How to Clean Discolored Shoelaces Without Replacing Them
Don’t toss those dirty shoelaces just yet. You can restore their color using simple at-home methods — no need to buy new ones! This guide shows you how to clean discolored shoelaces using household items, step-by-step.
🧰 What You’ll Need:
- A small bowl or cup
- White vinegar or baking soda
- An old toothbrush or soft brush
- Mild dish soap or laundry detergent
- A towel or tissue to dry
- (Optional) Lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide
🧽 Step-by-Step Cleaning Method
Step 1: Remove the Laces
Take the shoelaces off your shoes. Shake off any loose dust or mud. This helps prevent rubbing more dirt into them during cleaning.
Step 2: Pre-Soak in Warm Water
Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and a drop of mild soap. Soak your laces for 10–15 minutes to loosen up grime and sweat stains.
Step 3: Scrub the Stains Gently
Take them out and scrub with an old toothbrush. For tough spots:
- Sprinkle baking soda on the lace
- Dip your brush in white vinegar and scrub — it will fizz and lift dirt
- Repeat until the lace looks bright again
Step 4: Optional Brightening Boost
For extra whitening, you can:
- Soak in a lemon juice + water mix for 10 minutes
- OR dip in diluted hydrogen peroxide (safe for white laces)
Step 5: Rinse and Dry
Rinse the laces in clean water. Pat dry with a towel, then let them air-dry naturally.
Avoid sunlight if you’re cleaning colored laces — it might fade the dye.
🟢 Works Best For:
- White shoelaces (canvas shoes, sneakers)
- Light gray or pastel-colored laces
- Sweat, mud, dust, or yellowing buildup
⚠️ What Not to Do
- Don’t use bleach on colored laces — it causes fading
- Don’t microwave or use hot water (can melt aglet ends)
- Don’t machine wash delicate laces (can cause fraying)
🧠 Pro Tip:
If the laces are still stiff after drying, rub them with a few drops of fabric softener and stretch lightly — this will restore flexibility.
Tried this method on my running shoes and it worked like magic! The baking soda + vinegar combo is underrated. now you also check it will work
