How to Wash Shoe Laces: Easy Steps to Clean, Whiten, and Dry Them Safely

Clean shoes can still look messy when the laces are dirty. This happens fast with kids’ shoes, sneakers, school shoes, and everyday pairs that go through sidewalks, playgrounds, mud, and spills.

Learning how to wash shoe laces is easier than you might think, and most pairs can be cleaned at home with simple supplies. In this article, we will cover hand washing, machine washing, whitening, drying, and when it may be time to replace worn laces.

Why Clean Shoelaces Matter More Than Most People Think

Shoelaces sit close to floors, sidewalks, dirt, mud, sweat, and little spills from daily life. So even when the shoes still look nice, the laces can make the whole pair look older. This is especially true for white sneakers, school shoes, and kids’ dress shoes that your little ones wear often.

Washing shoe laces is also easier than deep-cleaning the full shoe. It takes less time, uses fewer supplies, and can make a pair look fresher right away. It can also help reduce dirt and odor buildup.

A footwear study by Dr. Charles Gerba, a professor and microbiologist at the University of Arizona, and The Rockport Company, found an average of 421,000 units of bacteria on the outside of shoes and 2,887 on the inside. That does not mean you need to worry every day, but it does show why laces should not be ignored during regular shoe cleaning.

What You Need Before You Wash Shoe Laces

You need mild soap, water, a soft brush, and a safe drying spot before you wash shoe laces. The right supplies also depend on the lace color and material. White cotton laces can handle stronger cleaning than colored, leather, suede, or decorative laces.

If you are wondering how do you clean shoe laces without buying special products, start with what you already have at home. These are the supplies that help most:

• Mild laundry detergent or dish soap

• Bowl or sink

• Soft brush or old toothbrush

• Mesh laundry bag or pillowcase

• Clean towel

• Baking soda for white laces

• White vinegar for light odor or stains

• Oxygen bleach for white cotton or synthetic laces

• Gloves if using bleach

Pro tip: Clean laces can help shoes look better, but odor needs its own care. See our guide on keeping kids’ shoes fresh for simple next steps.

The Best Way to Wash Shoe Laces Depends on the Lace Type

The best way to wash shoe laces depends on what the laces are made from. Some laces can be soaked and scrubbed. Others need a lighter touch because water, heat, or rough brushing can damage the material.

Before you start, check whether the laces are cotton, synthetic, leather, suede, ribbon, or decorative. These are the safest methods to choose from:

Tip: When in doubt, use the gentlest method first. It is easier to wash again than to fix faded color or damaged fibers.

How to Wash Shoe Laces by Hand

To wash shoe laces by hand, remove them from the shoes, soak them in soapy water, scrub gently, rinse well, and let them air dry. Hand washing is the safest method for most laces because it gives you more control. It also works well for kids’ shoes, dress shoes, sneakers, and laces with small stains.

Here is how to do it step by step:

1. Remove the laces from the shoes: This helps you clean the full lace instead of only the visible parts.

2. Shake or brush off loose dirt: Use your fingers or a soft brush to remove dry mud and dust.

3. Fill a bowl with cool or warm water: Cool water is safer for colored laces. Warm water can help with regular dirt on white or light laces.

4. Add a small amount of mild detergent or dish soap: A little is enough. Too much soap can be harder to rinse out.

5. Soak the laces: Let them sit in the soapy water for about 15 to 20 minutes to help loosen dirt and stains before scrubbing.

6. Rub the laces together or scrub with a soft toothbrush: Focus on stained spots, but avoid harsh scrubbing on delicate laces.

7. Rinse until the water runs clear: Soap left in the fibers can make laces feel stiff.

8. Press the laces in a towel: This removes extra water without stretching them.

9. Air dry fully before putting them back in the shoes: Dry laces feel better and help prevent odor.

This method is usually the best first choice when you want to wash shoe laces without taking a risk.

How to Wash Shoelaces in the Washing Machine

You can wash shoelaces in the washing machine if they are cotton or synthetic. The key is to protect them first, so they do not tangle, stretch, or get caught during the cycle.

Here is how to do it:

1. Remove the laces. Take them out fully so the washer can clean the full length of each lace. This also keeps dirty spots from hiding inside the eyelets.

2. Brush off loose dirt. Use your fingers, a dry cloth, or a soft brush to remove mud, dust, or crumbs before washing. This helps keep the wash water cleaner.

3. Place the laces in a mesh laundry bag or a tied pillowcase. This is the most important step for machine washing. It keeps the laces together and helps stop them from wrapping around other laundry.

4. Use a mild detergent. A small amount is enough for shoelaces. Too much detergent can stay in the fibers and make the laces feel stiff after drying.

5. Choose a cold or cool cycle. Cooler water is safer for most laces, especially colored ones. It can also help reduce the risk of fading or shrinkage. This also helps protect the fabric. Research from the University of Leeds found that quicker, cooler wash cycles reduced microfiber release by up to 52% and dye release by up to 74%. That makes a cold or cool cycle a safer choice for colored and synthetic shoelaces.

6. Wash with similar colors or towels. White laces should stay with light items. Colored laces should go with similar shades in case any dye releases during the wash.

7. Remove them right away. Take the laces out of the bag once the cycle ends. This helps prevent extra wrinkling and keeps them from sitting damp for too long.

8. Air dry only. Lay the laces flat or hang them in a clean spot. Avoid the dryer because heat can weaken the fibers or damage the plastic tips.

This is a helpful method for busy parents who need a quick refresh after school days, playdates, or weekend outings.

How to Whiten Shoelaces Safely

To whiten shoelaces safely, use gentle methods first and save stronger cleaners for white washable laces only. Avoid whitening methods on colored, leather, suede, ribbon, or delicate laces because they can fade, dry out, or weaken the material.

Start with the mildest option and move up only if the laces still look dull. These are the main options.

Baking Soda Paste

Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 4 ounces of water to make a paste. Rub it into dull or stained areas, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse well. This is a good first option for white laces that look gray from regular wear.

Oxygen Bleach Soak

Use oxygen bleach for white cotton or synthetic laces that need more brightening. Follow the product directions, soak the laces, then rinse them well before air drying. This can help when regular soap does not lift the dull color enough.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on white washable laces with light yellowing or dull spots. Test a small area first, then rinse fully so no cleaner stays in the fibers. This method should be used carefully and only on suitable white laces.

Chlorine Bleach

Use chlorine bleach only on plain white washable laces, and keep the soak short. Wear gloves, work in a ventilated area, and rinse the laces very well afterward. This should be a last option because bleach can weaken fibers if used too often.

Toothbrush Scrubbing

Use a soft toothbrush after soaking to lift stains from the fibers. Scrub gently along the lace instead of pulling hard across it. This helps remove dirt without fraying the material.

If the laces still look gray after cleaning, they may be too worn to brighten fully.

Pro tip: If sticky gum is the problem, laces may not be the only part that needs care. See our guide on removing gum from shoes without causing damage.

Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Shoe Laces

Small mistakes can damage laces or make them look worse. This matters more with kids’ dress shoes, delicate laces, and colored pairs that need to stay neat. These are the most common mistakes to avoid:

• Do not use bleach on colored laces. It can fade or spot the color.

• Do not soak leather or suede laces. Water can change the texture.

• Do not put loose laces directly in the washer. They can tangle or get caught.

• Do not use hot water on stains unless the material allows it. Heat can set some stains.

• Do not dry laces with high heat. It can weaken fibers and damage lace tips.

• Do not put damp laces back into shoes. Dampness can lead to odor.

• Do not mix cleaning products, especially bleach with vinegar or ammonia. This can create unsafe fumes.

• Do not scrub delicate laces too hard. Rough brushing can fray the fibers.

Keeping Kids’ Shoes Looking Fresh With Perroquet Shoes

Clean laces can refresh a pair of shoes, but shoe quality still matters. Parents want children’s shoes that look polished, feel comfortable, and hold up through school days, family events, holidays, and regular wear. At Perroquet Shoes, we believe the right pair should feel as good as it looks.

Perroquet Shoes creates designer-inspired kids’ shoes with attention to fit, finish, and durability. Caring for the laces helps extend the neat look of shoes made for real life. When the shoes still fit and feel good, washing the laces can help them look fresh again.

When the shoes are outgrown, worn down, or no longer comfortable, we offer stylish kids’ shoes made for everyday wear and special occasions.

FAQs

Can I Wash My Shoelaces in the Washing Machine?

Yes, you can wash many cotton and synthetic shoelaces in the washing machine. Place them in a mesh laundry bag or a tied pillowcase first. Avoid machine washing leather, suede, ribbon, or delicate laces because they need gentler care.

How Do You Clean Shoelaces Without Removing Them?

You can clean shoelaces without removing them by spot-cleaning with a damp cloth, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush. This works well for a quick refresh. For a deeper clean, remove the laces and wash the full length.

Does Toothpaste Clean Laces?

Yes, toothpaste can clean small stains on white laces, but it should not be your first choice. Mild soap or baking soda is usually safer. Avoid colored gel toothpaste because it may leave color behind on the lace fibers.

Can Vinegar Clean Shoelaces?

Yes, white vinegar can clean light stains and help with odor when it is diluted with water. Use it on washable laces only. Never mix vinegar with bleach because the combination can create unsafe fumes.

How Often Should You Clean Your Shoelaces?

You should clean your shoelaces every two to three months for regular wear, or sooner if they look dirty, stained, or smell bad. Kids’ laces may need quick spot cleaning more frequently because they pick up dirt from school, playgrounds, and daily wear.

How Do You Dry Shoe Laces After Washing?

You should dry shoe laces by pressing them with a towel, then letting them air dry fully. Avoid the dryer because heat can shrink laces, weaken fibers, or damage the plastic lace tips. Put them back only when they are fully dry.