Two Ways to Clean Shoelaces

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Like your shoes, your shoelaces can take a beating. If yours are dirty but not badly worn, there’s no need to toss them. That’s because it’s easy and economical to clean them! Here are two ways to clean shoelaces.

Check out these 10 clever shoe storage and cleaning tips.

If you have a pair of white shoes that need cleaning, this article and video shows you how to do it.

How to Clean Shoelaces in a Washing Machine

1. Remove the shoelaces from the shoes. 

2. Remove any stuck-on grime. Run shoelaces under a stream of water or use a toothbrush or shoe brush to remove any debris.

3. Spot treat any bad stains. Use laundry detergent or a spot treatment like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder to attack any noticeable stains.

4. Place shoelaces in a mesh lingerie bag. This will prevent them from getting tangled during the wash cycle. No mesh lingerie or laundry bag? Then try a knotted pillowcase instead.

5. Run a regular wash cycle.

6. Let the laces air dry. Avoid the dryer, which can cause the shoelaces to shrink and/or the aglets (those plastic tips) to melt.

These entryway shoe storage hacks really work.

How to Clean Shoelaces by Hand

Follow steps 1 through 4, above.

5. Create a cleaning solution. Add warm water and a little detergent to a bucket. (Have solid-white laces? Then substitute a bit of bleach in the place of the detergent.)

6. Fully submerge the bag containing the laces into the solution. Let the shoelaces soak for 20 minutes.

7. Remove the bag from the solution. Then remove the shoelaces from the bag.

8. Rinse off the shoelaces. Run them under a stream of water or swish them around in a bucket of clean water.

9. Hang the shoelaces to dry. If your shoelaces still aren’t totally clean, try repeating each step in the process one more time.