Shoe laces get dirty fast. They drag on the ground, get stepped on, and absorb sweat. The good news? You do not need to buy new laces every time they look rough. Washing them takes about ten minutes. Here is exactly how to wash shoe laces so they come out looking fresh, no matter what material they are made from.<\/p>\n
Before you throw laces in water, look at what they are made of. Cotton laces are the most common. They handle warm water and soap well. Polyester laces are tougher and dry faster. They also resist shrinking.<\/p>\n
Waxed cotton laces are different. These have a coating that keeps them stiff and water-resistant. Do not soak waxed laces in hot water. It melts the wax and ruins the finish. For waxed laces, wipe them down with a damp cloth instead. If they are truly filthy, use cold water and mild soap, then let them air dry completely.<\/p>\n
Leather laces need special care. Never submerge them. Use a leather cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe them down. Condition them afterward with a small amount of leather conditioner to keep them supple.<\/p>\n
Here is the simple method that works every time. Fill a bowl or sink with warm water. Add a few drops of dish soap or a small squirt of laundry detergent. Dish soap like Dawn cuts through grease and grime well. Laundry detergent works fine for general dirt.<\/p>\n
Place the laces in the soapy water. Let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes. This loosens the dirt trapped in the fibers. After soaking, rub the laces between your hands. Focus on the ends and the eyelet sections \u2014 those areas get the most wear.<\/p>\n
For stubborn stains, use an old toothbrush. Dip it in the soapy water and scrub the stained spots gently. Work the bristles into the weave. Rinse the laces under running water until the water runs clear. Squeeze out the excess water gently. Do not wring them \u2014 wringing twists the fibers and can cause permanent creases.<\/p>\n
You can wash laces in the washing machine. Put them inside a mesh laundry bag first. This stops them from tangling around other clothes or wrapping around the agitator. Tie the laces in a loose knot before placing them in the bag. This prevents them from snagging on zippers or hooks.<\/p>\n
Use a cold or warm water cycle. Skip the hot water \u2014 it can shrink cotton laces and weaken polyester fibers. Use a gentle cycle if your machine has one. Add them to a load of towels or jeans so they have something to rub against. Washing laces alone in an empty machine does not clean them well because there is no friction.<\/p>\n
Do not machine wash waxed or leather laces. The agitation and water will destroy them. Also avoid machine drying. The heat in a dryer will shrink cotton laces and can melt synthetic tips (called aglets). Always air dry.<\/p>\n
Different stains need different treatments. Here is what works for the most common offenders:<\/p>\n
For white laces that have turned gray or yellow, try a whitening booster. Add a scoop of oxygen bleach like OxiClean to your soak water. Let the laces soak for 30 minutes instead of 15. Rinse thoroughly. This restores brightness without the harshness of chlorine bleach.<\/p>\n
Air drying is the only method you should use. Hang the laces over a towel rack, a shower rod, or a clothesline. You can also lay them flat on a dry towel. Do not hang them in direct sunlight for long periods. UV rays can fade colored laces and weaken the fibers over time.<\/p>\n
If you need them dry fast, roll them in a clean dry towel. Press down to absorb the moisture. Then hang them. This speeds up the process significantly.<\/p>\n
Never put laces in the dryer. The tumbling action causes tangling and can melt plastic aglets. If the metal tips get bent or damaged, the lace will fray quickly. Air drying takes two to four hours depending on the material. Cotton takes longer than polyester.<\/p>\n
Wash your laces every time you wash your shoes. That keeps everything looking consistent. If you wear the same pair daily, wash the laces every two weeks. If you rotate shoes, wash laces once a month.<\/p>\n
You will know it is time when you see visible dirt lines or the laces look dull compared to when they were new. Also wash them after any outdoor activity in mud or rain. Dirt contains abrasive particles that wear down the fibers over time. Regular washing actually extends the life of your laces.<\/p>\n
One quick tip: keep a spare pair of laces. When one pair is drying, you can swap in the backup. This costs a few dollars and saves you from wearing shoes with wet laces.<\/p>\n
Yes, but only on white cotton or polyester laces. Use a diluted solution \u2014 one part chlorine bleach to five parts water. Soak for no more than 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Never use bleach on colored laces. It will strip the dye and leave them blotchy. Oxygen bleach like OxiClean is safer for most laces and still brightens white ones well.<\/p>\n
Aglets are fragile. Avoid scrubbing them hard with a toothbrush. When washing, the soapy water will clean them enough. If an aglet cracks, you can replace it. Slip-on aglets are available at craft stores. Or wrap the end with clear nail polish and let it dry. This seals the lace and prevents fraying.<\/p>\n
This usually happens when soap residue remains in the fibers. You did not rinse thoroughly enough. Rinse laces under running water for at least 30 seconds, squeezing gently as you go. If they still feel stiff after drying, wash them again with no soap. Just water and a little fabric softener. The softener will help restore flexibility.<\/p>\n
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Dishwasher detergent is too harsh for most lace materials. The heat can also shrink cotton laces. Stick with hand washing or the washing machine method described above. It gives you more control and better results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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