Mold is an unpleasant but private surprise. It appears from improper storage, constant humidity, and “infection” of shoes from each other. Mold is a fungus and is also dangerous to humans. Spores easily contaminate surrounding surfaces, penetrate the respiratory tract and remain on the skin, causing diseases. We will look at options on how to remove mold from shoes so as not to throw away a pair. Treatment is necessary not only to restore the appearance, but also, above all, for sanitation.
Features of caring for shoes made of suede and nubuck
If you are removing mold from suede or nubuck shoes, limit yourself to dry cleaning. Such products cannot be treated with vinegar and alcohol. If after cleaning with a stiff brush there are still mold stains on the boots, then use special suede cleaning products. Use them according to the instructions on the package.
If the problem persists, repeat the previous steps. Brush the shoes again, first with a stiff nylon brush and then with suede cleaner.
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If your shoes are made of regular leather, you can use vinegar or isopropyl alcohol after dry cleaning.
Where does mushroom mycelium come from?
Particularly annoying is mold found on holiday or weekend shoes while you are getting ready for a celebration. Having opened the treasured box, you suddenly feel an unusual, unpleasant smell, and then notice accumulations of a fluffy substance at the joints of the seams and on the decorative details.
Some of those who find themselves in a similar situation quickly get out of the awkward situation. Having used anti-fungal shoe spray, they quickly solve problems with their appearance and, closing the topic, go to the planned event, without thinking about where the threads of pathogenic mycelium come from.
More prudent citizens do not remove the issue of mold from the agenda. Because if it appears in a shoe closet, it means that the mycelium is already living in the house and, if you miss the moment, the mold will quickly and imperceptibly capture the entire living space and begin to take away the vitality of the household.
We recommend reading: Why is mold dangerous to your health? (What damage can it cause).
How to prevent mold
Once the stains have been removed, mold must be prevented from forming again. To do this, shoes must be kept dry. Change your shoes periodically to give them a chance to dry after wearing them.
You can put silica gel in your shoes. It will absorb excess moisture. You can also sprinkle baking soda or salt into your shoes. These substances also have moisture-absorbing properties.
It is necessary to remove moisture from the shoe closet. Place a dehumidifier or a bowl of charcoal briquettes in it. This will help you maintain a dry climate in your closet.
Methods of disposal
You can get rid of mold in shoes using chemicals that were developed specifically to combat fungal microflora. But such substances are not suitable for all materials. Some of them can ruin your shoes. An alternative option is folk methods of struggle. They also cope well with mold fungi.
Ammonia or vodka
To get rid of the smell of mold and its traces on shoes, you can use a pharmaceutical product such as an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide. A piece of cloth or cotton wool is moistened with ammonia and the entire surface is treated. It is recommended to work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, as... the substance used has a pungent odor. Ammonia should not be used to treat the outside of leather shoes. After 3-4 hours, remove excess moisture with a dry cloth, and then dry the boots completely.
Shoes can be cleaned of mold with vodka. It is important to remember that alcohol can have a negative effect on natural materials. It is recommended to put vodka in a spray bottle and spray the product well. After a few hours, you should put a towel or crumpled paper in the shoe or boot. These materials will absorb excess vodka. After complete drying, you can put the shoes in the closet for storage.
Bagged green tea
If your shoes smell like mold, you can eliminate the smell with tea bags (dry). They should be placed in shoes, as well as under insoles. The bags absorb both odors and moisture well. Therefore, they can be used after each shoe wear to remove remaining foot sweat.
Hydrogen peroxide
You can remove the smell of mold from shoes with another pharmaceutical product. Hydrogen peroxide has antiseptic properties, so its use can destroy not only the unpleasant odor, but also the fungus.
For work, you can use a 3% solution. The inside of the product is generously moistened with peroxide and left for 12 hours. When the time is up, you should wipe the surface with a sponge, remove any remaining moisture with a dry cloth and leave the steam in the fresh air. If the weather does not allow drying the product outside, you can use special electric dryers.
Ground coffee
Natural coffee will help get rid of the smell of dampness and other unpleasant aromas. The grains are crushed and the resulting powder is poured into the product. After a day, the coffee will completely absorb the unpleasant odor.
Activated carbon
If, after removing traces of mold, an unpleasant odor remains, you can try to eliminate it with an absorbent agent. Activated carbon works well for this purpose. A pack of pharmaceutical sorbent must be crushed, and then the powder must be poured inside the product. Activated carbon should be left in the shoes until the unpleasant odor disappears. In most cases this takes about 24 hours. You can remove the powder with a vacuum cleaner.
Soda
Baking soda works well against fungal microflora. The inner surface is evenly treated with it, and then the shoes are placed in a bag and tied. After 24 hours, sodium bicarbonate can be removed. A vacuum cleaner will help get rid of white marks and product residues.
Freezing shoes
Cold will help solve the problem with unpleasant odor. After cleaning and drying, the product can be placed in the refrigerator and left for 12-14 hours. An alternative method is ventilation; the shoes are left in the open air at sub-zero temperatures.
Silicogel
If a musty smell appears in your boots, you can quickly get rid of it using the dry method. For this, silica gel is used. It consists of peas made from dried polysilicic acid gel. Solid absorbent absorbs moisture and odors well. You should put several sachets of this chemical in your boots and leave them until the product dries completely.
Silicogel can be used without fear for your health, because... it does not release any toxic substances.
Wash
Washing is a universal method of combating unpleasant odors and dirt. It is recommended to resort to this method of cleaning shoes only as a last resort. Not all materials are able to retain their properties after contact with water and detergent. The shoe may come apart, change color, lose shape, etc.
To get rid of the smell of mold on shoes, but not spoil the product, you should give preference to the hand washing method. When you decide to use an automatic machine, it is recommended to avoid high temperatures and spin cycles.
Some shoes, such as sneakers or moccasins, can be safely placed in the washing machine drum. Manufacturers inform that cleaning in this way is possible and harmless to the product. The information can be placed on a label that is attached to the shoe. Additionally, you should pay attention to the recommended temperature conditions.
Preventive measures
To avoid infection with mycosis, a number of basic rules should be followed.
- maintain personal hygiene. It consists of regularly washing your feet in warm water using antibacterial soap;
- keep your feet dry and cool, since high humidity and warmth are an ideal environment for reproduction;
- do not walk barefoot in public places;
- choose the right shoes. It is advisable to choose from natural materials, avoid trying on bare feet in the store;
- carry out regular disinfection of all boots, sandals, shoes;
- the use of special preparations that will prevent the fungus from penetrating the skin.
All these measures taken together will reduce the risk of infection with mycosis to a minimum.
Causes of trouble
There are two main reasons that can lead to an unpleasant odor:
- If a person wears shoes that do not allow air to pass through . These could be sneakers, cheap shoes made from low-quality glue, faux fur or other synthetic materials.
- Presence of fungus .
These two reasons are interconnected. Low-quality shoes create a “greenhouse effect.” It is necessary to give preference to leather shoes that allow air to pass through.
Disinfection of shoes during pregnancy
During pregnancy, treatment should be carried out with caution. For disinfection, carefully select the product. The drug must have a pronounced antifungal and antimicrobial effect. The medicine must achieve the desired effect in a short time. All drugs must be safe for both the woman and the fetus.
Thermikon and bifosin sprays can be distinguished. Thermikon is a colorless liquid with a specific odor. Prevents the spread of infection. The duration of treatment is about a month. Bifosin has the advantage that it does not enter the general human bloodstream.
A doctor must prescribe a specific medicine. It is not recommended to use any product on your own. This can negatively affect the woman's condition or have a negative effect on the fetus. When disinfecting, the substance must be selected taking into account the specific type of fungus.
Equipment for disinfection at home
Before you start processing shoes, you need to prepare. To disinfect at home, you need to purchase the necessary equipment.
- Hand gloves and face mask. Some products have a very strong odor and can be highly toxic. To avoid burns to mucous membranes and skin, you need to use gloves and a mask.
- Choose the appropriate product: chemical solution or antifungal agent. The method of disinfection depends on the choice of medicine. It is important to remember that chemical solutions are highly toxic and can damage the surface being treated. After use, you need to thoroughly air out your shoes.
- Antifungal agents achieve good results in complex therapy. Easy to apply to the surface to be treated, non-toxic.
- Cotton pads. They are soaked in the solution and placed inside the shoes.
- Packages. It is important to select bags according to size so that boots fit completely in them and the bag can be tightly closed.
Getting rid of the enemies of suede: dirt and salt
Ultraviolet devices
Some chemicals have a detrimental effect on the condition of the processed products, which is why they have been replaced by devices with UV radiation, offering complete disposal of spores.
Hot ultraviolet rays destroy all types of fungal spores. Soon only ultraviolet light will be used in the treatment of nail fungus and shoe treatment!
