To clean shoelaces, take them out of your shoes, soak them for 15 to 20 minutes in warm water with a small amount of Angelus Easy Cleaner or mild detergent, scrub them with a soft brush, rinse well, and lay them flat to air dry. For white shoelaces, a baking soda paste or a diluted hydrogen peroxide soak lifts tougher stains and brings back the brightness. Most fabric laces can also go in the washing machine inside a mesh bag or pillowcase on a gentle, cold cycle.
In a hurry? See how to clean shoelaces without removing them. Too far gone? Fresh replacement shoelaces come in every length from 30" to 72".
Which cleaning method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hand washing with Angelus Easy Cleaner or mild detergent | Most fabric and synthetic laces | 15 to 20 minute soak |
| Machine washing in a mesh bag | Durable fabric laces, heavy dirt | One gentle, cold cycle |
| Baking soda and vinegar | Odors and set-in dirt | 15 to 20 minute soak |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Whitening white laces | 30 minute soak |
| Diluted bleach | Stubborn stains on white cotton laces only | 5 to 10 minute soak |
| Damp cloth and leather cleaner | Leather laces | A few minutes, no soaking |
What you need
- Angelus Easy Cleaner Kit, which includes Easy Cleaner, a premium cleaning brush, and a microfiber towel, or mild detergent and a soft brush
- Warm water
- A bowl or sink, plus a towel or drying rack
- Baking soda and white vinegar for odors and tough dirt
- Hydrogen peroxide or bleach, for white laces only, and rubber gloves
- A pillowcase or mesh wash bag if you use the washing machine
Before you start
- Remove the laces so you can clean the full length and avoid getting cleaner on the shoe.
- Pre-treat heavy stains with a dab of detergent or baking soda paste and let it sit a few minutes.
- Sort white laces from colored laces so dyes don't bleed, and set leather laces aside for gentler cleaning.
How to hand wash shoelaces
- Fill a bowl with warm water and a small amount of Angelus Easy Cleaner or mild detergent.
- Soak the laces for 15 to 20 minutes to loosen dirt.
- Scrub gently with a soft brush like the one in the Easy Cleaner Kit, working along the full length of each lace.
- Rinse under running water until no soap is left, since leftover detergent attracts new dirt and can yellow white laces.
- Squeeze out the water without wringing, then lay the laces flat or hang them to dry out of direct sunlight.
Can you put shoelaces in the washer?
Yes, most fabric and synthetic shoelaces can go in the washing machine. Put them in a pillowcase or mesh wash bag so they don't tangle, use mild detergent, and run a gentle cycle with cold water. Skip the dryer and lay them flat to air dry. Hand wash leather laces and anything delicate instead.
How to clean white shoelaces
White shoelaces show dirt fastest, so they usually need more than soap and water. Start with a hand wash, then use one of these to whiten them:
- Baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water, scrub it into stained spots, let it sit a few minutes, then rinse.
- Baking soda and vinegar. Add one tablespoon of each to a bowl of warm water, soak for 15 to 20 minutes, scrub, and rinse.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with four parts water and soak for 30 minutes, then rinse well.
How to bleach shoelaces safely
Use bleach on white cotton laces only. Mix one part bleach with five parts water, soak the laces for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and air dry. Wear rubber gloves, work somewhere well ventilated, and never bleach colored, reflective, or leather laces, because it can strip color and weaken the fibers.
Test hydrogen peroxide or bleach on a small section first. Both can weaken some materials, and reflective or printed laces can lose their finish.
How to get rid of shoelace odors
Soak smelly laces for 30 minutes in warm water with a splash of white vinegar, then rinse and air dry. A baking soda soak works too.
Best Angelus cleaners for shoes and shoelaces
Lace Lab is part of Angelus Direct, and these are the cleaners we use on our own sneakers and laces:
| Angelus product | Best for | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Angelus Easy Cleaner Kit | Everyday cleaning on leather, suede, nubuck, canvas, rubber, and laces | Mix a little Easy Cleaner with water, scrub with the included brush, and wipe with the microfiber towel |
| Angelus Foam-Tex Cleaning Kit | Quick, on-the-go cleaning | Pump the foam onto the brush or shoe, scrub, and wipe clean |
| Angelus All Purpose Foam Cleaner | Heavy dirt, oil, and grease on athletic and hiking shoes | Spray, let it sit a few seconds, and wipe off, since it can lift color from suede |
| Angelus Water & Stain Repellent | Protecting clean shoes and laces | Spray clean, dry shoes from 6 to 8 inches away and let dry |
How to keep shoelaces clean longer
- Clean them every few weeks, or at least once a month for shoes you wear often.
- Wipe them with a damp cloth after muddy or wet days before dirt sets in.
- Spray clean, dry shoes and laces with Angelus Water & Stain Repellent to help repel water and stains.
- Store spare laces rolled up in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
- Re-tip frayed ends with new aglets instead of throwing the laces out.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using harsh household chemicals on every lace, which weakens fibers and fades color.
- Cleaning every material the same way, especially soaking leather laces.
- Not rinsing well enough, which leaves residue that attracts dirt.
- Drying laces in a dryer or in direct heat, which can shrink or fade them.
FAQs
How do you clean shoelaces?
Soak the laces for 15 to 20 minutes in warm water with a small amount of Angelus Easy Cleaner or mild detergent, scrub them with a soft brush, rinse well, and lay them flat to air dry.
How do you clean white shoelaces?
Hand wash white shoelaces, then whiten them with a baking soda paste, a baking soda and vinegar soak, or a 30-minute soak in one part hydrogen peroxide to four parts water.
Can you put shoelaces in the washer?
Yes, most fabric and synthetic shoelaces can be machine washed in a mesh bag or pillowcase on a gentle, cold cycle, then air dried.
How do you bleach shoelaces without damaging them?
Soak white cotton laces for 5 to 10 minutes in one part bleach to five parts water, then rinse thoroughly and air dry, and never bleach colored, reflective, or leather laces.
How often should you clean your shoelaces?
Clean shoelaces every few weeks, or at least once a month for shoes you wear often.
What's the best way to dry shoelaces?
Lay shoelaces flat on a towel or hang them on a rack away from direct sunlight and heat, and skip the dryer.
What's the best cleaner for shoes and shoelaces?
Angelus Easy Cleaner is an all-purpose cleaner for leather, suede, nubuck, canvas, rubber, and shoelaces, and the Angelus Easy Cleaner Kit adds a premium cleaning brush and microfiber towel.
Some laces are past saving
When a wash won't bring them back, Lace Lab white laces come in flat, rope, oval, and Jordan 1 and Dunk replacement styles.
Free US shipping on orders $15+ · Ships in 1 to 2 business days · 30-day returns on unused laces
