How To Prevent And Remove Mold From Leather Shoes
While preparing your shoes for a new season, have you ever suddenly encountered an
unpleasant white coating on the shoes? Yes, you thought right! The mold growth. These molds are found on both leather shoes and plastic footwear.
But what exactly are molds? And how to deal with it and its odor? Read the blog further to learn how to remove odor from leather shoes.
What are molds?
Molds are green or white microorganisms on leather shoes that often appear on the surface when the shoes are not cleaned properly. It only takes one spore to form a chain, so removing mold from the leather shoes as soon as you spot them is crucial. When the molds are not removed quickly, the growth permanently damages the leather shoe's surface, leading to leather discoloration
Why is mold formed on leather shoes?
Have you ever found mold on leather shoes? And got frustrated after seeing the shoe's condition. But what leads to mold growth on your favorite leather shoes? Here are some of the reasons listed below:
1. Moisture
Exposing your leather shoes continuously to moisture leads to mold growth. Mold takes up to 21 days to become visible. When you wear the shoes in the rain or live in a hot and humid climate, mold may get formed on the shoes.
2. Heat
Keep your leather shoes in a cool and dry place. If the leather shoes are kept in plastic bags or other heat-trapped containers, mold will begin to grow on them. If you see mold growth on your leather shoes, clean or dry them as soon as possible and store them in a place with the right ventilation and exposure.
3. Dust
When kept in an open area, the dust in the air affects your shoes, leading to mold growth. And to remove the mold from the leather shoes, use dish soap and warm water for cleaning.
How to remove odor from leather shoes and prevent mold growth?
When you see the fuzzy white coating on your leather shoes, take the shoes outside so that the mold spores do not spread indoors. The first thing you need to do is to get rid of the mold. By following the certain ways, you can remove odor from leather shoes and prevent mold growth:
1. Clean your shoes after use
Naturally, shoes will become soiled after use. Therefore, cleaning your shoes when you get home is an easy, efficient, and basic method to keep them in good condition. Make sure to clean your shoes properly to remove the odor. Cleaning the shoes helps eliminate any spores that can later develop into an unpleasant odor.
2. Store your shoes in a dry area
Keep your shoes in a dry area that is either cool or below room temperature. The approach is better than keeping them in an airtight container since the containers need airflow to maintain dexterity.
3. Wipe your shoes with alcohol
Alcohol works as a tremendous antibacterial agent to remove smell from leather shoes. Dip a piece of cloth in alcohol and clean your shoes to remove mold on shoes.
How to clean moldy leather shoes?
1. Hot water
One of the easiest ways to remove mold from shoes is to wash them in hot water. However, hot water will only remove the mold from your shoes, not the stains on them.
2. Vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda, when mixed, work effectively to remove smell from leather shoes, molds, and stains. Before washing your leather shoes, soak them in a mixture of 2 spoons of baking soda and 1 spoon of white vinegar in a bucket filled with hot water.
3. Bleach
Fill a bottle with a mixture of bleach and water. Spray the mixture on your leather shoes. Make sure you cover the mold-affected area completely. Leave the solution for 5 to 10 minutes to remove odor from leather shoes.
How often do you clean moldy leather shoes?
Whenever you switch wardrobes and there is a seasonal change, you need to clean your leather shoes in an open atmosphere.
Some helpful tips on how to remove odor from leather boots
Leather looks great when you wear it in the form of footwear. But sometimes, it becomes difficult to keep it in its original form.
No matter how much you love your favorite leather boots, mold can pop up anywhere on the boot’s surface by making your boots smell stinky. Following the tips below on how to remove odor from leather boots can help you to get back your boot’s original condition.
1. Borax
Borax has various properties to eliminate odor and mold from leather boots. Borax crystals work to stifle the odor caused due to bacteria. Mix one cup of borax with water in a spray bottle, and spray the mixture on the mold-affected area. Wipe the boots with a clean cloth and let them dry in an open area. Borax kills mold spores by turning up the pH levels.
2. Baby shampoo
You can remove mold from leather shoes by dipping a damp cloth in the baby shampoo and lathering it on the leather shoes. However, after cleaning the leather shoes with the baby shampoo, you need to apply a leather shoe moisturizer to protect the shoes from any future damage.
3. Nylon Brush
With the help of a nylon brush, start gently scrubbing the surface of the leather shoes. When cleaning the surface, use a vacuum cleaner to clean them from the inside.
Why is GloveStix a good solution to remove mold on shoes, and how is it beneficial?
GloveStix is the perfect solution to remove the smell from leather shoes. When you place the product in leather shoes, its deodorizers reduce the odor and bacterial growth by eliminating the mold on your leather shoes.
GloveStix is useful in fighting odor and works well on smelly gear like gloves, shoes, and boots. It is ideal for cleaning boxing gloves and other footwears.
The GloveStix product is effective and non-toxic. The patented silver ion antimicrobial technology in the Stix removes odor from leather shoes.
If you are looking for a trustworthy product to remove odor from leather boots, please visit our website to shop for various GloveStix products.
Conclusion
Whether it is your leather shoes, clothes, or machine tools, it is important to keep the mold away from your useful items. The ways mentioned above to prevent mold growth on your leather shoes helps to restore the original structure of your leather shoes. By following these ways, you will surely recognize the authentic form of the shoes within a few days.