- 1). Dry your shoes. If you have access to sunlight and warmth outdoors, place the shoes directly in the path of sunlight to dry. Throw away any pads and cushions and replace them with new ones. Remove the laces, if applicable, and open up the shoes as much as possible to ensure optimal sunlight. Dry your laces separately. If you cannot succeed in drying the inner portion of the shoes, use a blow dryer.
- 2). Hold each shoe over an outdoor trash can and brush the outer surface using an old shoe brush or scrub brush in order to remove the dried mold spores and wipe them into the garbage. Use an old toothbrush or rag to wipe the inside of each shoe.
- 3). Clean and disinfect your shoelaces using bleach. Pour 1 part color-safe bleach and 4 parts water into a cup and allow the laces to soak in the cup overnight. Remove the laces and dry them again using sunlight or an alternate source of heat.
- 4). Spray a mold killing solution over the inner and outer surface of your shoes. If cleaning leather shoes, pour 2 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol into your spray bottle. If cleaning athletic or other non-leather shoes, use 4 parts water and 1 part chlorine bleach. Mist the spray gently over your shoes, inside and out, to apply the solution without saturating the fabric. Scrub with a shoe brush and dry.
- 5). Spray a shoe freshener along the entire inner and outer surface of each shoe. This will help to kill any lingering musty odor. You can find shoe freshener at most shoe stores and many department stores.
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