Over time, white shoelaces tend to accumulate stubborn stains and lose their original shine. Lacing can then make your favorite pair of shoes look sloppy. However, there is no need to replace them when they get dirty! Thanks to a few simple and effective grandmother’s tips, you can restore their shine as soon as they start to turn gray or yellow due to wear and dirt. With these natural, ecological and inexpensive bleaching techniques based on common ingredients that you probably already have at home, no more stubborn stains on your white shoelaces! Best of all, you’ll see that you don’t need toxic chemicals like bleach to make your sneakers or white shoes fresh again.
If you have a whitening machine, slip your heavily soiled shoelaces into a protective net and add a natural, eco-friendly whitening care product. Otherwise, opt for hand washing! With these economical tips, you will find the solution that suits you in any case. Remember to bring a basin and an old toothbrush, nail brush, or soft-bristled cleaning brush to scrub the laces without damaging them.
1) Baking soda to save your white shoelaces
The king of ecological household products allows you to loosen the laces thoroughly to restore their original whiteness. To do this, simply dilute soap (black soap, Marseille soap or even dishwashing liquid) in a basin of hot water. Then, mix in 250g of baking soda and let the laces soak for two to three hours. After this, take care to scrub them with a suitable brush and rinse thoroughly. Whiteness guaranteed!
2) Toothpaste, the unusual stain removal tip
Toothpaste is a more versatile product than you might imagine! It is indeed very useful for cleaning thanks to its whitening and stain removal power. In addition to filling holes and cleaning a lot of things in the kitchen, toothpaste can also be used to clean white rubber soles and of course laces too. To revive the beauty of the lacing and ensure its whitening, however, be sure touse only basic white toothpaste. Apply this product to a dry shoelace and scrub with a brush or sponge. Then rinse well and let everything dry.
3) Lemon to add shine naturally
Lemon juice shines with its extraordinary whitening properties linked to its concentration of natural citric acid. You can use it in two ways. On the one hand, it is possible to put the juice of a lemon or a sliced citrus fruit in boiled water with a tablespoon of laundry detergent or soap. Let your laces soak in this magical mixture for 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing carefully. If you plan to put them in the washing machine in a net with the rest of the white laundry (tea towels, sheets, etc.), you can also add lemon juice directly to the drum of the washing machine.
4) Hydrogen peroxide to restore the whiteness of white laces
Hydrogen peroxide (also known more simply as oxygenated water) has a strong whitening power. To use it, prepare a basin of hot water to which you will add a glass of 30% hydrogen peroxide. Let the laces soak in this liquid for half an hour before scrubbing and rinsing. Feel free to repeat if necessary.
5) Sodium percarbonate, the ultimate whitening product to the rescue
Of all the natural cleaning products, sodium percarbonate is undoubtedly one of the most effective for removing stains and whitening laundry. To use it here, pour 5 liters of hot water into a basin and add 1 tablespoon of powder. Leave to soak for a good two hours, scrub and rinse. Brilliant whiteness guaranteed!
6) The dishwasher tablet: the unusual whitening tip
We can divert the dishwasher tablet from its original use to clean the oven effortlessly… but also for cleaning and removing laces! It’s not necessarily the most effective whitening tip, but it has the merit of working well enough to give a good clean and replace the others if you don’t have the ingredients on hand. To do this, add everything to a basin of hot water and let the laces soak for 5 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
7) Soda crystals for impeccable white shoelaces
The soda crystals are still more powerful than sodium bicarbonate and therefore perfect for very dirty laces. Put on household gloves and add a cup of it to a basin of hot water. Next, let your laces bubble for two hours before scrubbing and rinsing. The crystals can also be used in a machine for whitening, especially since they will have a double action by descaling the washing machine as it passes. Here, count 125 g to add to your laundry and run the usual program. Your white laundry like your shoelaces will be dazzlingly white!
8) Sorrel salt: grandma’s tip for whitening white shoelaces
Less known than its counterparts, sorrel salt (or oxalic acid) helps to whiten the laundry and, by extension, the laces too. It is best used in the washing machine by adding a tablespoon of it to the detergent drawer with the usual detergent before starting the wash. It’s very effective!
Don’t hesitate to opt for drying in the sun to add shine to your laces and complete the action of these tips.
What if they are colored laces?
In this case, avoid using these recipes and techniques! If bicarbonate works well to revive the colors, the others could indeed risk dull your lacing and wash it out. To wash them effectively, therefore prefer a basin of water and white vinegar. Use half water, half household vinegar and add a drop of detergent. Finally, let your shoelaces soak in this mixture for a few minutes, brush and rinse.