespoon of bleach. Swirl the solution round with an old toothbrush to ensure proper mixing.

Step 2: Brush your white shoelaces gently to get out sand and other dirt particles.

Step 3: Soak your white laces in the solution and give it about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Make another solution, this time only with a little detergent and warm water, and wash your laces in there.

Step 5: Rinse your laces with cool water and hang them to dry.

How to Clean White Shoelaces without Bleach

It is very possible to clean your white shoelaces without using bleach. Yes, bleach is probably the go-to option of most people when it comes to cleaning white shoelaces, but bleach isn’t very good.

It damages and weakens the fiber of your shoelaces, and you can’t bleach a leather shoelace anyway. So how do you bleach your shoelaces without bleach?

The following methods are available:-

Using Detergent and Hot water
Using Baking Powder and Hot Water
Rubbing Baking Soda on the laces
Using Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Using Saddle Soap

1. Using Detergent and Hot water

This is one of the most straightforward ways to clean your white shoelaces. Follow the following steps:-

Remove the shoelaces from the shoe and use an old toothbrush to lightly brush over the shoelaces. This should help you remove dirt particles well.
Use regular detergent and mix in hot water.
Drop your shoelaces in the hot soapy water for about 5 minutes. Ensure all parts of the shoelaces are submerged.
Empty the bowl and wash your shoelaces thoroughly.
Drain them with cool water and spread them in an area with direct sunlight. Do not use a dryer, or the fibers might shrink.

2. Using Baking Powder and Hot Water

To clean your white shoelaces with baking soda and hot water, use the following steps:-

As always, remove the shoelaces from the shoes.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to get as much dirt particles out from the shoelaces.
Soak the shoelaces in hot water, leaving them inside for a couple of minutes.
Remove the shoelaces from the hot water and use your hands to rub the laces.
Touch the bristles of the toothbrush to the baking soda and use it to scrub the shoelaces till they get clean. You can add more soda if you feel the need.
Once the shoelaces are clean, rinse them with cool water very well.
Dry the shoelaces naturally, and do this away from direct sunlight. Also do not use a dryer, very bad idea.

3. Rubbing Baking Soda on the Laces

Sometimes, you can also choose to rub baking soda on your white shoelaces. Leave the baking soda on the shoelaces for some minutes, then use a toothbrush to rub the baking soda in.

Rinse the shoelaces in cool water once you’re done, and spread the laces in an area with direct sunlight. This will give them an extra boost to their shine.

4. Using Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

This method for particularly tough stains. Use the following steps:-

Make a powerful cleaning paste with 5 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Add more of either ingredient to form a perfect paste.
Dip your shoelaces in the paste and leave for about 3-5 minutes.
When you remove your laces, use an old toothbrush to thoroughly brush them till they are clean.
Rinse in cool water and dry.

5. Using Saddle Soap

This method of cleaning white shoelaces is mainly for leather white shoelaces, as none of the preceding methods are suitable for leather shoelaces. Notwithstanding, this method can also be used for non-leather white shoelaces.

Since leather isn’t really friends with water, submerging your leather shoelaces in water is ruled out. To properly and safely wash your white leather shoelaces, do the following:-

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the laces thoroughly but gently. This should help get the dirt particles out.
Rub the shoelaces with saddle soap and use a soft piece of cloth to rub them down. Ensure the cloth is damp, to get the soap out.
Spread the shoelaces out of direct sunlight.

Step by Step Guide to Wash White Shoelaces

Below is the step-by-step guide that we advise you to follow when you want to wash your shoelaces.

Step 1: Remove the laces from your shoes. Washing your shoes and the laces might be an easier and less time-consuming path to take, but it will also mean that your laces won’t be clean. This is because you’ll only be able to clean one side of your laces.

Step 2: Use a small brush, preferably a soft-bristled one, to gently brush your shoelaces from front to back. This will help to remove any dirt that has clung to your laces, especially the small stone-like particles.

Step 3: Put your shoelaces inside a bag with a permeable material. A good choice for this would be a pillowcase.

Step 4: Make a soapy solution with regular laundry detergent and warm water, and submerge the bag inside. You can use your sink or a bucket for this. You can add in some bleach if your laces are white and are especially dirty.

Step 5: Keep the bag submerged for about 20 minutes. If the bag bobbles up, use a ceramic plate or anything that will sink to keep the bag down and under.

It is important that the bag be fully submerged for the duration.

Step 6: Remove the bag from the water and take out your shoelaces. Brush them gently, making sure to work any remaining dirt and grime out of the laces.

Step 7: Wash your laces thoroughly in water and rinse off the soapy solution, alongside any dirt that might still be on the laces.

Step 8: Hang your laces to dry naturally. You can use either a cloth line or a drying rack for this. You can also tie the laces on the line or the rack.

This will reduce the chances of them falling to almost zero, and give them the chance to dangle. Once they are dry, you’re ready to rock your shoelaces.

In Conclusion

Washing white shoelaces can be a bit of a chore, especially if they are quite dirty. But doing it on time is the key; if you leave the stains to get stuck to your shoelaces, you won’t like their look.

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