Washing laces in a washing machine

Machine washing shoelaces isn't common. Firstly, you can't wash them separately from other items, as spinning a practically empty drum is expensive and pointless. Secondly, small accessories are only washed in special bags, which also need to be filled with other laundry. But theoretically, you can load shoelaces into the washing machine. However, for excellent results, you'll need to follow a few rules and recommendations.

Machine wash white laces

White laces are difficult to wash by hand. The small cords can't be thoroughly scrubbed, and they get very dirty very quickly and quite badly. The situation is further complicated by the fact that even minor stains and streaks are visible on light-colored laces, making them quite difficult to remove.

A washing machine will help clean the laces, but for high-quality bleaching, follow the instructions.

1. Pre-soak the laces. Place them in a suitable basin, fill with hot water, add a lightening detergent, and let them soak for 20-30 minutes. If you don't have the opportunity to pre-soak them, you can do it the old-fashioned way: rinse the ropes under the tap, lathering them thoroughly with laundry soap.
2. Wring out the laces and place them in a protective mesh bag. A sheet or nylon tights will work well. This type of bag will prevent the laces from getting caught in the drain and falling out of the drum during the spin cycle.
3. Load the bag with the drawstrings into the drum. To avoid running the washer dry, it's recommended to add items of a matching color and material.

Laces can be washed with shoes and clothes, the main thing is not to put them in clothes that will fade.

4. Use the programmer to select a standard wash cycle, such as "Quick" or "Mixed." If your washing machine allows you to change the preset settings, adjust them accordingly: spin between 600-800°C, temperature between 35-60°C.

Unlike other items and accessories, laces are durable. If they're heavily soiled, you can safely set the water temperature to maximum without worrying about damaging the material. Also, remember that laces can be washed with shoes, insoles, and other clothing. Just remember to sort items by color to prevent fading.

Cleaning without a machine

Experience shows that hand washing laces is better. It's cheaper, faster, and better quality, as hand washing requires the use of harsh bleaches and long soaking times. White laces especially need thorough cleaning.

First, we pre-clean the items. We proceed as we would before machine washing: scrape off any caked-on dirt and rinse thoroughly with soap under the tap. If this doesn't remove the dirt and stains, we move on to more aggressive measures.

• Take a saucepan, fill it with warm water, and add 2 capfuls of gasoline. Submerge the laces in the solution and place them on the stove at medium heat. Let them simmer for 20 minutes, then remove them and rinse.
• Prepare gasoline, non-chlorine bleach, and cotton pads. Soak the cotton pads in gasoline and apply them to all stained areas. Then, remove the dirt with a damp sponge. Now dilute the stain remover, soak the laces in it, wipe, and rinse under the tap.

You can bleach white laces at home using gasoline, vinegar, toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide, or laundry soap.

• If your laces are yellowed, they need to be cleaned with 3% vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent. Take one teaspoon of each of the ingredients and mix until a paste forms. Apply the paste to a brush or sponge, apply it to the laces, and let it soak for 20-25 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat the process until the laces are perfectly clean.
• We turn to whitening toothpaste for help. After preliminary brushing, coat the laces with the cleaning solution and leave them for 30-40 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush and rinse with water.
• For minor stains, laundry soap alone will do. The tactic is simple: lather the laces, rub until foam forms, and rinse.

Special chemical compounds also cope well with stains. Oxygen bleaches have proven themselves to be effective in helping light-colored fabrics return to their snow-white hue. Just follow the instructions, prepare the solution, and soak the laces for an hour. Finally, rinse and dry.

What to wash with?

Home remedies are great, but it's faster and more convenient to use specialized chemicals rather than experimenting with ratios and proportions. Specialized formulations are available in gels, powders, concentrates, and aerosols—you just need to choose a quality product. We recommend not buying the first thing you see, but first familiarizing yourself with trusted manufacturers and brands.

• Ace Gel Ultra. This thick gel works similarly to bleach. It whitens clothes using chlorine, which penetrates the fabric's structure, leaving it shiny, fresh, and clean. It's also suitable for both hand and machine washing. Its cleaning performance isn't affected by temperature, so you can wash clothes in cold, warm, or hot water. It doesn't have a strong chemical odor, and it's affordable.
• Synergetic with active oxygen. A universal gel bleach. Its gentle formula is suitable for all fabrics and can be used in both hand and machine washing. It's also temperature-neutral: it works effectively at both low and high temperatures. The gel's key feature is its oxygen composition, which ensures fast cleaning without the need for hours of soaking.
• Amway SA is suitable for both white and colored items. It works in temperatures ranging from 20 to 90 degrees Celsius, with the higher the temperature, the more effective the cleaning agent. Its active ingredient, containing chlorine and other strong chemicals, doesn't damage the garment: it doesn't damage the material or fade colors. The only downside is the price—the gel is quite expensive.
• Vanish Gold Oxi Action. A powder mixture available in sealed jars of 90, 250, 500, and 1000 grams. It's inexpensive but highly effective—lightening items by 3-4 shades in just 30 seconds of soaking.
• Faberlic Extra Oxy. A cold-water-resistant bleach powder suitable for all fabrics. According to customer reviews, the product removes stains in one wash, and due to its concentrated composition, it is used very economically.It is important that the mixture is absolutely safe and hypoallergenic, as it does not contain chlorine or phosphates.

The laces are quite low-maintenance and easy to clean, both in the washing machine and by hand. The key is to choose the right detergent and use it according to the instructions on the packaging.

   

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