Mold in my shoes?

[otc]

I pulled the trees out of my shoes the other day and found a round spot under the heel. When I touched it, it brushed off on contact and was sort of a chalky greenish taupe color. Upon further inspection, I saw deposits of this same stuff elsewhere further in the footbed...they all wiped off easily with a cloth.

Is this mold? what do I do about it?

I last wore the shoes a few days before that from like 4 in the afternoon to 3-4AM and put the trees in as soon as I got home. There was dancing and some longer chunks of walking so my feet probably got sweaty (and there is a chance that I was out of laundry and had to rewear a pair of socks that day) but its not like I have not sweat into these shoes before.

Are my shoes dead? There is still lots of life in the sole so I don't want to try to resole and replace the lining...

 

[voxsartoria]

Did you try smelling it?


- B

 

[otc]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Did you try smelling it?


- B

I just smelled cedar from the trees.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by otc

I just smelled cedar from the trees.

Sounds peaceful and wonderful.


- B

 

[holymadness]

Could be just dust. I've had it collect in the toebox of a pair of shoes I hadn't worn for a while.

If in doubt, liberally sprinkle anti-fungal powder inside the shoes. Or insert an anti-fungal insole.

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by holymadness

If in doubt, liberally sprinkle anti-fungal powder inside the shoes. Or insert an anti-fungal insole.

x2.

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by otc

I pulled the trees out of my shoes the other day and found a round spot under the heel. When I touched it, it brushed off on contact and was sort of a chalky greenish taupe color. Upon further inspection, I saw deposits of this same stuff elsewhere further in the footbed...they all wiped off easily with a cloth. Is this mold? what do I do about it? I last wore the shoes a few days before that from like 4 in the afternoon to 3-4AM and put the trees in as soon as I got home. There was dancing and some longer chunks of walking so my feet probably got sweaty (and there is a chance that I was out of laundry and had to rewear a pair of socks that day) but its not like I have not sweat into these shoes before. Are my shoes dead? There is still lots of life in the sole so I don't want to try to resole and replace the lining...
I don't think the shoes are dead or even damaged. If it is mould...and the greenish cast to the dust indicates it might be...I would use a watered down version of chlorine bleach to get rid of it. Or you could mix up some oxalic acid (available in your nearest pharmacy). Either way, I always recondition the leather with Lexol afterwards. All that said, it is pretty hard to imagine any environment where mould would flourish after ordinary...even hard and extended...wear unless you live in a very rainy warm climate and they stay wet for a couple of days. Inland Puerto Rico comes to mind.

 

[otc]

I'll try some anti fungal something or other

I have some oxalic but I would like to avoid bleach or "wood bleach" on my shoes...doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

[gaseousclay]

Originally Posted by otc

I pulled the trees out of my shoes the other day and found a round spot under the heel. When I touched it, it brushed off on contact and was sort of a chalky greenish taupe color. Upon further inspection, I saw deposits of this same stuff elsewhere further in the footbed...they all wiped off easily with a cloth.

Is this mold? what do I do about it?

call an exorcist

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by otc

I'll try some anti fungal something or other I have some oxalic but I would like to avoid bleach or "wood bleach" on my shoes...doesn't sound like a good idea.
Shoemakers have used oxalic acid since time-out-of-mind. Wet vegetable tanned leather often gets stained by careless contact with hammers, knives and other instruments of destruction. Oxalic is used to remove those stains. But suit yourself...

 

[jeremiah1]

after you make that call I suggest collecting it, putting under a microscope and studying it for say a day or two....then use any of the above mentioned methods to kill it. hydrogen peroxide is effective as well for the most part. bleach is an odd one, kills yes but does it get to where you need it...depends. all about getting the pH of whatever you use above 10. most molds can live up to that point, beyond that they have a tougher time.

handle it before it consumes your shoe(s) and then you.

 

[Fourier]

Hi all, I think I noticed the same problem in one of my shoes. Seems like the thing to do is get get anti-fungal powder to be safe... but just out of curiosity, can any of you tell if this is actually a mold problem from these pictures? http://s1197.photobucket.com/albums/...t=IMG_0214.jpg http://s1197.photobucket.com/albums/...t=IMG_0215.jpg

 

[Incitatus]

Originally Posted by Fourier

Hi all,

I think I noticed the same problem in one of my shoes. Seems like the thing to do is get get anti-fungal powder to be safe... but just out of curiosity, can any of you tell if this is actually a mold problem from these pictures?
http://s1197.photobucket.com/albums/...t=IMG_0214.jpg
http://s1197.photobucket.com/albums/...t=IMG_0215.jpg

gross, of course thats mould

pretty advanced too, i wonder if those shoes can be saved.

always let your shoes breath before putting in trees.

 

[intent]

Put it on B&S.

 

[OakCreekHitter]

Have you worn them in the rain?
And do you feel moisture in the interior compartment near your toe?