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Hibbett How To: Clean Shoelaces

Hibbett How To: Clean Shoelaces

Aug 10, 2020

We’ve told you how (and why) to clean those kicks, but when it comes to proper shoe care, shoelace cleaning hasn’t gotten as much play as it should. Hibbett | City Gear is here to change that. Follow our easy tips to get more life out of your laces.

Brush ‘Em Off

Brush away any visible dirt from your laces. You can use a toothbrush or a soft-bristled brush like the one that’s included in the Crep Protect Crep Cure Travel Kit or the Sneaker Lab Basic Shoe Care kit. Just be careful not to scrub too hard; you don’t want to loosen the fibers of the laces, which could damage their integrity. You wouldn’t want to be running drills and your laces fray in the middle of play.

Soak Your Laces

After you’ve brushed away surface dirt and debris, fill a bowl with hot water and a few drops of dish soap or laundry detergent. Put your shoelaces into the solution and swirl them for a gentle cleanse. For white laces, add a minuscule amount of bleach to hot water. Let the laces sit for about 10 minutes, then wring them out and let them air-dry.

Set a Cycle

If you’d rather not use the hot-water-in-a-bowl method, you can put your shoelaces in with your laundry and wash them in the washing machine. However; don’t just drop your laces in loosely. To avoid tangling your laces around other objects in the washer, secure your shoelaces in a pillowcase or mesh bag, and close up the bag or pillowcase to keep laces from flying out. Put the bundle in a washer and run a regular laundry cycle. When the cycle is done, take the shoelaces out of the bag and let them air-dry. 

Say Goodbye to Stubborn Stains 

Mud spots, rain puddle and gym floor grime can quickly make new laces look old. If the above methods don’t work for you, try treating your shoelaces with a shoe-cleaning solution like the 10 Seconds Shoe Cleaner, Jason Markk Ready to Use Foam cleanser or Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner Starter Kit, which includes a cleaning spray solution and a soft-bristled brush.

Know When to “Fold ’Em”

Want the freshest shoes out there? It’s totally OK (and encouraged!) to replace laces past their expiration date. Replacement shoelaces are a super easy to and cost-effective way to update your kicks.

Now that you’ve given those shoelaces some love, try out Hibbett | City Gear’s best lacing techniques to give your shoe the best fit for your foot. 

Looking for more tips on being the best sneakerhead you can be? Check out these tips for how to start a sneaker collection and how to properly store your kicks.

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