How to Remove Mold Stains from Shoes

Step One

Before trying any product to remove mold stains from your shoes, you should first brush them. Take a soft bristle brush or an old rag and scrub the stains. Do this process outdoors or with a garbage bag underneath to prevent mold from falling onto the floor of your home.

Step Two

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If the stains continue, you should apply products depending on the fabric of the shoe. To remove mold stains from leather shoes, the first thing you will have to do is dry the moisture. To do this, place your moldy shoes outside, if possible, in a place where it is in sunlight, or blow it with cold air from a hair dryer to remove the moisture from the leather.

Next, mix white vinegar and water in equal parts. Take a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth, dampen it in the mixture, and rub the mold stains on your leather shoes in circular motions. With another clean cloth, remove any remaining solution and let the shoes dry. The vinegar will also eliminate the bad smell caused by mold.

Step Four

Alcohol is another very effective product for removing mold stains from your leather shoes. Mix equal parts alcohol and water, dampen a clean cloth in the solution, or a soft sponge. Rub the stains carefully and patiently so that the mold absorbs all the liquid and can be easily removed.

Then, dampen another clean cloth in water, remove the remaining solution, and apply a little moisturizer for delicate skin, such as that of babies, to maintain the leather.

For suede or suede shoes with mold stains, it is best not to use liquid products because they could damage the fabric. Thus, perform step 1 in the opposite direction of the hair. Rub the entire shoe to avoid creating lighter rings.

Step Six

Using an eraser is a simple home remedy for erasing superficial mold stains off suede shoes. After brushing, take an eraser and rub the mold stains. If the mold stains are intense and persist on your suede shoes, it is best to purchase specific products for this fabric due to its delicacy and follow the said product's instructions.

Step Seven

To remove mold stains from cloth shoes, such as canvas, you can prepare a solution with 1 tablespoon of baking soda per 1 liter of water and a little mild soap. Mix everything well, take a soft bristle brush and moisten it with the homemade preparation.

Rub the mold stains in circular motions and rinse the shoe with cold water. To prevent the shoe from becoming deformed, put the newspaper inside, and let them dry in a place where the air runs and does not reach the sunlight or direct heat.

Step Eight

Another way to remove mold stains from cloth shoes is by mixing 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with a little salt to form a paste. Cover mold stains with this homemade solution and leave it to sit for 2-3 hours outside. After a time, mix a little detergent with water, moisten a soft bristle brush, and clean the lemon-salt mixture. To remove the detergent residue, dampen a clean cloth in water and rub the cloth shoes. Then let them dry as in the previous step.

Step Nine

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For shoes with delicate fabrics such as satin or velvet, the most advisable thing, as is the case with suede, is to remove mold stains with specific products for delicate fabrics. However, you can check out how to clean satin shoes and velvet shoes first to try a few homemade tricks. And if your clothes were also stained with mold, you can see how to remove mold stains from clothes.

More Tips

• Wear a mask to avoid inhaling mold spores.

Adapted and translated by The Cop Cart Staff

Sources: Uncomo