Have you ever had a problem with mold growing on your boots and leather shoes? To deal with moldy shoes, it is necessary to remove the mold on the surface and inside. You can also use baking soda to remove mold from boots and leather shoes. We will introduce in detail how to take care of it and how to prevent mold.
What causes mold on boots and leather shoes?
Do you know the environment where mold on boots and leather shoes grows? We will introduce the conditions of boots and leather shoes that cause mold. Let’s take a closer look at what causes mold to grow.
“Temperature and humidity” that cause mold
Boots and leather shoes must be careful of temperature and humidity. Mold grows when the temperature is between 20°C and 30°C. Also, pay attention to humidity. Storing wet leather shoes on rainy days when the humidity is over 80% creates a situation where mold can grow.
Dirt that causes mold
Dust and dirt on shoes can also cause mold. Even if you can’t see it, dust and dirt adhere to the used leather shoes and boots. Dust and dirt also serve as nutrients for the growth of mold, which causes mold to grow on boots and leather shoes. Also, the cream you use for care will be a favorite nutrient for mold. Mildew requires diligent cleaning of the entire shoe and the inside.
Caveats of mold
- Mold grows at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C
- Be careful when the humidity reaches 80%
- Remove dust and dirt and store
Types of mold that grow on boots and leather shoes
Depending on the type of mold that grows on your boots and shoes, you may not be able to remove it yourself. Treat according to the type of mold.
“White mold” that can remove mold
It is “white mold” and “green mold” that can deal with moldy shoes. The characteristic of white mold looks like fluffy dust. It is a mold that is easy to grow in buildings and food. The characteristic of green mold is a green mold that looks a little whitish. It is a mold that can be seen when mold occurs in food such as bread and fruits. Mildew and green mold are also likely to occur in damp, damp places.
Leave the removal of red mold and black mold to the professionals
Unlike white mold and green mold, “red mold” and “black mold” are difficult to remove by yourself. Mildew and green mold can often be treated because they have not penetrated the inside of the shoe, but red and black mold may have penetrated into the shoe. In some cases, mold remains and cannot be completely removed, so take it to a specialty shop such as a shoe cleaning shop.
Two points to note when removing mold from boots and leather shoes
There are some things to be careful about when removing mold. Boots and leather shoes cannot be washed like sneakers. Let’s take care of the boots and leather shoes, paying attention to the precautions of mold removal.
Do not wash with water
Sneakers and other shoes should be washed with water to remove dirt if they become dirty. Boots and leather shoes cannot be washed with water even if they get dirty. This is because the wetness encourages the growth of mold. Even if you want to wash it with water, take appropriate measures and take care of it.
How to use the alcohol disinfectant spray
Alcohol sanitizing spray is also available as a spray specifically for leather shoes. You can also remove mold using ethanol (ethyl alcohol) that can be purchased at drugstores.
- Apply a few drops of alcohol disinfectant spray to a cotton pad.
- Gently rub a cotton pad to gently remove the conspicuous areas where mold is growing.
- Carefully wipe the entire shoe with an alcohol disinfectant spray.
- Clean the inside of the shoe with an alcohol-based disinfectant.
- Thoroughly clean the soles with alcohol
How to care for boots and leather shoes
It is important to take care of your shoes on a daily basis in order to prevent the growth of mold and improve the comfort of your shoes. I will show you how to take care of your boots and leather shoes.
Basic care method
This is the basic care method for boots and leather shoes. You can also purchase the items you prepare at shoe stores and online stores. We also sell sets, so let’s arrange the tools that suit you. The key is to follow the basic steps.
what to prepare
- shoe tree
- Horse hair brush (dirt and dust removal)
- Pig hair brush (for applying cream)
- clean cloth (glove cloth)
- leather shoe cleaner
- cream for leather shoes
- shoe cream
- shoe polish
- water repellent spray
procedure
- Use a horsehair brush to remove dirt
- Apply leather shoe cleaner to a cloth and spread it thinly.
- Use a new cloth to remove any dirt from the leather shoe cleaner.
- Take shoe cream on a cloth and apply it to the whole (same color as leather shoes)
- Blend with a pig bristle brush
- Use shoe polish to add shine
- Apply a finishing polish with a cloth (glove cloth)
- Finally, apply a water-repellent spray and you’re done.
How to take care of it when it gets wet in the rain
Here’s how to take care of your boots and leather shoes when they get wet due to sudden rain. Leaving wet boots or leather shoes can encourage the growth of mold. Proper care will prevent mildew.
- Remove rain and dirt from the surface
- Stuff the inside of the shoes with newspaper to dry.
- Let the shoes dry before brushing
- If there are white stains (salt spray), wipe them off with shoe cleaner.
- Use leather shoe cream to add shine
- Finally, use a water repellent spray
How to remove mold from boots and leather shoes
We will introduce what to prepare and the procedure for how to remove mold from boots and leather shoes. There are basic mold removal methods, methods using baking soda, and methods using special cleaners. We have also summarized the mold removal of suede shoes, so please try to remove the mold that suits you.
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basic mold removal
The basic mold removal method is to use alcohol disinfectant spray, cream, and waterproof spray for leather shoes. For those who take care of leather shoes for the first time, you can easily take care of them by using a dedicated leather shoes.
what to prepare
- Prepare several unused cloths (cotton material)
- Alcohol sanitizing spray for leather shoes
- cotton swabs
- cream for leather shoes
- waterproof spray for leather shoes
- Garbage bag (plastic bag)
procedure
- Remove the laces from boots and leather shoes and clean the laces with an alcohol disinfectant spray.
- Use a cloth to remove mold from the entire leather shoe and inside
- Soak a cotton pad in alcohol disinfectant spray for leather shoes and wipe the entire surface.
- After cleaning with alcohol disinfection, dry the leather shoes
- After drying, use leather shoe cream for basic care.
- Spray a waterproof spray on your shoes to prevent dirt and mold.
Even with an alcohol disinfectant spray for leather shoes, test it on the surface and inside before using it.
How to deal with mold removal cleaner
For those who are concerned about stains and discoloration when removing mold from boots and leather shoes, we recommend using a mold removal cleaner. Mold removal cleaner is a mold removal method that is different from alcohol disinfection spray. After checking the procedure, let’s start removing mold from leather shoes.
- Moisten a towel, etc. with a mildew remover and then remove the mildew.
- If the mold cannot be removed at once, use the mold removal cleaner again after 2 to 3 days to remove it.
- After that, do some basic care
How to treat with baking soda
Baking soda (sodium carbonate) is useful not only for water stains and oil stains, but also for mold removal. Baking soda has a bacteriostatic effect that suppresses the growth of mold, and it can also suppress the spread of mold and prevent the growth of mold. See below for how to remove mold with baking soda.
what to prepare
- leather shoe brush
- clean cloth
- alcohol disinfectant spray
- baking soda
- newspaper
- leather shoe cleaner
- leather shoe cream
procedure
- Remove dirt from the surface of leather shoes with a brush
- Rub the entire shoe with a damp cloth and a little baking soda to remove dirt.
- Use an alcohol disinfectant spray to clean the entire shoe, including the inside.
- let it dry for 2-3 days
- Remove dirt with a cleaner for leather shoes (apply the cleaner thinly)
- Finally, apply cream for leather shoes to the whole
How to remove mildew from suede shoes
Dirt on suede shoes is difficult to remove, and since they are delicate, they need to be cared for in the same way as leather shoes. However, you need a special brush for suede. Brushes made specifically for suede are made from crude rubber.
what to prepare
- suede brush
- clean cloth
- alcohol disinfectant spray
- waterproof spray
- newspaper
procedure
- Remove dirt with a suede brush
- Spray alcohol disinfectant spray all over to remove dirt
- For suede shoes, use alcohol only to remove mildew and stains.
- Wipe with water with a tightly wrung cloth
- Stuff with newspaper and dry for 2-3 days (dry in the shade)
- Finish with a waterproof spray
Prevention of mold on boots and leather shoes
It is necessary to prevent mold before it grows, rather than taking care of it after mold has grown. Let’s see what kind of mold prevention measures are available.
Prevention of mold (1) Remove dirt
To prevent mold, the first step is to remove dirt. The used shoes have dirt such as dust on them. Make a habit of brushing your shoes after every use.
Prevention of mold (2) Storage after drying
After using your shoes, don’t put them back in the clog box immediately and let them dry. If you put them back in the clog box, the sweat on the inside of the shoes is one of the causes of mold growth. The key is to let it dry for a day or two before storing it.
Prevention of mold ③Ventilation once a month
Even if your shoes are dry, the accumulation of moisture in the clog box can cause mold to grow. Ventilate the shoe cupboard at least once a month by opening the door of the shoe cupboard. During times of high humidity, such as the rainy season, it is a good idea to use a dehumidifier to prevent humidity.
Prevention of mold ④Keep the storage area clean
Dust also feeds mold, so it is necessary to clean it regularly and keep it clean. It is also recommended that you change the storage location according to the season and store it in a place that does not trap moisture.
Prevention of mold (5) Frequency of use of boots and leather shoes
By reducing the frequency of use of boots and leather shoes, it leads to the prevention of mold. Rotate between frequently used shoes, infrequently used shoes, and infrequently used shoes. The reason your favorite shoes wear out so quickly is because the damage accumulates with frequent use. In order to use it for a long time, it is recommended to use it once every two days.
summary
In order to prevent mold from growing on your valuable boots and leather shoes, daily care is required. Please try the basic care method and what to do when mold has grown.