Treating Musty Moldy Leather. What works for you?

[Diversification]

I know this thread is just about older than time itself, but I'm just kinda wondering if anyone has any updated thoughts on removing that musty smell from shoes. I happen to have run across this issue having just acquired some almost-unworn Meermin shoes from ebay. I haven't tried anything yet, but I'm trying to inform myself of all my options and figure out where to start. I found this thread with a search, so I figured I'd bump and see if anyone knows of any solutions that have a history of success (obviously not bleaching.)

I assume one of the less aggressive methods would be freezing, so I think I'll toss the shoes in a ziplock and put them in my secondary freezer for about a week. Suggestions on next steps are very welcome.

 

[Yagub Zamanov]

I know this thread is just about older than time itself, but I'm just kinda wondering if anyone has any updated thoughts on removing that musty smell from shoes. I happen to have run across this issue having just acquired some almost-unworn Meermin shoes from ebay. I haven't tried anything yet, but I'm trying to inform myself of all my options and figure out where to start. I found this thread with a search, so I figured I'd bump and see if anyone knows of any solutions that have a history of success (obviously not bleaching.)

I assume one of the less aggressive methods would be freezing, so I think I'll toss the shoes in a ziplock and put them in my secondary freezer for about a week. Suggestions on next steps are very welcome.

I am also interested as I am experiencing the same problem. Bought Meermin seconds from eBay.

 

[Diversification]

I am also interested as I am experiencing the same problem. Bought Meermin seconds from eBay.

I thought I smelled a conspiracy, but I just checked and the seller I bought from doesn't appear to be a large seller it anything, so it isn't like he's just flipping a whole bunch of Meermins that were mishandled.

I actually left the shoes in my garage more out of laziness than anything else. They've been out there for about 5 months now, and have gone through the winter cold. For about a month, when I would open the garage door, I would smell the must smell, but it seems to have dissipated since. I'm not sure if the shoes just aired, if the cold had suppressed it and it'll return, or if it's something else that I'm not considering.

I think maybe I'll try to pull them inside this weekend and see what the smell is like. If it's still bad, I may try an alcohol rub-down (among a few other treatments.) If I do find time to mess with them, I'll report back.

 

[Yagub Zamanov]

I thought I smelled a conspiracy, but I just checked and the seller I bought from doesn't appear to be a large seller it anything, so it isn't like he's just flipping a whole bunch of Meermins that were mishandled.

I actually left the shoes in my garage more out of laziness than anything else. They've been out there for about 5 months now, and have gone through the winter cold. For about a month, when I would open the garage door, I would smell the must smell, but it seems to have dissipated since. I'm not sure if the shoes just aired, if the cold had suppressed it and it'll return, or if it's something else that I'm not considering.

I think maybe I'll try to pull them inside this weekend and see what the smell is like. If it's still bad, I may try an alcohol rub-down (among a few other treatments.) If I do find time to mess with them, I'll report back.

I think its cold that made it temporarily disappear. Mine were in boxes for a couple of months and I also thought that the smell disappeared.

I just tried alcohol and it didn't work. I am beginning to think about resoling...

 

[tcbinnc]

Not on leather shoes but on clothing I have found Borax to be effective on mildew and on urine (I have dogs). Good luck.