Help Me Spruce Up My Mouldy Sierra Hiking Boots

September 28, 2010 10:11 PM

What should I do to treat my mouldy hiking boots? They were abandoned scandalously in the back of a cupboard for years, and when I pulled them out they had a fine coating of mould on them. I've left them in the sun for a few days, but what now?
posted by gerls to Grab Bag (4 answers total)

Unless you are hyper sensitive to mold just wash them with some soap and they'll be fine.
posted by zephyr_words at 11:57 PM on September 28, 2010

Yeah that's just boring cupboard mold. Give them a scrub with soap and water and put them back out to dry in the sun some more and they should be fine.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:46 AM on September 29, 2010

White vinegar is good for mold killing. Just dilute with some water and wash. If there are stains rub the area with a mix of lemon juice and salt and leave in the sun. The sun really is your friend here.

If there is leather you might want to treat after with some mink oil to keep it supple.

(So sick of dealing with mold myself! Been a bad year here in Japan for it.)
posted by gomichild at 2:22 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

If you scrub old dry leather with soap and vinegar you'll probably kill it for good. It will crack when you wear it id the finish will come off. Go to a tack store (horse stuff) and ask for the leather cleaner. and conditioner with anti- mold. Spend some time warming them gently and conditioning them to get the leather pliable and watertight before you wear them and get them wet again.
posted by fshgrl at 10:10 AM on September 29, 2010