how to clean Mold Off Shoes
Mold on your shoes doesn’t mean you have to throw them away — with a few easy steps, you can get them back in great condition.
Even if your shoes are infested with mold, getting them back in good condition is easy. Sometimes, a simple shoe wash can restore them. However, for stubborn mold, a solution of rubbing alcohol, baking soda, and vinegar can work well. According to shoe cleaning expert Marc Segal: Think twice about throwing away your mold-infested shoes. Brush them thoroughly with a shoe brush or toothbrush. Make a solution of rubbing alcohol or vinegar with water, and clean them with this solution. Air-dry your shoes, or place them in the sun if necessary.
Some precautions cannot be avoided in this simple advice. Again, the process of removing mold is slightly different for shoes made of delicate materials such as running shoes, leather shoes, or suede. Don’t worry, this article is organized step-by-step to remove mold from your shoes, and Raminify is happy to help you. Let’s learn how to clean mold off shoes step-by-step.
Preparing Your Shoes for Mold Removal
1. Wear rubber gloves and a mask before cleaning mold.
Mold can spread from your shoes to your body, so keep yourself safe by not touching mold with your bare hands. Mold spores can cause health problems like coughing and allergies, so wear a mask to protect yourself. If you’re using dish soap, detergent, or vinegar when cleaning mold, regular household rubber gloves are enough to keep you safe. However, if you’re working with bleach, consider natural rubber gloves or PVC gloves to protect your skin.
- After cleaning, wash reusable gloves or masks thoroughly in warm, soapy water, as the fungus can spread from gloves and masks to other areas.
- If gloves and masks are not reusable, throw them away to avoid spreading the fungus elsewhere.
2. Remove removable laces and insoles from shoes.
If your shoes are heavily infested with fungus, it can also spread to the insoles and laces. Removing them makes it easier to clean your shoes more thoroughly. Soak the laces and insoles in a solution of water and detergent for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Consider cleaning your fungus-affected shoes outdoors or in a place where there is no risk of spreading the fungus.
Identifying Mold on Your Shoes
Marc Segal says: How to clean mold off shoes? Before you know the answer to this question, it’s important to identify mold in shoes. If you can identify the color and type of mold, it’s easier to clean your shoes as soon as they’re infested.
Mold in shoes isn’t always obvious at first glance. In the early stages, it can look like specks of white, green, gray, or even black dust scattered across various areas of the shoe. As the fungus grows, it often takes on a fuzzy or slightly slimy appearance, giving the shoe material an uneven, mottled look. You may also notice a strong, musty odor—a clear warning sign before you see anything. Pay special attention to areas like the tongue, seams, and insoles, where moisture tends to accumulate.
Sometimes, dirt or dust from regular wear can be mistaken for mold, but mold usually spreads in a hidden, patchy pattern rather than sticking to a clean area. Mold shows up a little differently on leather, suede, and fabric shoes, but one thing is for sure: Once you notice discoloration, a strange texture, a musty smell, or that earthy odor, it’s time to take action quickly. It’s easy to save your favorite shoes if you clean up the mold quickly.
How to Clean Mold from Running Shoes
1. Brush off mold and loose dirt with a brush before washing your shoes.
Use a shoe brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the entire shoe, including the mold and loose dirt. Pay special attention to the hidden areas of your shoes where mold can hide. A toothbrush is good for cleaning shoes because it can reach places a shoe brush can’t.
- You can also use a microfiber cloth instead of a brush,
- or use a vacuum cleaner to clean any mold that has accumulated on your shoes.
2. Wash your shoes, laces, and insoles with water and rubbing alcohol.
Mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol in a bowl. Soak a clean sponge in the solution and rub the shoes in a circular motion to get rid of any remaining mold. Rewet the sponge as soon as it dries. Continue working until all mold is removed from your shoes, insoles, and laces. You can also wash the entire shoe with water and detergent if you want.
- You can use a toothbrush or a cloth instead of a sponge.
3. Let the shoes, laces, and insoles air dry.
Marc Segal says the best way to dry shoes is to let them air dry away from sunlight, as the heat of the sun can damage the shoe material. However, you can leave your fungus-infected shoes in the sun for a while, or if you don’t want to risk damaging them, you can air dry them indoors, which is a great way to kill fungus.
- To speed up the drying process, stuff as much newspaper inside your shoes as possible. Newspapers help maintain the shape of your shoes, absorb moisture, and also help deodorize them.
- If your shoes’ label says they’re dryer-safe, it’s fine to put them in the dryer on the lowest setting.
Caution: White shoes may have ink stains or marks from the newspaper. Use a microfiber towel inside your white shoes instead.
How to Clean Mold from Suede Shoes
Suede shoes are very attractive because of their fine, fuzzy texture. However, improper cleaning methods can damage them. Marc Segal says: Although suede shoes can be cleaned without suede cleaner, it is better to use suede cleaner when cleaning mold off shoes. A mixture of vinegar and water can clean mold from suede, but you should not soak the entire shoe in water. Sometimes, you can clean mold simply by rubbing the suede with a rubber eraser. Anyway, let’s learn how to clean mold off shoes
1. Rub the mold back and forth with a suede brush. Quickly move the suede brush back and forth over the stain. Continue brushing until the mold is removed. If the mold remains faint after brushing, don’t worry; it will disappear in the next steps.
2. Rub with a dull knife to remove any areas the brush can’t reach. Take a butter knife and gently drag the edge of the knife across the grain in areas where the suede brush can’t reach, being careful not to touch the undamaged part of your shoe. If you don’t have a knife, you can try using a plastic razor or an emery board.
3. Use a suede eraser to remove stubborn mold stains.
Gently rub the eraser in a circular motion over the stubborn mold stains, avoiding applying too much force. When you’re done, gently scrub the fabric with a suede brush again.
You can use a pencil eraser instead of a suede eraser, but it’s not as effective.
In general, suede erasers are great for:
- Watermarks
- Salt stains
- Water-based stains
- Mold stains
4. Remove salt stains with a little white vinegar. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water (1/4 cup of each should be enough) and gently scrub the stain with a sponge or toothbrush. Vinegar also works well for colored stains like wine or chocolate, though it doesn’t do much for mud or oil.
5. Give your shoes a new lease of life with suede dye.
Marc Segal says: Dye will help to remove uneven stains from your shoes and give them a new look. But your shoes must be 100% pure suede. If they’re partially synthetic, it won’t work.
Use an applicator tool to apply the dye to your shoes. These are usually cotton balls attached to a piece of wire.
Marc Segal says: Whatever brush you use instead of an applicator tool should have stiff bristles that can reach every little corner of the suede.
Dip the brush into the dye, and let the excess dye drip into the container. Massage the dye into the suede in a smooth, circular motion. Apply until you have covered the entire shoe. Once you have finished dyeing the entire shoe, let the shoes air out for at least 24 hours. Avoid touching the shoes during this time.
How to Clean Mold from leather Shoes
1. Sweep away any mold on your shoes using a brush or cloth. Take the shoes outside or clean them in a place where mold spores cannot enter your home. Then, scrub the mold stains with a soft brush or clean cloth. If the mold is too stubborn to rub off, soak the cloth in warm water and scrub again.
- Use a brush or cloth that you can throw away after use, as the mold can spread. Marc Segal says: A great tool for scrubbing is an old toothbrush, which is easy to throw away when you’re done.
2. Treat the fungus with water and rubbing alcohol. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a bowl. Dip a cotton cloth, microfiber cloth, or a toothbrush in the solution. Then gently wipe the moldy areas, wiping the entire shoe from top to bottom if you want. Marc Segal says: Leather shoes are not meant to be soaked in water. However, wiping them with a mild soap will help to prevent this minor damage later in the cleaning, polishing, and conditioning process. He recommends never polishing dirty shoes and recommends using a horsehair brush for scrubbing shoes.
3. Clean the shoes with leather cleaner or saddle soap. Dip the brush or cloth lightly in water, then apply soap to the cloth and rub the shoes in a circular motion. As the foam builds up, you will notice that the color of the shoes will appear slightly lighter. Rub the shoes until the leather is dry and pliable.
- Buy a kit to maintain your leather shoes. A good kit will have almost everything you need, including cleaner, conditioner, filler, and an applicator.scrubbing shoes.
4. Immediately wipe off the cleaner with a clean cloth. Use another cotton or microfiber cloth to immediately wipe off the foam or water. Continue buffing the shoes in a circular motion until the dirt is completely removed.
5. Use shoe polish to improve the appearance of your shoes. Try to choose a polish that matches the color of your shoes. Wrap a clean cloth around your second and third fingers. Then apply the polish to your fingertips and buff the leather in a circular motion. Work all parts of the shoe in the same way so that the leather looks the same everywhere. When you are finished, let the shoes air out for 15 to 30 minutes.
6. Use conditioner to restore the suppleness and natural oils of leather shoes. Choose a conditioner that is closest in color to your shoe, and apply an even, thin layer of conditioner to the entire shoe with the tip of your finger. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, buffing with a clean cloth if necessary. Apply conditioner to your shoes at least once a week.
Why use conditioner?
- Keeps leather soft and supple.
- Prevents cracking.
- Restores the natural oils of the sole.
- Extends the life of your shoes.
keep your shoes mold free
1. Wear socks with shoes, and avoid wearing wet socks. Many shoes do not have good breathability, so the feet sweat in the heat, and this sweat enters the gaps between the feet and the shoes, creating moisture. We know that the main cause of mold is moisture. A good pair of cotton socks will absorb the sweat from your feet, keeping your shoes dry. However, do not wear the same pair of socks every day. Use at least two pairs of socks per week.
2. When storing shoes, stuff them with shoe trees, especially cedar shoe trees. If you have leather or suede shoes, stuff them with shoe trees when storing them or every day when you get home. Shoe trees not only keep the shape of the shoes but also absorb moisture, and cedar shoe trees work especially well.
- You may want to know how to use shoe trees—it is easy. You can find out by looking at the instructions that come with the shoe trees.
3. Wear at least two pairs of shoes per week in a cycle, and take care of your shoes. Your shoes are on your feet all day and deal with water, dirt, and mud, so they need to be given a rest. Also, take care of your shoes. Clean your shoes after every 20 to 25 wears. If you only have one pair of shoes, brush them after wearing them each day. You can keep a horsehair shoe brush in your shoe rack and regularly brush the dust off your shoes. This small task will greatly extend the life of your shoes.
- You can use a toothbrush instead of a shoe brush to clean your shoes.
4. Let your wet shoes air dry. After daily use, your shoes may have accumulated moisture from water or sweat, or you may have washed them. There are many ways to dry your shoes quickly, but it is best to air dry them away from the sun or any artificial heat. If your shoes take 12 hours to dry naturally, you should let them dry completely. If your shoes stay wet, they will start to smell before mold develops.
- If you have nothing to lose with your shoes, you can keep your worn-out shoes in the sun.
5. Store your shoes in a clean mesh bag. Consider using a mesh bag when you decide to store your shoes for a long time. Mesh bags help keep shoes dry, and synthetic ones are breathable. Mesh bags can be easily purchased at a laundry store or online. If you want to store your shoes in a shoe rack or wardrobe, make sure the space is clean.
What Causes Mold on Shoes?
One of the main causes of fungus in shoes is moisture buildup in the shoes. Marc Segal says: When you put your shoes away after the last time you wore them, the moisture from your feet may have remained in the shoes, or the shoes may not have dried completely after washing them. Fungus can grow in a little moisture, which can slowly spread.
To prevent this, pay attention to whether your shoes are completely dry after washing them, and after walking around in them, especially the insoles, leave them in the sun for a while.
Another possible cause is that the fungus is already in the shoe storage area. Wherever your shoes are stored, in your closet or shoe rack, moisture, dampness, or dirt can cause fungus to spread.
To prevent this, clean the area with water and detergent, or spray the area with an all-purpose cleaner spray.
Finally, Marc Segal says: Before you know how to clean mold off shoes, you need to know how mold got on your shoes because the fungus can spread to everyday objects, which can put your health at risk.
Can I use bleach to remove mold from my shoes?
Expert Answer How do I prevent mold from coming back after cleaning my shoes?
Expert Answer Is it okay to wash moldy shoes in the washing machine?
Expert Answer What should I do if the mold smell doesn’t go away after cleaning?
Expert Answer After cleaning, sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes and let it sit overnight. It helps absorb odors. You can also place the shoes in sunlight for a few hours (if the material allows) to help kill odor-causing bacteria.
How do I know when mold has damaged the shoes beyond repair?
Expert Answer What you'll need
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About This Article
Co-authored by:
Co-authors: 11
Updated: April 29, 2025
Marc Segal
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
March 22, 2025
“Many thanks to Raminify and author Marc Segal. This article helped save my $300 suede shoes.”
