How to Get Mold & Mildew Off Clothes & Leather Shoes

Mold spores travel through the air all the time and we never even notice them. As they land on organic matter outside and begin to decompose things, we still may not even notice. But when mold spores come into our homes and attempt to decompose our belongings, that's when we may notice. Mold and mildew resemble a fuzzy greenish substance. Together dampness and darkness are very appealing to mold spores that will more than likely pay you a visit if you store any of your belongings in this environment.

Things You'll Need

• Soft clean cloth
• Nylon brush
• Lemon juice
• Table salt
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Antifungal soap
• Fan
• Leather polish

Instructions

Remove Mold and Mildew from Clothes

1. Take the clothes outside and brush away as much mold as possible with a clean cloth or nylon brush.

2. Lay the clothing flat with the affected area facing up.

3. Squeeze lemon juice over the stained area to saturate it.

4. Sprinkle table salt over the dampened area and rub it into the stain with a clean cloth.

5. Leave the garment outside in the sunshine for two to three hours.

6. Rinse the garment under cool clean running water to check to see if the stain is gone. If it isn't, apply the lemon juice and salt and allow it to soak in the sun until the stain is no longer visible.

7. Launder the garment as usual once the stain is gone.

Remove Mold and Mildew from Leather Shoes

1. Mix a cup of isopropyl alcohol with a cup of water.

2. Dip a soft clean cloth into the solution and expel the excess moisture with your hands.

3. Rub the affected area gently with the cloth to remove the mold or mildew.

4. Mix an antifungal soap into warm water and make it very sudsy.

5. Dip a clean cloth into the suds and use it to wipe away any remaining stains.

6. Place the shoes in a cool dry place until the moisture is gone. It helps to put the shoes in front of a fan so that air can circulate around them and help them dry quicker.

7. Polish the shoes with a leather polish once they are dry to restore the shine.

References

• U.S Environmental Protection Agency: "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home"
• Mold (filamentous fungi): Mold spore with single hypha extending from main body
• UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences Cooperative Extension Service: Mildew Prevention and Removal