To clean white shoelaces, take them out of the shoes, pre-treat the stains, then either wash them in a mesh bag on a cold cycle or soak and scrub them by hand. Let them air dry; never put them in the dryer, because heat can melt the plastic tips.
In this guide
Dirty laces make clean sneakers look tired, and they pick up grime faster than any other part of the shoe. The good news is that both methods below use things you already have at home and take about ten minutes of actual work.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Hands-on time |
|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | Cotton or polyester laces with everyday dirt, when you already have a white load to wash | About 5 minutes |
| Hand wash and soak | Heavy stains, delicate or waxed laces, or when you only need to clean one pair | About 10 minutes, plus soaking |
Method 1: Clean white shoelaces in the washing machine
What you need
- Laundry detergent
- Stain remover, or a paste of baking soda and water
- An old soft toothbrush
- A small mesh laundry bag
- Oxygen bleach (optional, for extra brightness)
- A drying rack or washing line
Steps
- Remove the laces. Laces left in the shoe stay dirty where they pass through the eyelets.
- Rinse and pre-treat. Hold the laces under cold running water to flush out loose dirt. Work stain remover into the marks with the toothbrush. For ground-in dirt, leave the stain remover on for about 20 minutes.
- Bag them. Put the laces in a mesh laundry bag so they cannot tangle around other clothes or the drum.
- Wash cold with whites. Add your normal detergent and run a cold or cool cycle with a white load. Add oxygen bleach if you want them brighter.
- Air dry. Hang the laces over a rack or line. Keep them away from the dryer, radiators and direct heat.
Related: How to Get Tar Off Shoes Without Ruining Them
Method 2: Clean white shoelaces by hand
What you need
- A bowl or sink of warm water
- Liquid laundry detergent or dish soap
- A soft brush or old toothbrush
- Stain remover or baking soda
- Rubber gloves if you are using bleach
Steps
- Remove and rinse the laces under running water.
- Mix the cleaning solution. Add a small squirt of detergent to a bowl of warm water. For very grey laces, add a tablespoon of oxygen bleach, or follow the label on your product.
- Soak. Leave the laces in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes. Weigh them down with a mug if they float.
- Scrub. Lay each lace flat on your palm and brush along its length, paying attention to the stained sections.
- Rinse well under clean water until no suds are left, then squeeze out the water in a towel.
- Air dry flat or hanging.
Is it safe to use bleach on white shoelaces?
Chlorine bleach works on white cotton laces, but use it carefully:
- Dilute it. A common ratio is about one tablespoon of bleach per litre (quart) of water. Check the label on your bottle.
- Soak for no more than five to ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Longer soaks weaken the fibres and can turn synthetic laces yellow.
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners. The combination releases toxic gas.
- Wear gloves and work in a ventilated room.
Oxygen bleach is slower but gentler, and it is the safer choice for polyester laces and laces with coloured tips.
How to keep white laces clean for longer
- Wash the laces every time you clean the shoes. Our guide to cleaning canvas shoes covers the rest of the sneaker.
- Tuck long lace ends in so they do not drag on the ground.
- Keep a spare pair. Laces are inexpensive, and swapping in a fresh set is the fastest fix when the old ones are frayed or permanently grey.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put shoelaces in the dryer?
No. The plastic tips (aglets) can melt or crack, and heat can shrink cotton laces. Air drying usually takes a few hours.
Why did my white laces turn yellow?
Usually from too much chlorine bleach, detergent left in the fibres, or drying in strong sunlight. Rinse thoroughly and switch to oxygen bleach.
Does baking soda clean shoelaces?
Yes. A paste of baking soda and water, scrubbed in with a toothbrush, lifts light stains. For heavier grime, combine it with a detergent soak.
How often should I wash shoelaces?
About once a month for shoes you wear every day, or whenever they look grey next to the shoe.
