Shoe laces may be a small detail, but they can make a big difference. Even the smartest pair of shoes can start to look a little tired if the laces are dull, muddy or stiff with dried-on dirt.
Clean laces instantly freshen up the whole shoe, helping your child to feel confident and ready for the day, whether they’re off to school, heading out on a family outing or dressing up for a special occasion.
Laces have an important job. As well as helping shoes to fit securely, they also support children as they build confidence and independence by learning to tie them. While they’re mastering the skill, they may still need a little encouragement and supervision, especially when rogue laces have a habit of coming undone at exactly the wrong moment.
Keeping laces clean also helps to maintain the condition of the shoes themselves. Dirt can transfer onto the uppers, and stiff laces can make fastening less comfortable and more slippery. A quick refresh helps everything to look and feel its best, and the good news is that washing and caring for laces is nice and easy.
Before washing, always remove the laces completely. This stops dirt from spreading onto the shoe, especially with canvas styles, and makes it easier to clean every part of the lace. Give them a quick shake outside to remove any loose mud, then choose the cleaning method that best suits you.
Whether you prefer a quick hand wash or want to pop them into the machine with your usual laundry, both methods can work well. The best option depends on how dirty the laces are and how much time you have.
A few handy tips before you begin:
Yes, and it’s often the most convenient option. Hand washing is ideal when laces are very muddy, when you don’t have a full load of laundry ready, or when you need them cleaned quickly.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Fill a bowl with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
2. Soak the laces for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the dirt.
3. Gently rub the laces between your fingers to lift any stubborn marks.
4. Rinse thoroughly under cool water.
5. Squeeze out the excess water without twisting too firmly.
Hand washing is gentle, effective and perfect for those last-minute cleans. It’s also a good choice for delicate laces or those with special finishes.
Yes, washing shoe laces in the machine is often the quickest and easiest option, especially if you already have a load ready to go.
Simply place the laces in a small laundry bag or tuck them inside a sock if you don’t have one, to stop them wrapping themselves around everything in sight. Then add them to your usual wash and let the machine do the hard work.
If the laces are especially muddy, a quick rinse or pre-soak first can help to remove the worst of the dirt before they go in.
Once they’re clean, remove the laces from the bag and leave them to air-dry. This helps the fibres to keep their shape and can make the laces last longer.
They can, but it’s not the best idea.
Tumble dryers can shrink laces, weaken the fibres and cause fraying. They also have a habit of wrapping themselves around other clothes in the load, which can damage them and leave you with a tangle to sort out afterwards.
Air-drying is the safest and most reliable method. Simply lay the laces flat on a towel or hang them near a radiator, rather than directly on it, and they should dry fairly quickly.
On sunny days, you can peg them outside on the line, and white laces may even benefit from the sun’s natural brightening effect. If you need them in a hurry, pat them dry with a towel first to speed things up.
White laces are well known for holding onto stains. Even after a normal wash, they can still look a little grey because of mud, sweat and everyday wear. A gentle soak can help to restore their brightness and keep shoes looking fresh.
If you choose to use a bleach solution, it’s important that this is done by an adult only and with extra care. Here’s how to brighten white laces safely:
1. Mix one tablespoon of bleach with one litre of warm water.
2. Submerge the laces fully and leave them to soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
4. Leave them to air-dry as usual.
Always wear gloves when handling bleach, keep the room well-ventilated and take care to avoid splashes on clothing, surfaces or shoes. Children should not handle bleach. If you’d prefer a gentler option, bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar can help to lift discolouration too.
White laces may need cleaning a little more often than darker ones, especially for active children or anyone who loves that ‘box-fresh’ look. Regular washing can help to prevent deeper staining and keep shoes looking their best.
Whether you choose to hand wash, machine wash or brighten white laces with a little extra care, looking after them can make a real difference. And when your child is ready to explore lace-up styles, Start-Rite’s fitted lace-up school shoes offer comfort, support and a grown-up feel they’ll love.
Author: Start-Rite Shoes, published 11-08-2026.
