Mold on shoes comes off with vinegar, baking soda, or rubbing alcohol—but the real work is drying them out completely
Mold grows on shoes because they stay damp. A shoe left in a closet after rain, stuffed in a gym bag, or stored in a humid basement becomes a perfect breeding ground. The good news: mold on the surface of shoes is straightforward to remove, and you can do it at home. The harder part is making sure it does not come back, which means understanding why your shoes got wet in the first place and breaking that cycle.
If the mold has eaten into the shoe material itself—if the leather is soft and crumbling, or the sole is separating—the shoe may not be worth saving. But if the mold is surface growth on otherwise solid material, you can clean it and restore the shoe to use.
Key Takeaways
- White vinegar or rubbing alcohol kills mold on shoe surfaces; spray or wipe it on, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush.
- Baking soda absorbs moisture and odor after you clean; sprinkle it inside the shoe, seal it in a bag overnight, then vacuum it out.
- Air-dry shoes in sunlight and moving air, never in a closed closet or near direct heat, which can warp them and trap moisture.
- Prevent mold by storing shoes in a cool, dry place, using cedar blocks or silica packets inside, and never putting damp shoes away.
- If mold has damaged the shoe structure—soft leather, crumbling material, or a loose sole—the shoe is not worth the effort to save.
Cleaning mold off the outside of the shoe
Start with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Both kill mold spores on contact. Pour vinegar or alcohol into a spray bottle and spray the moldy areas until they are wet. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the liquid can penetrate the mold. Then scrub with an old toothbrush, using firm circular motions. For stubborn spots, dip the brush directly into the vinegar or alcohol and scrub again.
Wipe the shoe clean with a dry cloth. If the shoe is leather or suede, test your chosen liquid on a hidden spot first—vinegar and alcohol are safe on most materials, but some dyes or finishes can be affected. For canvas or synthetic shoes, this is rarely a problem.
If the mold smell lingers after cleaning, the odor is often trapped inside the shoe, not on the surface. Move to the next step to address that.
Removing mold smell from inside the shoe
Baking soda is the most effective way to pull moisture and odor out of a shoe. Sprinkle a generous amount—roughly a tablespoon per shoe—inside each shoe. Shake it around so it coats the insole and the sides. If the shoe has a removable insole, take it out and sprinkle baking soda on both the insole and the shoe interior.
Seal the shoe in a plastic bag or paper bag and leave it overnight, or for 24 hours if the smell is strong. The baking soda will absorb moisture and odor. The next day, open the bag and vacuum out the baking soda using the hose attachment on your vacuum. Tap the shoe gently to dislodge any powder stuck in seams or creases, then vacuum again.
If you do not have baking soda, crumpled newspaper or activated charcoal work as alternatives, though baking soda is faster and more thorough.
Drying shoes completely so mold does not return
This is the critical step. A shoe that is not fully dry will grow mold again within days. Place the shoes in a warm, dry location with moving air—a sunny windowsill, a room with a fan running, or near (but not directly against) an open window. Sunlight is your ally; UV light kills mold spores and helps dry the shoe.
Never dry shoes in a closed closet, in a basement, or near a heating vent or radiator. A closet traps humidity. A basement is often damp. Direct heat can warp the shoe, crack leather, or melt glue holding the sole in place. Drying should take 24 to 48 hours depending on the shoe size and the humidity in your home.
To speed drying, stuff the shoe loosely with newspaper or paper towels. Replace the paper every few hours if it becomes damp. This absorbs moisture from the inside while air circulates around the outside. Do not pack the shoe tightly; air needs to move through it.
When to throw the shoe away instead of cleaning it
If the mold has been growing for weeks or months, it may have damaged the shoe beyond practical repair. Press your thumb on the leather or material. If it feels soft, spongy, or if your thumb leaves an indentation that does not spring back, the material is breaking down. If the sole is peeling away from the upper, or if you can see the mold has created visible holes or pits in the material, the shoe's structure is compromised.
A shoe in this condition will not hold up to wear, and the mold may return even after cleaning because the material itself is damaged. It is better to discard it and focus on preventing mold on your other shoes.
Storing shoes to prevent mold in the future
The best mold prevention is a dry storage space. Keep shoes in a closet or cabinet that gets air circulation—not a sealed plastic bin. If your closet tends to be humid, run a small dehumidifier in there, or leave the door cracked open to allow air to move through.
Place cedar blocks or cedar shoe inserts in the storage area. Cedar naturally repels mold and absorbs moisture. Silica gel packets (the kind that come in vitamin bottles or electronics packaging) also work well; toss a few into the shoe or the storage container. Replace them when they become saturated.
Never store damp or wet shoes. If a shoe gets wet from rain or sweat, dry it completely before putting it away. This single habit stops most mold problems before they start.
What to do if mold keeps coming back
If you clean the shoes, dry them thoroughly, and mold returns within a few weeks, the problem is not the shoes—it is the storage environment. Your closet or storage area is too humid. This is especially common in basements, bathrooms, or homes in damp climates.
Move the shoes to a different location: a bedroom closet, a hallway, or a dry cabinet. If you must store them in a damp area, use a sealed plastic container with silica packets inside, and replace the packets every month. You can also run a small dehumidifier in the storage space, or use a moisture-absorbing product like DampRid, which pulls water from the air without electricity.
If mold is a persistent problem across many items in your home, not just shoes, you may have a broader moisture issue. Consider having a professional inspect your home for leaks, poor ventilation, or inadequate drainage around the foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bleach to clean mold off shoes?
Bleach kills mold, but it can damage or discolor most shoe materials, especially leather, suede, and colored fabrics. Vinegar and rubbing alcohol are safer choices that work just as well. If you do use bleach, dilute it heavily (one part bleach to ten parts water), test it on a hidden area first, and wear gloves.
How long does it take for shoes to dry completely?
Most shoes dry in 24 to 48 hours in a warm, dry location with air circulation. Larger shoes, thick materials like leather boots, or humid environments may take longer. Stuff them with newspaper and replace the paper every few hours to speed the process.
Is it safe to wear shoes that had mold on them?
Yes, once the mold is cleaned off and the shoe is fully dry, it is safe to wear. Mold spores are killed by vinegar and alcohol, and any remaining odor is removed by baking soda. If you have respiratory sensitivity or mold allergies, make sure the shoe is completely odor-free before wearing it.
Can I put moldy shoes in the washing machine?
Washing machines can clean canvas shoes and some synthetic materials, but the moisture and heat can spread mold spores and may not dry the shoe completely afterward. Hand-cleaning with vinegar or alcohol is faster and more effective. If you do machine-wash, dry the shoe thoroughly in sunlight afterward.
What is the difference between mold and mildew on shoes?
Mildew is a type of mold, so the cleaning methods are identical. Both are fungi that grow in damp conditions. The terms are often used interchangeably, and both respond to vinegar, alcohol, and baking soda.