What Causes Mold On Shoes? How To Prevent It?

Many of us have retrieved a pair of shoes from storage only to be confronted with a moldy odor. The first thing that comes to mind is to toss the kicks away. It is not, however, too late to save them. Today, we’re going to look at how to get mold out of shoes.

Mold is practically unavoidable whether you live in a humid area or store your winter boots for an extended period of time.

What causes mold on shoes? – Shoestorenyc will answer this question below:

What causes mold on shoes?

Mold is a tough fungus that may spread and develop on practically any surface, including shoes and clothing. Mold may grow in places where there is a lot of moisture, such as leaks, damp nooks, or wet insoles.

Mold development is very common in shoes. Fungus thrives in the dark, warm, and wet environment that footwear provides. The insoles, for example, are susceptible to sweat moisture, whilst the exterior materials are left open to the outdoors. If you don’t thoroughly dry your shoes, you’ll end up with moldy odors.

If you’ve come into touch with spores and brought them home with you, you’re also at risk. Mold may spread via the air and stick to your clothes and shoes. You may even tread on a fungus-infested surface and transport it home that way.

The spores will continue to develop if there is any moisture left on your shoes.

Mold is a tough fungus that may spread and develop on practically any surface, including shoes and clothing. Mold may grow in places where there is a lot of moisture, such as leaks, damp nooks, or wet insoles.

Mold development is very common in shoes. Fungus thrives in the dark, warm, and wet environment that footwear provides. The insoles, for example, are susceptible to sweat moisture, whilst the exterior materials are left open to the outdoors. If you don’t thoroughly dry your shoes, you’ll end up with moldy odors.

If you’ve come into touch with spores and brought them home with you, you’re also at risk. Mold may spread via the air and stick to your clothes and shoes. You may even tread on a fungus-infested surface and transport it home that way.

The spores will continue to develop if there is any moisture left on your shoes.

Can Moldy Shoes Be Saved?

After the mold has formed in your closet or on your shoes, it may be feasible to salvage them. Shoes are an investment in one’s wardrobe, and many of us would like to know how to save them from the garbage. Even if you don’t notice mold on your shoes, but you do find mold in your closet, you should clean everything within.

First, clean your shoes in the shade outside. Wear a mask and gloves if there is visible mold. If possible, remove the laces and insoles. Brush off your shoes with a soft bristle brush or a dry towel, then disinfect them with a solution of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol.

Wipe each shoe thoroughly inside and out after soaking and wringing out a towel in this solution. To reach corners and tight crevices, use Q-tips. After rinsing with a clean cloth and simple water, let your shoe air dry.

Continue to the next step when the shoes have completely dried. Wash the shoes with a cloth dipped in warm soapy water and rinse them as previously. Allow the clean shoes to air dry once more outside.

How to prevent mold on shoes in the closet?

Mold thrives in closets, and it can wreak havoc on anything you keep within, including shoes and bags. It usually develops as a result of high humidity or leaking plumbing, and it can even move from the attic via the ceiling.

Here are some suggestions for keeping mold out of your closet:

• Maintain as much dryness as possible. If you’ve just returned from a rainy stroll, make sure your shoes are entirely dry before putting them away. The same applies to your laundry: don’t hang anything that’s still damp since the spores can readily transfer to your shoes.
• Keep soiled clothing and shoes out of the closet. Before putting anything away, make sure it’s clean.
• Mold thrives on dirt or food waste, and if only one piece becomes infected, it may swiftly spread.
• Remove everything plastic from the room, including dry-cleaning bags. If you think putting your shoes in plastic bags would preserve them, think again. The material retains humidity, which stimulates mold growth.
• Items should not be left on the closet floor. Instead, store what you can on shelves in case of leaks, which might result in excess moisture and mildew.
• Close the closet doors as much as possible if the humidity in your home is excessive. This will keep wet air out, which will keep mold from growing.
• Make it a point to tidy your closet at least once a month. Take the objects out once a month, or every two months, to dust everything, vacuum the floor and walls, and allow some fresh air in.
• Don’t dismiss musty or moldy odors. Follow the odor to its source and, if possible, eliminate it. If the odor is coming from behind the wall, call a licensed contractor.
• Consider leaving the lights on as much as possible inside the closet. Because mold thrives in damp environments, the warmth provided by a light bulb may aid in keeping the environment dry.
• If your shelves are made of wood, try replacing them with wire shelves. These allow air to flow and are mold-resistant in comparison to wood.

Pro tips

• Consider replacing your closet doors with louvered doors if you don’t have a problem with high humidity in your house. These allow fresh air to enter, making the indoor environment less mold-friendly.

• Consider a dehumidifier, such as the SEASON New Electric 2020 Mini, if excessive humidity is a problem. These solutions are small and may simply be tucked away in a corner. It will extract moisture from the air, preventing damp walls and mold growth.

• If you’re going to leave them on, use energy-efficient light bulbs that won’t add to your energy bill. Also, keep them away from clothes and fibers to avoid fire danger.

• Another approach to keep moisture away is to hang dehumidifier bags in the closet, especially if you live in a humid environment. The Vacplus Moisture Absorber Packets, for example, allows you to see just how much moisture it absorbs.

• Small to midsize closets might also benefit from silica gel packets, such as these from Dry & Dry. Small containers like this are convenient to store between clothing items and within shoes.

Treating Stains on Moldy Leather Shoes

If an item of leather clothing has a removable fabric lining, clean it to remove any visible mildew stains. After the lining is completely dry, treat dark spots with a solution of oxygen bleach and water. In a non-metallic container, mix 2 tablespoons of dry oxygen bleach (e.g., OxiClean, Nellie’s All-Natural Oxygen Brightener, or OXO Brite) with 1 cup water. Dab the stained areas with the solution, allowing it to sit for at least an hour or longer. Next, sponge the area with a clean cloth dipped in water and let air dry. Be careful not to splash the solution directly onto the leather because it can harm the finish. Repeat until any discoloration is removed.

If you still see mold stains on leather shoes after cleaning them, rub a mixture made from equal parts water and rub alcohol onto the area with a clean cloth. Rub in a circular motion, then use another clean damp cloth to rinse the area. Let the shoe completely air dry.

You need:

• Brush with a soft bristle.
• Detergent.
• Container or bucket
• sponges and cloths
• Using alcohol to rub.
• Water.

Here’s how you can get rid of the mold:

1. Start by bringing everything outside, if feasible. When you’re indoors, you’re more likely to breathe in spores.
2. Remove any visible spores from the shoes with your soft-bristled brush. A dry, clean towel will suffice if you don’t have a brush.
3. Combine equal amounts of rubbing alcohol and plain, cold water in the bucket or container—for example, one cup of each.
4. Using a clean cloth, saturate the mixture and wipe off each shoe’s surface. For crevices, you may need to use a cotton swab.
5. After that, use a fresh clean cloth and wipe the leather down with simple water.
6. Allow the shoes to air dry in the shade. If you’re cleaning boots, stuff them with paper to keep their form.
7. Make a moderate detergent and warm water solution while the shoes are drying. You can use leather saddle soap if your footwear allows it, but be sure to read the care instructions first.
8. Wipe off the surfaces with the solution using a clean cloth or sponge.
9. Using a cloth and simple water, wipe away any remaining soap residue.
10. Allow your shoes to air dry once more.
11. After they’ve dried, apply a leather conditioner to restore the material’s suppleness. Consult the care directions on your shoes, as well as the conditioner’s brand.

Conclusion

How do you get mold out of your shoes? It’s easy, and depending on your footwear, you may use a variety of approaches. It’s advisable to use mild chemicals like cleaning detergents and vinegar on different types of leather. However, always refer to your brand’s care label.

Mold or mildew-infected shoes must be treated immediately since they can hurt your feet and, if breathed, your respiratory system. When keeping them, use a dehumidifier to keep moisture at bay and clean them often to eradicate spores.

Shoestorenyc hope you found our information useful.