How to clean white shoelaces without soaking leather trainers

Grey laces do not mean your entire leather trainer needs a soak. Remove the laces and clean them separately. This method is for ordinary textile laces whose care instructions allow washing; leather, waxed and decorative laces may need different treatment.

Check before washing

Photograph the lacing first. Remove the laces gently rather than pulling damaged tips through the eyelets. Brush away loose dust and dry mud with a soft brush. Split aglets or broken fibres are reasons to consider replacement.

A gentle hand wash

1. Put lukewarm water and a small amount of mild laundry detergent in a bowl, following its instructions.
2. Wet the laces and gently loosen dirt with your fingers or a soft brush.
3. Rinse thoroughly until no suds remain between the fibres.
4. Press excess water into a clean towel without twisting the tips hard.

Dry before relacing

Air-dry at room temperature away from radiators and tumble dryers. Refit only completely dry laces, then adjust the fit while wearing the shoes. Washable laces do not make leather trainers machine washable.

What if a stain remains?

Check both the material instructions and the cleaner’s label before further treatment. Avoid mixing household cleaners or using bleach without explicit material compatibility. Some stains remain; extra scrubbing cannot repair worn fibres.

For a new pair, compare measurements with the size table. Explore the barefoot sneakers, including Antal Amada Tea Green. Check availability in your size.