How to Remove Mold from Your Shoes: Restoration and Prevention Tips
Summary: This article explains effective solutions to handle mold on shoes, from understanding its causes and risks to effective mold removal and prevention methods. Mold thrives in moist conditions, so keeping shoes dry using silica gel, tea bags, or dehumidifiers is essential. To remove mold, cleaning with vinegar and sunlight is one of the most effective methods. Addressing mold growth promptly is essential to prevent health issues and further spread within the property.
Introduction
Finding mold on your shoes is never pleasant, it looks unsightly and brings a musty odor. Removing mold promptly is essential to prevent it from spreading to other belongings. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of mold growth on shoes, its potential health risks, effective removal methods, and practical tips to prevent mold from returning.
What Causes Mold to Grow on Shoes?
There are a few reasons why mold may grow on shoes. The following are the main reasons your shoes might become affected:
- Moisture in the shoe: The primary reason mold develops on shoes is lingering moisture that doesn’t fully dry. Whether from rainy weather or sweat during wear, this trapped moisture creates the ideal environment for mold growth. The sole of the shoe is especially susceptible, as it tends to absorb liquid and stays damp longer. To prevent mold, ensure your shoes are thoroughly dry before storing them, especially after getting wet or washing them.
- Presence of moisture in your closet: Shoes can develop mold due to conditions within your own closet. Excess moisture or dampness in the space creates the perfect environment for mold to grow, potentially affecting not just your shoes but other items stored there as well.
- Trapped humidity: If you put your shoes in a plastic bag or another type of sealed container in your closet, you may end up with mold growth on them because this traps humidity.
- Wooden shelves: Storing your shoes on wooden shelves in your closet can lead to mold buildup inside the shoes over time. A simple and effective solution is to switch to wire shelving, which allows for better airflow and prevents moisture accumulation.
Is Mold on Shoes Dangerous?
Moldy shoes are more than just an eyesore—they can pose serious health risks. The bacteria and fungi present in moldy footwear can lead to foot infections and other complications if left untreated.
Additionally, mold on your shoes can spread to your home, potentially causing a larger mold problem. It’s important to address mold on shoes promptly and take proactive steps to prevent it from returning. Don’t underestimate the impact of mold—protect your health and home by tackling it early.
How to Remove Mold from Your Shoes
If you discover mold on your shoes, it’s important to follow a cleaning process tailored to the material. In most cases, harsh chemicals aren’t necessary. Instead, you can effectively remove mold using a brush, a cloth, and white vinegar. Here’s how:
- Start by thoroughly scrubbing off all mold and mildew from the shoes. For safety and cleanliness, it’s best to do this outdoors to prevent mold from spreading indoors. Be sure to wear a mask and gloves for protection throughout the process.
- Once you’ve removed as much mold as possible, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a bucket—about half a cup of each should suffice. Using a clean cloth, gently wipe the shoes with the vinegar solution, continuing until all traces of mold are gone.
- Finally, place the shoes in direct sunlight to dry completely.
This method is not suitable for suede shoes, so be sure to avoid using it on them. Additionally, the process can leave behind a strong odor. To eliminate the smell, finish by cleaning the shoes with soap and water or applying essential oils.
If the mold isn’t fully removed after the first attempt, repeat the process as needed until the mold is gone. However, in some cases, cleaning alone may not be enough to completely eradicate the mold. If that happens, you may need to consider discarding or replacing the shoes. If mold spores spread around the property, it is important to reach out to mold remediation specialists to have the mold completely removed.
Prevention Tips
Although it is possible to remove mold from your shoes after it appears, it is always best to prevent mold in the first place. One way to prevent mold from growing on your shoes is using silica gel packets. Usually, these packets come with new products such as handbags and shoes. When you buy these items, make sure to keep the silica packs and put them in your shoes instead of throwing them out.
Storing your shoes in the closet with a moisture-absorbing solution can help prevent mold and keep them odor-free. If silica gel packets aren’t available, dry tea bags are an effective alternative. Be sure to replace the silica gel or tea bags once they’ve absorbed moisture and feel damp, ensuring continued protection for your shoes.
Another good rule of thumb is to fully dry your shoes before you put them in your closet. Once you’ve taken your shoes off, always make sure to leave them to dry in a well-ventilated area or in the sun. Once they are fully dry, then you can store them as you like. Always make sure to take the insoles out and dry them separately.
Shoes can accumulate moisture throughout the day, especially if they absorb a lot of sweat. To stay comfortable and prevent discomfort, consider carrying an extra pair of socks to change into as needed. If you’re heading to the gym, use a separate pair of shoes specifically for workouts, allowing your other shoe time to dry properly.
For long-term storage, a dehumidifier in your closet can be a game-changer. Removing excess moisture from the air helps prevent mold and keeps your shoes in excellent condition while stored. Always clean your shoes regularly so you can prevent mold from growing in the future.
Professional Mold Removal
Your shoes might be one of the last places you expect to find mold but there is always a risk. Following the prevention tips outlined above can help protect your shoes from mold growth and if they do become affected, there are some simple steps you can follow to help remove the mold. Make sure to check your shoes often for signs of mold, especially if they are stored in a closet. If you do find mold that is beyond your ability to clean up, then it is best to call in the professionals.
Mold remediation professionals have the expertise, tools, and remediation methods to effectively remove mold from anywhere in your home. They will first uncover all mold growth and take the appropriate steps to remove it effectively. They can also often treat belongings that have been damaged by mold, such as shoes. If there is a mold issue in your home, do not hesitate to call a professional for mold remediation before the problem gets worse.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
