3 handful ways: How to clean white shoelaces

Cleaning is not an easy task to do. On top of that, cleaning a white thing is even harder. So, when you get to clean a pair or a few pairs of white shoelaces, most of the time they don’t get as white as you want them to be. To make your task easy and stress-free, we’ve brought you some simple solutions.

In this article, we’re showing you the process of how to clean white shoelaces. The shoelaces are one thing that you never get to control. Whether by dragging on the ground or by sitting on the corner of your house, they may get discolored as time passes. And you can barely get them back to their original white color. So, let’s check out how I whitewash my shoelaces.

Before You Wash

Before washing the shoelaces, you should clean the loose dirt from them. Then you can proceed to wash the deep stains. 

How To Clean White Shoelaces

We all know that sometimes our shoelaces can be dirtier than our shoes, there can be several methods to wash them, with detergent, chemicals, or non-chemical elements. Here are the total steps of washing them white.

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Hand Wash Shoelaces With Heavy-duty Laundry Detergent and Bleach

If you don’t own a washing machine, or for other reasons, if you want to wash shoelaces without a washing machine, you’ll need a few ingredients. A teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent, a small bowl of hot water, a clean toothbrush that is no longer in use, and a few spays of stain remover.

Now before you soak the laces in hot soapy liquid, rinse them in tap water and use the stain remover if there is any hard stain visible. Then soak them in the soap solution.

**As your shoelaces are white and cotton-made, you can add a teaspoon of bleach to the water for a bright effect. Otherwise for synthetic fibers, use an oxygen-based bleach. However, you should wear rubber gloves when handling bleach and be careful about it as it has harsh chemical substances that may cause skin irritation.

Now leave them in the solution for 30 minutes to soak up the liquid properly. Put on the rubber gloves and brush off the remaining dirt with the toothbrush. And then, rinse the laces with tap water and air-dry them. That’s how I wash my shoelaces most of the time, and they turn out almost like a new pair.

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Clean Shoelaces Quickly in a Washing Machine

It requires the basic cleaning materials as the handwashing method. However, one extra item is required and that is a mesh laundry bag. But you can use any washable zippered bag to contain the laces in the bag and not get them tangled inside the machine.

So before you put them inside the washing brush off any dirt using an unused toothbrush. Then rinse it under the tap. And apply the stain remover where it needs to be used. Now let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of the stain.

Now, put the laces in the mesh bag or whatever bag you’re using. Close the zipper, and place it in the washing machine with other white garments. Wash it with warm water and the liquid detergent you generally use. Also, put a little amount of bleach if you like them to be brightened. When the washing is done, you’ll discover a bright, new pair of shoelaces inside.

One little note, do not put them in the dryer. Rather air dry them hanging on a hanger or hook. The reason behind this is the plastic ends of the laces may get distorted because of the high heat.

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Remove Stubborn Stains With Clorox

If the stains seem a little stubborn and are spreaded all over the laces, you need to give them extra care rather than just washing with detergent.

In this case, I follow Clorox’s bleaching guidelines! So, here’s what you can do-

Submerge the shoelaces into 3 tablespoons of Clorox Regular Bleach mixed in a gallon or 3.78 liters of water. Let them soak the solution for five minutes. Then wash in the machine or hand wash them with regular liquid laundry detergent and warm water. Make sure to wear rubber gloves when doing so to avoid getting irritated by the Clorox (bleach).

Warning!

Bleach can cause harm if you get distracted while working. It can burn your skin, eyes, and even lungs when you breathe. Not only it damages internal and external body tissues, but it can also cause headaches, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and many more serious issues.

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Clean Shoelaces Fast Without Bleach: Using Baking Soda

So, can you pick a safer option other than bleach? Yes! And we’re going to discuss it now.

If you have issues with bleach as a cleaning agent, try baking soda. To start the process, you’ll need 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a glass of water. Mix the two ingredients with a spoon and make a solution.

Soak the dirty white shoelaces into the solution. Leave it for 15 minutes. Then squeeze the liquid and wash them with regular liquid detergent. And later rinse with tap water and air dry them.

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Two Things to Note Down:

I’ve already told you before, now I’m saying it again because it’s important.

**Use rubber gloves when handling bleach.

**Consider the ends of the shoelaces if you intend to put them in a dryer. If they’re made of plastic, as they normally do, it’s better to air dry them

List of Handful Ingredients

Last update on 2023-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Conclusion

Most of the time the shoelaces retain the yellowish tone even after the wash. However, this time, I think you’ll get a different and better result.

Of course, be careful when you’re using harsh substances. It may splash when pouring. Also, be considerate about the condition of the shoelace. If it seems like they can not go through the chemical solution, do not do it. Rather, use a less or non-chemically substance.