How to Prevent Mold on Shoes in Closet (12 Easy Ways)

We all have seen fuzzy slimy substances growing in humid areas like cooling pipes or ducts of our homes. At this point, a preeminent question arises How to Prevent Mold on Shoes in the Closet? We have answered this in detail below.

Well, that irritating substance is none other than mold. It usually grows in areas with little light and much moisture. At first, you might not know if it is mold or some stain. So you must be wondering how to differentiate that.

Here are some easy signs to figure out mold:

• It has a faulty smell.
• By applying some bleach, its colour lightens up.
• The surface on which it grows starts to crack.
• There would be a source of moisture nearby.
• It would be deprived of light.

How to Prevent Mold on Shoes in Closet

It is natural to sweat, and when we wear shoes, the sweat from our feet humidifies the boots. Without drying those shoes completely, we put them in the closet.

The closet is deprived of light and has a humid environment. Both are favourable for notorious mold. And after the mold starts to grow, we are left with nothing but regret, the regret of our shoes being destroyed due to negligence.

To prevent such a tragedy, we can take some preventive measures. All you need to do is be careful and follow them.

#1. Ventilation system

A humid environment is a crucial point in the growth of mold. To prevent humidity in the closet, you can create a ventilation system. It will eradicate moisture and keep your wardrobe dry.

#2. Install energy-efficient light source

You can keep mold from growing by installing energy-efficient light sources. They provide you with good quality light but at a low expense. You can easily keep them on for a whole day. Apart from this, heat from the light will prevent moisture in the closet. As mold doesn’t grow in the light, it will work for you.

#3. Louvred doors

If your house has a poor ventilation system, and it gets humid in your closet, then you can easily use this pro tip. You need to remove your old closet door and invest in louvred doors.

Now, what are louvred doors? These doors have an intriguing design; their sole purpose is to provide privacy and copious air passage. These remarkable doors will do the same work for you as the ventilation system.

#4. Clean and dry closet

No one is a big fan of cleaning closets, as it is much work. But it is crucial. You might think it is a considerable task and can’t be conducted daily, right? Well! I am not asking you to do it daily or weekly, but you should habitually do it monthly. Because in the case of fungi, cleanliness is essential.

Apart from this, if you spill water or there is some leaking pipe or attic, take care of it immediately. Your closet needs to be completely dry with 0% moisture.

#5. Removal of clothing bags

Whenever you bring a new suit or get your clothes dry-cleaned, remove the clothing bag and keep it out of the closet. Why? It is because the fibres of the material of these clothing bags tend to absorb moisture from surroundings, which can lead to the growth of mold. Usually, we are not aware of these small facts that can lead to big problems. So, make sure not to do this again.

#6. Use wire shelves

Here is the thing: wood is a heavy and dense material with no ventilation. It results in suffocation in the closet. In case you spill some water or your shoes are not dry, then there is no way that the moisture will go away because there is no way for it to evaporate.

The best alternative for wood is wire shelves. They are airier and lightweight. With all these aspects, they still look stylish.

#7. Keep the doors of your closet close

Though I’ve said earlier to make some path for ventilation, it was for places with dry air. It is better to shut your closet entirely if you live in a humid country. It will block the passage of moist air and won’t let it enter the cabinet. Even louvred doors should be avoided in such an environment.

The drier your closet is, the better it is for you. On the other hand, it will lock out the entry of spores, which are also necessary for mould generation.

#8. Dehumidifier

We can also make great use of technology to prevent molds. Since it grows in a humid environment, you can place a small dehumidifier in your closet. When there isn’t any moisture, there won’t be any mold. A dehumidifier is a better option in those countries which have humid air. It will make their job a lot easier.

#9. Don’t ignore the musty smell

If you open your closet and smell something faulty, musty or unusual. Then take a look inside immediately. There is an 80% chance that it is due to mold. And it can be inside one of your old shoes, on the floor, on the wall or any other place. Keep searching until you find the spot. Once the spot is found, clean it with mold removers and dry out that area.

#10. Use of silica gel packs

It is often seen that when you buy a new pair of shoes, there are small packets of beads in them. Have you ever wondered what it is? It is a silica gel pack. Silica is well-known in chemistry for its moisture-absorbing characteristic. You must place it inside the closet and replace it every three to four days.

These packs will absorb all the excess water, plus the point is that they don’t let mold grow on them. But it should be handled with care because if eaten by a child, it can be harmful. Hence silica gel packs are a blessing in disguise.

#11. Avoid placing wet shoes

It is a significant issue that we never dry or clean our shoes before placing them in the closet. Sweat in them and sometimes water on the soles can also lead to mold. The best way to dry your shoes is to place them in the sunlight for one to two hours. It won’t only dry them out but also eradicate any foul smell. It is pretty much similar to killing two birds with one stone.

#12. Sunlight

While designing the home, try to keep your closets in a place where they can receive sunlight even for just half to two hours. Sunlight will provide the cupboard with light and keep it dry simultaneously. It is one of the best cures for mold. It is a tip for those who will be constructing their own houses shortly.

How to Store Shoes to Prevent Mold?

A few main things can be done to store shoes for the long term. When you are storing shoes, stuff them with acid-free tissues. Please don’t put them in any plastic wrapping. Rather than this, you can place a few silica gel packs in the box. And make sure the shoe that you are storing is completely dry and there is not even a single drop of moisture in it. Your shoes should be neat and clean. In this way, you can store it for a relatively longer duration.

How to Remove Mold from Suede Shoes?

There is one easy way to do so. All you need to do is take a spray bottle and add water and alcohol 1:1(half and a half). Before applying the solution, brush away the mold with a suede shoe brush. After this, with the help of a vacuum hose, try to remove a maximum of mold.

Once you have cleaned the maximum mold, spray the area with the alcohol solution you made earlier. Rub with a cloth. Continue doing so until all of the mold is cleaned. Once done, place your shoe aside to dry and brush it with a suede shoe brush.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Conclusion

There are many ways to prevent mold, but all of these procedures should be performed with care. In case you get to encounter mold make sure to use preventive measures. It is because mold or any other kind of fungi is harmful to your health. Ensure that it doesn’t contact your skin or enter your mouth or respiratory tract. We hope this article was helpful; now, you can prevent mold on shoes in the closet.