How To Get Mold Out Of Shoes - 2023 Easy Tips

Have you ever stored your shoes in a closet only to find that when you’ve gone to put them on they are covered in mold? It’s never nice to see moldy shoes but I do have solutions for how to get mold out of shoes and make them wearable again.

Here’s what you need to know about removing mold and some of the easiest methods to can use to fix the problem.

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Is Mold On Shoes Dangerous?

Before I start however telling you how to get mold out of shoes I wanted to give a warning.

There are potential dangers from cleaning mold especially if you have an allergy to it or have issues with a compromised immune system. This is because mold can cause an allergic reaction in some people if it is breathed in or cause flu-like symptoms.

I know this from experience as I have an old house which can sometimes cause mold problems. I know if I have been exposed to it because I have a harder time breathing properly (I also have asthma). Whilst my reaction is mild it could be worse if you have more severe asthma or have immune problems.

If you are worried about this then get rid of your shoes and don’t risk your health by trying to remove mold. If you are going to go ahead and clean your shoes mold then think about wearing gloves, overalls, and a specialist mask for safety if you have allergies.

What Causes Mold On Shoes?

If you have moldy shoes then you don’t just need to get rid of the problem you also need to stop it from occurring again.

Mold loves a moist environment which creates a perfect breeding ground for mold to thrive. If you do have mold make sure you also:

Dry Your Shoes Out – When your shoes are wet or sweaty you need to dry them out properly between each use. Let your shoes air dry properly before wearing them again. Shoe dryers are great for helping speed up this process.

Air Circulation – Place your sweaty shoes in an enclosed area with little airflow and you allow fungal growth to thrive.

Wet Humid and Hot Environments – If you live in an area that has these conditions you are more likely to get mold. Dehumidifiers can help or alternatively use silica gel packets and place them in your shoes.

Storage – Don’t store your shoes on top of each other in a small closet when they aren’t properly dried. Use shoe racks that give your footwear room to air.

Clean Your Shoes – Dirt and debris can encourage more mold growth.

There is no point in removing mold spores from your shoes if you don’t also think about how you wear, dry and store your shoes or the problem will just return.

Can Mold Damage Shoes?

Another word of warning don’t procrastinate about getting rid of mold growth from your shoes because if you let it get too out of control it can damage them permanently.

Plus those mold spores can start to spread and not only impact other shoes but anything else that is stored in the same area such as clothing or bags.

The sooner you do something to tackle and prevent mold from recurring the better.

How To Get Rid of Mold On Shoes Using Isopropyl Alcohol

Ok, let’s dive in and talk about the easiest ways there are to deal with your moldy shoes.

My number one favorite technique is to use rubbing alcohol to deal with any mold growth. This was a technique that I discovered not with shoes but when one of my leather sofas started to develop mold after being left in a hot humid room following some plastering.

Rubbing alcohol is a way of getting rid of mold from your shoes and all you need to do is first bring your shoes outside and brush off any of the dry mold growth. Then mix a bowl of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water and either spray it on your shoes or use a white cloth dipped in the solution to kill mold spores. Make sure you test an inconspicuous area first.

When you have finished removing the visible mold get another clean cloth and wipe your shoes down with water. Then allow them to air dry outside.

Rubbing alcohol can dry out the leather so when your shoes are completely dry use a leather conditioner to help increase the suppleness of the leather again.

If your shoes have shoelaces I would recommend removing them completely and throwing them away and buying new ones to make sure that no mold remains to start the problem again.

How To Remove Mold From Shoes Using Vinegar

White vinegar is one of those useful products that I use all the time around the house for cleaning and it can also be used for removing mold from your shoes.

Just get a small bowl and create a mixture of half and half white vinegar and water and mix together. Bring your shoes outside and brush off any visible mold. Then use a clean cloth dipped in the solution and rub away at any mold stains.

When you have finished wipe your shoes with warm water and let them air dry completely outside in the sunshine.

This vinegar solution can leave a bit of an after smell but shoe dryer balls popped in your shoes can eliminate it after a few days.

Clean Your Shoes With Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a great anti-fungal product that you can use to create a cleaning solution.

Simply add one or two teaspoons of the product to a small cup of water and place the mixture in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle and spray it onto your shoes.

You can use a soft toothbrush to scrub away any mold and then use some water to remove any excess product once the tea tree oil has done its job.

Use Lemon Juice In a Cleaning Solution

Lemon juice is another of those universal products that can be great for cleaning around the house and it may also work for your shoes.

I haven’t tested this one myself but plenty of people say that if you mix equal parts of lemon juice with water and spray it on the mold it will kill it. Just wipe the mold from your shoes after you have left the mixture on for at least twenty minutes and then again with cool water and leave to dry.

Don’t forget to test a small area of your shoes first in case it impacts the leather.

How To Get Rid of Mold Inside Shoes

If you have black mold inside shoes that you want to get rid of then my preferred method to remove it is by using the rubbing alcohol method.

To saturate the inside of your shoes think about using the mixture I mentioned and placing it in a spray bottle which you can use to get the product inside the footwear.

If your insoles are removable take them out and spritz them separately. Sometimes it is easier to buy new ones if they are replaceable so that it makes your cleaning efforts easier.

Does Baking Soda Kill Mold in Shoes?

Another household product that can work to kill mold spores is baking soda.

If you are going to use this method all you need to do is take the shoes outside and sprinkle the inside and outside with baking soda and leave it for half an hour to do its work.

When the baking soda has had a chance to kill all the mold vacuum as much of it as you can from your shoes. If there is any leftover use a damp dish cloth to wipe it away and let the shoes air dry outside.

Does Sunlight Kill Mold On Leather Shoes?

I know that many people talk about using sunlight as a way of killing mold on leather shoes and boots however is it really that effective?

Sadly the answer is no it does kill the visible mold but it isn’t going to remove the old mold and mildew from your shoes.

Think about it you put some moldy shoes outside in the sunlight to kill the mold. The mold on the surface of the shoes will be killed but the stains will be still on your shoes and what about any mold in the inside recesses of your shoes?

If you have a mold problem on leather items I would always use the other methods I’ve mentioned to clean it off otherwise you aren’t going to really solve your problem.

How To Get Mold Off Shoes

Learning how to get mold out of shoes isn’t hard when you know the right products to use but remember you need to be thorough when you are cleaning as you don’t want to leave any mold spores behind.

Also, remember that some of these cleaning methods are not suitable for some footwear such as suede shoes. To be safe stick with the rubbing alcohol.

Finally don’t forget that after the shoes have been cleaned you may still need to condition them afterward to prevent them from drying out from the products that you have used.

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