Dingy, dirty shoelaces can really bring down a nice pair of sneakers!

But before you go out and buy new shoelaces, try these five safe and easy methods for cleaning white shoelaces without bleach or harsh detergents.

Key Takeaways 

• Chlorine bleach is highly toxic and can damage shoelaces
• Human-safe alternatives work just as well (if not better) than bleach
• Top picks include Branch Basics Oxygen Boost, vinegar, baking soda, and peroxide
  

Use Your Washing Machine + Branch Basics Laundry

Oftentimes, shoelaces will come clean with a simple wash in the washing machine using good detergent.

Here’s how to wash your shoelaces in the washing machine, without losing them down the drain!

1. Do a quick rinse under warm water to remove any debris or dirt.
2. If they’re really dirty, do a pre-treatment with Branch Basics All-Purpose and a toothbrush to help break up stains.
3. Place your shoelaces in a mesh laundry bag.
4. Add Branch Basics Laundry Detergent or Branch Basics Laundry dilution plus Oxygen Boost to your washer.
5. Throw them in with your next load of laundry.
6. Before drying, check the shoelaces to see if they’ve come clean; if not, move on to one of these other techniques.
7. If they are clean, air-dry, and replaced.
   

Baking Soda

A simple baking soda paste can do wonders for removing stains, whitening, and brightening shoelaces.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Run your laces under warm water to remove dirt and debris.
2. Make a thick paste using 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda plus enough water to make it spreadable.
3. Spread the paste on the shoelaces in a thick layer.
4. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Rinse completely and hang to dry.

Note, if the shoelaces come mostly, but not completely, clean, repeat the procedure or follow up with a wash as outlined in the previous section.

Related Reading: Cleaning With Baking Soda: 12 Surprising Uses

Vinegar 

Vinegar has natural bleaching, stain-removing, and deodorizing qualities, making it an excellent solution for cleaning shoe laces.

Here are two ways to use it:

1. The Soaking Method: For Really Dirty, Stained Laces

1. Run laces under warm water to remove debris and dirt.
2. Combine 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a bowl.
3. Soak the laces for one to several hours.
4. Scrub away any remaining stains, rinse, and air dry.

2. The Scrubbing Method: For Moderately Soiled Laces

1. Run laces under warm water to remove debris and dirt.
2. Spray undiluted vinegar or a 50:50 vinegar-to-water mixture directly onto your shoelaces, then scrub clean.
3. Rinse and air dry.

As with the baking soda method, if most of the stains come out but not all, try the washing machine method as a final step. Always air dry.

Related reading: 12 Ways To Use Vinegar In Your Home 

3. Branch Basics Oxygen Boost + All-Purpose

Branch Basics Oxygen Boost offers a quick and super-effective way to clean white shoelaces without bleach.

Oxygen Boost is a mineral-based combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and sodium percarbonate (aka: oxygen bleach or powdered peroxide), and makes a terrific soaking aid or scouring agent.

Here are two ways to use it.

1: The Soaking Method (almost effortless, and works great on all levels of soil or stains)

1. Run laces under warm water to remove debris and dirt.
2. Fill a bowl or basin with warm water and add half a scoop of Branch Basics Oxygen Boost.
3. Submerge shoelaces in the bowl, and soak for an hour or overnight.
4. Rinse clean, and air dry or follow up with a wash in the washing machine.

2: The Scrubbing Method (takes a little more effort, but is faster and works great)

1. Run laces under warm water to remove debris and dirt.
2. Spray laces with Branch Basics All-Purpose dilution and sprinkle on enough Oxygen Boost to cover.
3. Scrub clean with a natural scrub brush or toothbrush, and repeat on the other side.
4. Rinse clean and air-dry, or follow up with a wash in the washing machine as outlined in
5. the previous section.

Lemon Juice

Pure lemon juice is an incredible all-natural whitening tool and bleach alternative that works wonderfully on shoelaces and other stains.

To use:

1. Run laces under warm water to remove debris and dirt.
2. Spray undiluted lemon juice, or a 50:50 dilution of lemon juice and water, directly onto your shoelaces, then scrub clean.
3. For really stubborn grime, allow dwell time of 15-30 minutes, then scrub some more.
4. Rinse and air dry, or run through the washing machine if needed.

Peroxide for Extra Stain Removal

Plain old 3% hydrogen peroxide is an excellent bleach alternative and gentle enough to use directly on white shoelaces.

You can use this as your primary cleaning method, or for extra stain-removing power alongside the other methods.

Note: Peroxide must never be combined with vinegar, as this will create a toxic gas. If you’re using both, use one, remove it completely, then use the other. Never mix them together on the shoelaces or in a bottle.

To use (general cleaning)

1. Run laces under warm water to remove debris and dirt.
2. Pour or spray 3% peroxide directly onto the laces.
3. Allow 5-10 minutes dwell time.
4. Scrub clean using a toothbrush or natural scrub brush.

To use (stain removal)

1. Apply peroxide directly to the stain, agitate, and allow a 5-10 minute dwell time.
2. Rinse clean and repeat if necessary.

You can also use peroxide as a bleach alternative in the washing machine. Add 1 cup per load for white or light colored clothing.

Related reading: How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide For Stains

Tips for Keeping Laces White Longer

Now that your shoelaces are clean, let’s keep them that way. Here are some helpful tips.

Avoid Muddy & Dusty Areas

Obviously, you’ll want to avoid muddy and dusty areas when wearing white shoes or shoelaces.

When this isn’t possible, do your best to dust them off when you get home or give them a quick run through the washing machine to avoid set-in stains.

Treat Stains As Soon As Possible

We all spill things on our shoes and laces, but treating them quickly is the key to preserving their life and preventing extra work later on.

Branch Basics All-Purpose and Oxygen Boost, as well as vinegar, baking soda, peroxide, and lemon juice, can all be used on localized stains.

Related: Top 7 Natural and Reliable Laundry Stain Removers 

Regularly Air Out Shoes To Prevent Sweat Build-Up

Why do gym shoelaces get dirty if you don’t wear them outside? Sweat build-up!

This can be prevented by giving shoes and shoelaces a quick wipe-down once a week and airing them out between sweat sessions.

Check out How To Remove Sweat And Armpit Stains for more tips on keeping gym apparel fresh. 

Toss the Toxins With Branch Basics

From shoelaces to showers, floors to ovens, if you’re looking for bleach-free cleaners, stain removers, and laundry products, you have to check out Branch Basics.

Our all-in-one, human-safe, refillable cleaning line is designed to replace every harsh chemical cleaner and laundry product in your home with just one Concentrate plus optional Oxygen Boost.

How does it work?

Simply add the recommended amount of Branch Basics Concentrate plus water to the refillable bottle to create All-Purpose, Streak-Free, Bathroom, Foaming Wash, and Laundry.

Need more cleaning power? Add in Oxygen Boost for extra human-safe bleaching, scouring, and stain removal.

Both come in our Premium Starter Kit and Ultimate Starter Kit.

We also offer Plastic-free Dishwasher Tablets, Branch Basics Laundry Detergent (powder, lets your Concentrate go further), Gel Hand Soap, and natural cleaning accessories.

Branch Basics was formulated with the highest-quality, human-safe, environmentally friendly ingredients, making it suitable for use around babies, pets, people with chemical sensitivities, and those with sensitive skin.

Our products are also MADE Safe Certified, EWG-Verified, and Leaping Bunny Certified, and our Concentrate is third-party tested as a non-skin and eye irritant.

Shop Branch Basics Starter Kits now and discover the bleach-free power of pure.

FAQs About Cleaning Shoe Laces

Q: Can I Put Laces in the Washing Machine?

A: Yes, but be sure to put them in a mesh or GuppyFriend bag to prevent them from accidentally going down the drain or getting tangled in other clothing.

Q: How Do I Wash Colorful Shoelaces? 

A: Most of these methods can be used on colored shoelaces, too.

Exceptions are 3% hydrogen peroxide and straight, undiluted Oxygen Boost (soaking is fine), which may discolor clothing.