It happens to every pair of sneakers eventually: the sole still looks fine, but the shoelaces are dingy, gray, or marked with dark scuff dust. You don’t need a new pair. How to clean shoelaces is easy, and it takes less time than the rest of your shoe-cleaning routine.
What You’ll Need
- Mild liquid dish soap or a little plain laundry detergent
- Small bowl or clean sink
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- White vinegar or baking soda for stubborn spots
- Clean towel
- Mesh lingerie bag or old pillowcase (for the machine method)
How to Clean Shoelaces
- Remove the laces from your shoes. This lets every section get clean and stops wet laces from leaving water marks on leather or canvas.
- Shake off loose dirt. If the aglets (the little plastic or metal tips) are muddy, rinse them under cool water first.
- Fill a bowl with warm water and add about a teaspoon of soap. Swish to combine. Drop in the laces and let them soak for 10–15 minutes. Hot water can make colors bleed, so stick with warm.
- Scrub each lace gently with the toothbrush, starting at the tips and working toward the middle. Pay extra attention to the parts that rub against the floor or the shoe’s eyelets.
- For gray or ground-in spots, make a thin paste of baking soda and water, or add one tablespoon of white vinegar to the soak water. Rub the paste into the stain, let it sit for five minutes, then continue.
- Rinse the laces well under cool running water until no soap remains. Squeeze—don’t twist—them to remove the extra water.
- Lay the shoelaces flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up to blot them, and then reshape the laces.
- Let them air-dry completely before putting them back on your shoes. Direct sunlight can help brighten white laces, but avoid radiators and dryers.
If you’re short on time, you can machine-wash laces inside a mesh lingerie bag or pillowcase on the gentle cycle with cold laundry. Air-dry them afterward; the dryer can warp aglets and cause fraying.
✨ Note: For leather or suede shoelaces, skip the soak-and-scrub method. Water can stiffen and discolor them. Wipe those with a barely damp cloth and use a leather-safe conditioner instead.
That’s all there is to it. Next time your sneakers look tired, give the laces a little attention first—it’s a small chore that makes the whole pair look noticeably fresher.
Related Terms:
- How to Clean Shoelaces fast
- clean shoelaces with saddle soap
- clean leather shoelaces
- clean shoelaces with vinegar
- clean shoelaces with baking soda
- how to clean shoes