Baking soda trick to refresh your white shoelaces and neutralize shoe odors this season
2:55 PM EST, February 10, 2024
As the temperature rises, we start to switch out our footwear to match the changing season. During spring and summer, light sneakers and sporty footwear tend to be the go-to choices. Regardless of the shoe color, white laces often prevail due to their appealing look. However, they become dirty quite rapidly.
Giving your white laces a brand new shine
White shoelaces often turn to a disappointing shade of grey even after washing, which detracts from their appearance. However, there's an effective household product that can whiten shoelaces – baking soda. It's an excellent brightener for white materials, it's highly affordable and readily available in grocery stores.
To clean white shoelaces with baking soda, you'll need: baking soda, an old toothbrush, and a bit of water. Create a thick paste using equal parts of water and baking soda, coat the laces thoroughly with the paste, and leave them be for about 30 minutes. After this time, rinse the laces thoroughly in warm water and set them aside to dry. Once done, your shoelaces should regain their pristine whiteness.
If you don't have baking soda at hand, don't worry. Citric acid can be equally effective. Repeat the above procedure, replacing the baking soda with citric acid.
A super-strong solution that isn't afraid of dirt
The paste made from baking soda or citric acid can effectively deal with discolored shoelaces. This paste can also be used to clean white shoes, but the material of the shoes should dictate its use. For instance, leather shoes can be damaged by both the soda and the acid.
To clean white shoes, apply a small amount of baking soda to a soft cloth and gently wipe the shoes with it. Do not leave the paste on for more than two minutes. After this time, simply wipe the shoes with a damp cloth and let them dry.
Additionally, baking soda is an excellent odor neutralizer. If your shoes have developed an unfortunate smell after a season of use, sprinkle the insoles with baking soda and let them sit overnight. In the morning, give them a good shake to remove the baking soda. This should completely rid your shoes of any lingering unpleasant odors.
