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How to Wash Your Shoelaces and the Best Way to Clean Your Shoes

How to Wash Your Shoelaces and the Best Way to Clean Your Shoes

Everyone knows the pain of dirty sneakers. Whether you’re a road-racer or trail-trekker, the day will come when it’s time to clean your kicks and shoelaces. There are a lot of different techniques that can be used to clean your laces and sneakers but don’t be worried; Lock Laces® is here to help break it down for you!

How to Wash Your Shoelaces

STEP 1: Remove the laces from your shoes so you can easily clean the front and back of your shoelaces. Using a small brush, lightly brush your laces from front to back, removing any excess dirt before the laces are washed in a water-based solution.

STEP 2: Place your shoelaces in a lingerie bag or pillowcase.

STEP 3: Fill your sink or a bucket with warm water. Mix in a small amount of laundry detergent to help loosen built-up grime. If your laces are solid white, you can substitute a small amount of bleach in place of the laundry detergent.

STEP 4: Put the bag into the water solution with your laces inside. Make sure the bag is saturated and entirely submerged in the water. If the bag continues to float, use a small weighted object like a dish or cup to keep the bag submerged while soaking.

STEP 5: Remove the bag from the water after your laces have soaked for about 15-20 minutes. Take the laces out of the bag, gently brushing them while still wet.

STEP 6: Drain your sink or bucket and refill with only water to rinse off the solution and any remaining dirt that may be lingering on your laces.

STEP 7: Hang your shoelaces on a drying rack so that they dangle. Putting your laces in the dryer can shrink or otherwise damage the laces. Once they have fully dried, lace up your shoes and enjoy your sparkly clean laces!

How to Machine Wash Shoes

STEP 1: Unlace your shoes

STEP 2: Use a toothbrush, nailbrush, dish brush or whatever brush you prefer to wipe off excess mud and dirt from the top and sides of your sneakers. Don’t forget to clean the dirt out of the grooves, too — a Q-Tip or pin should do the trick.

STEP 3: Put your sneakers in the washing machine and add a small amount of detergent, but be sure to check your shoe’s washing instructions before you do so. Most canvas sneakers are fine to throw in the washing machine, but some shoes may not be machine-washable. If your shoes are machine-washable, wash the shoes on a delicate setting and with cold water.

STEP 4: Let your shoes air-dry in a location out of the sun. NEVER put your shoes or laces in direct sunlight or in the dryer. The heat will cause your shoes to shrink and the colors will fade.Voilà! Your shoes look as good as new.

How to Hand Wash Shoes

STEP 1: Unlace your sneakers if you haven’t already.

STEP 2: Use a dry brush to remove any dried dirt and mud before wetting your shoes.

STEP 3: Use a small bowl to mix warm water and a small amount of laundry detergent. If you would prefer, you can use a small amount of dish soap instead of detergent.

STEP 4: Dip your brush in the water-based solution, making sure the bristles are saturated. Scrub the dirty areas of your shoes with the wet brush.

STEP 5: Gently dry your clean shoes with a paper towel or dish cloth. If your shoes remain damp, place them in a shaded area outside or over an air vent until completely dry. Perfect!

But, of course, you could get Lock Laces® elastic no tie shoelaces and completely avoid removing your laces when washing your shoes! Lock Laces® are safe to leave in your shoes while machine-washing and hand-washing! Just never use a dryer when drying your shoes or Lock Laces®.

Do you have any methods that you use to wash your laces or tennis shoes? Tell us in the comments below!

Kendra Grimes

Magic eraser is the miracle shoe cleaner

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