How to Clean White Shoelaces: The Complete Guide

How to Clean White Shoelaces: The Complete Guide

White shoelaces are one of those things that look absolutely brilliant when they're fresh and bright and then somehow, almost overnight, they start looking grey, grubby and tired. If you've ever looked down at your once-pristine golf shoes, trainers or walking shoes and wondered how your laces got quite so grim quite so quickly, you're not alone. The good news is that cleaning white laces is much easier than most people think, and you probably already have everything you need at home.

First things first - take them out

Always remove your laces before cleaning them. Trying to clean laces while they're still threaded through your shoes is inefficient, and it risks getting your shoes wet and damaging the material. Pop them out, give the shoes themselves a wipe while you're at it, and then pick whichever method suits you best.

Method 1 - The washing machine (lazy but brilliant)

This is the easiest method and honestly works really well for most laces. Put your laces in a small mesh laundry bag - the kind you'd use for delicates and pop them in the washing machine on a cool white cycle with your normal detergent. The mesh bag stops them tangling around everything else in the drum. Take them out, reshape them gently and leave them to air dry flat. Job done.

This method is perfectly safe for polyester laces and works well for cotton too, though a cool rather than hot wash is kinder on cotton fibres.

Method 2 - The bowl soak (the reliable classic)

Fill a bowl with warm water and add a good squirt of washing up liquid or laundry detergent. Drop your laces in and leave them to soak for around 30 minutes - this loosens the dirt and lifts most of the grey staining without any scrubbing at all. After the soak, take an old toothbrush and work along the length of the lace with gentle circular motions, paying particular attention to any stubborn spots. Rinse thoroughly under clean water until the water runs clear, then lay flat to dry.

This is a great method if your laces aren't machine washable or if you just want a bit more control over the process.

Method 3 - The baking soda paste (for seriously grubby laces)

If your laces have seen better days and the standard methods aren't quite cutting it, baking soda is your secret weapon. Mix a small amount of baking soda with just enough water to make a thick paste, then work it into the laces with an old toothbrush. Leave it to sit for about 15 minutes - you might even see it fizzing slightly as it works on the staining. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. This method is particularly good for that deep-set grey colour that builds up over time and seems impossible to shift.

Method 4 - The stain remover boost

For really stubborn marks - grass stains from the golf course, mud from a wet walk, mystery marks that you genuinely can't explain - a spray of Vanish or a similar stain remover applied before soaking makes a significant difference. Spray directly onto the laces, leave for the time stated on the product, then follow with either the bowl soak or washing machine method. The combination is very effective.

The golden rules for drying

However you clean your laces, the drying stage matters just as much. Never put laces in the tumble dryer - they shrink, go stiff and lose their shape. Always air dry flat rather than hanging them vertically, which can stretch them unevenly. If you're in a hurry, pat them gently with a dry towel first to remove excess water, then lay them on a dry surface near a radiator. They'll usually be completely dry within a few hours.

When cleaning isn't enough

Sometimes laces are simply past the point of no return. If yours are fraying at the ends, have lost their shape entirely or have a grey tinge that just won't shift no matter what you try - that's a sign it's time for a fresh pair rather than another cleaning session. The good news is that new laces are one of the most affordable shoe upgrades there is, and while you're replacing them it's the perfect opportunity to try something a little different. A pop of colour, a new style, something that makes you smile every time you look down.

👉 Shop Fresh White Shoelaces 👉 Shop All Colourful Shoelaces

Because sometimes the freshest feeling isn't a new pair of shoes - it's just beautifully clean, bright laces.