How to Clean Reflective Shoelaces

To clean reflective shoelaces, take them out, soak them for 15 to 20 minutes in cool water with a small amount of Angelus Easy Cleaner or mild detergent, rub them gently with a soft cloth or brush, rinse, and lay them flat to air dry. Skip bleach, fabric softener, hard scrubbing, and the dryer, because they wear down the reflective threads. Most reflective laces can also be machine washed in a mesh bag on a gentle, cold cycle.

Shop reflective flat laces and 3M reflective rope laces, or see the full guide to cleaning and maintaining shoelaces.

Reflective lace cleaning methods at a glance

Why reflective laces need gentle cleaning

Reflective laces get their shine from reflective threads or coatings woven into nylon or polyester. Dirt dulls that shine, but hard scrubbing, bleach, and heat can wear the reflective layer off for good, so the goal is to lift dirt without abrading the surface.

What you need

• Angelus Easy Cleaner or a mild detergent
• A soft cloth or soft-bristled brush
• A bowl of cool water
• Baking soda for tough stains
• A mesh laundry bag, if machine washing

How to hand wash reflective shoelaces

1. Remove the laces from the bottom eyelets up so they don't snag.
2. Mix a small amount of Angelus Easy Cleaner or mild detergent into a bowl of cool water.
3. Soak the laces for 15 to 20 minutes to loosen dirt.
4. Rub gently with a soft cloth or brush, working along the lace rather than in hard circles.
5. Rinse under cool running water until no soap is left.
6. Pat dry with a towel and lay flat to air dry, out of direct sunlight.

Can you machine wash reflective laces?

Yes. Put them in a mesh bag, use a gentle cycle with cold water and a little mild detergent, and skip bleach and fabric softener, which coat and dull the reflective threads. Air dry them flat. Never use the dryer.

How to remove tough stains

1. Mix baking soda with a little water into a paste.
2. Dab it onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Rub gently with a soft brush, then rinse well.

Drying, storage, and keeping them reflective

• Air dry flat, never in a dryer or with a hair dryer.
• Store coiled in a cool, dry place out of direct sun.
• Wipe them with a damp cloth after wet or muddy runs.
• Spray clean, dry shoes and laces with Angelus Water & Stain Repellent to help repel dirt.
• Test the shine with a phone flashlight, and replace laces once they stop reflecting well.

For more on reflective laces, see how to use 3M reflective rope laces and how to use reflective laces for safety.

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