Make shoelaces white again? How to freshen white laces

White shoelaces make the difference between sneakers that look well kept and sneakers that instantly look dull. Luckily, you do not have to replace yellowed or dirty laces right away. With the right approach, you can make laces white again, loosen stains, and bring back the fresh look of your sneakers. Below, you will read how to get white shoelaces white again, which products work well, and which ones are better to avoid.

How do you get white shoelaces white again?

The safest way to make white shoelaces white again is to remove them from your shoes, brush off dry dirt first, and then clean them in lukewarm water with a mild cleaner. For extra freshness, baking soda often works well. It lets you whiten laces without bleach, which is usually safer for the fibers and the lace tips.

If your laces have mainly turned dull from dust, street dirt, or soap residue, a mild treatment is usually enough. For stubborn stains, you can soak them a bit longer or use a soft brush. Always let the laces air dry afterwards. That helps them keep their shape and prevents them from becoming stiff or damaged.

Why white laces turn dull so quickly

White laces attract visible dirt faster than dark laces. That is because dust, mud, street grime, skin oils, and sweat show up immediately on light material. Cotton or woven sneaker laces especially absorb dirt easily. Tying them with your hands and contact with the tongue of your shoe also causes white laces to develop a yellowish or grey haze over time.

On top of that, leftover detergent or poor rinsing can stay in the fibers. That can make laces look duller than they really are. If you clean white laces briefly and regularly, you can usually prevent them from becoming truly yellowed.

How to whiten laces in 5 steps

1. Remove the laces from your shoes

Always untie the laces first and remove them completely from the shoes. That way, you can clean every part properly and prevent dirt from staying around the eyelets. Cleaning also becomes more even when the lace is no longer inside the sneaker.

2. Brush away loose dirt and dust

Use a dry, soft brush or an old toothbrush to loosen sand, dust, and dried mud. A soft sneaker brush helps prevent damage to the fibers.

3. Soak the laces in a mild soapy solution

Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add a little mild soap or delicate detergent. Leave the laces in it for 15 to 30 minutes. For lightly soiled white shoelaces, this is often enough to make them look noticeably fresher. A sneaker cleaner works safely here and helps prevent discoloration.

4. Treat dull spots more thoroughly

If you still see grey or yellowish areas, gently scrub them with a soft brush. You can also use a paste made from baking soda and water. It is a popular way to clean laces with baking soda without immediately reaching for harsh products.

5. Rinse well and let them air dry

Rinse the laces thoroughly with clean water so no soap or baking soda remains. Gently squeeze out excess water and lay the laces flat on a towel or hang them up to dry. It is better not to use a dryer or direct heat.

Whitening laces with baking soda

For many people, this is the best way to make white laces white again. Baking soda helps lift grease, buildup, and a dull grey film without treating the material too harshly. Especially for white sneaker laces that have lost their brightness, this is a safe first step.

Make a thick paste from baking soda with a little water. Apply it to the damp laces and gently rub it in with your fingers or a soft toothbrush. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. If the laces are not fully fresh yet, you can repeat the treatment once more. You can find more tips in our article about cleaning white sneakers with baking soda.

• Suitable for lightly yellowed or dull laces
• Useful if you want to whiten laces without bleach
• Gentle brushing helps prevent fiber damage

Whitening laces without bleach

If you want to clean safely, a mild method is usually the better choice. In practice, whitening laces without bleach is often enough, especially if your laces are not heavily soiled. Bleach may make white laces lighter, but it can also damage the fabric, coating, and plastic lace tips more quickly.

Good bleach-free options are:

• baking soda with water
• mild soap or delicate detergent in lukewarm water
• a short wash in a laundry bag on a low temperature

For most white shoelaces, this is more than enough to get them clean and fresh again. Especially if you rinse the laces well and let them dry properly, you avoid leaving behind a dull residue.

Whitening laces with bleach - should you do it?

You can whiten laces with bleach, but it is not the first choice. Bleach is more aggressive than mild cleaners and can make laces wear out faster, dry out, or turn yellow. It can also damage the lace tips. That is why it is smarter to try baking soda or a mild soap solution first.

If you still want to use bleach, only do so on fully white laces and always dilute it. Never soak the laces for long, and rinse them immediately and very thoroughly afterwards. Do not use this method for colored laces, reflective laces, or special materials.

Can you wash white laces in the washing machine?

Yes, you can, but do it carefully. The washing machine is especially useful for lightly to moderately dirty laces. Put them in a laundry bag or pillowcase, choose a mild detergent, and wash them on a low temperature, preferably 30 degrees. Then let them air dry. Want to know exactly when and how to do this safely? Read our article about sneakers in the washing machine.

The washing machine is less suitable for delicate or premium lace styles, such as fluffy laces, reflective laces, or elastic laces with a fastening system. Those are better cleaned by hand. For regular white sneaker laces, a short wash cycle often works well as a maintenance method.

Which method suits your laces?

Situation	Best approach
Slightly dull white laces	Lukewarm water with mild soap
Yellowed or dull laces	Baking soda paste and gentle brushing
Quick maintenance wash	Washing machine at 30 degrees in a laundry bag
Stubborn dirt	Soak first, then spot treat
Delicate or special laces	Always hand wash, no aggressive products

What you should avoid

• Do not use strong or undiluted bleach on your laces
• It is better not to put laces in the dryer
• Do not use a hard brush that scrapes open the fabric
• Do not leave soap residue in the laces
• Do not use hot water on delicate materials

These mistakes often cause white laces to become stiff, dull, or damaged more quickly. A mild approach usually works better and is safer for everyday care.

When is it better to choose new white laces?

Sometimes laces can no longer be properly refreshed. Think of fraying, permanent yellowing, damaged tips, or fabric that has become thin and limp. In that case, replacing them is often the smartest option. Choose new laces to instantly give your sneakers a fresh look.

At Hypedpair, you will find different white sneaker laces, such as flat laces, wide laces, oval laces, rope laces, reflective laces, and elastic laces. That is useful if you are not only looking for clean laces, but also for laces that fit better or look more stylish with your sneakers. Not sure which size to choose? Check which shoelace length you need.

FAQ about whitening laces

How do I get white laces white again?

Remove the laces from your shoes, brush away loose dirt, soak them in lukewarm water with mild soap, and treat dull areas with baking soda if needed. Rinse well and let them air dry.

Can I clean white laces with baking soda?

Yes, and it is one of the most popular methods. Especially for dull or lightly yellowed laces, a paste of baking soda and water often works very well.

How can I whiten shoelaces without bleach?

Use mild soap, lukewarm water, and optionally baking soda. That way, you can whiten shoelaces without the risk of harsh products damaging the fabric.

Can I bleach laces?

Only if they are fully white laces, and only in diluted form. Even then, it is usually better to try a milder method first, because bleach can damage the material or cause yellowing.

Can white laces go in the washing machine?

Yes, as long as you put them in a laundry bag, wash them on a low temperature, and do not use a dryer. For special or delicate laces, hand washing is safer.

How often should I clean my white laces?

That depends on how often you wear your sneakers. If you see a dull film or stains, clean them right away. Regular quick cleaning helps prevent white laces from becoming truly yellowed. If you also want to clean the rest of your shoes, read more about cleaning white sneakers or choose a suitable sneaker cleaner straight away.

This article was written by Marijn van der Heijden.