moldy leather workboots

Mold is hard to control once it gets started. Dry them out every evening and re-greese daily.

[OceanBlue]

Thow them out. Then buy another pair of boots, waterproof them and make sure they dry every evening (put 'em by the dryer or heater vent)

Or better yet get a Peet Boot Dryer. I've had one for over 20 years and it's still working.
You'll still need to re-grease your boots daily if you're working in a wet environment.

OB,
It's hard to toss out a $200+ pair of White Boots



[ 03-04-2004, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[OceanBlue]

Keta, I know... but the only thing I know of to get rid of mold is bleach and bleach will ruin them anyway.

[mike5097]

Maybe you could rinse them with....... VODKA!! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Sorry couldn't resist!

When I lived in Ketchikan I used some mold killer that was made for leather but with my CRS I can't remember what it was.
TRY THIS

[Corkie Monster]

I live in my boots during the summer. Get yourself a Peat Boot dryer. Another reason your boots may be getting mold is because of Water Proofing grease. These companies tell you that waterproofing is good, but their just trying to sell their product. By waterproofing your boots you are also holding all that moister in that's created by your feet. Waterproofing also damages leather (rot/mold) and the stitching. Out of all water proofing grease Snow Seal is the worse stuff to use. The boots I wear for Firefighting are the "Whites Smoke Jumper" running at $375.00 a pair. The only thing that touches my boots as far as conditioners is oil. I use Obenauf's Leather Oil and Whites Oil I've been using this stuff for years and usually get about 4 years on one pair of boots before I need a rebuild. The oil will make your boots fairly water resistant yet let them breath. If you insist on waterproofing then I would use Hubbard's Boot Grease. Not sure what to tell you about the mold. You can call West Coast Boots at 1.800.326.2711 and they should have an answer on what to do. Just my .02

CM

[ 03-04-2004, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: Corkie Monster ]

Hubbard's Boot Grease is what I use and would recomend it too.

[BonkBonkBonk]

does anyone know how to stop molding in leather workboots? my boots get wet constantly, and have been molding(ick!) i grease them once a week with boot grease, but it seems to keep growing back. is there anything that can stop this, or is it just something that cant be avoided?

[Fshklr]

1 cup bleach and 4 cups water mixed in a spray bottle. spray the boots..rinse in feash water and dry with a boot dryer..regrease...the key as stated above...the boot dryer :grin:

[BonkBonkBonk]

buying 250 dollar hawthorns and having em mold is a pain!
ill just have to deal with it i guess

[Corkie Monster]

BonkBonkBonk

I just emailed Obenauf's Leather Care about your problem. This is their respnse:

That's rotten stuff all right. To remove mildew from leather, create a
mixture of one-cup rubbing alcohol per one-cup of water. Wipe the
mildew
area with a cloth dipped in the diluted alcohol, then allow it to dry.
If the mildew persists, use mild soap and water that contains a
germicide, then remove with a clean dampened cloth and allow to dry.

RE prevention, an important key to keeping leather in top-notch
condition is to treat wet leather before it has a chance to dry. Remove
any dirt, mud, or other stains with a cleaning agent, then condition
with Obenaufs while the pores are still fully responsive. It is
critical
to remember that leather should be dried away from heat. If the leather
in question is a garment, it's a good idea to stuff the garment to
retain shape.

Good luck with it and let me know if you have other questions.

--
Robert Grover
Obenauf's Online
Obenaufs
Extraordinary leather care products.


CM

[BonkBonkBonk]

CM: thanks!
what type of fire crew are you on?

[Corkie Monster]

I've done just about all of it. From regular hand crews, Engine crews, Hotshot crews, and am currently seeking Helitack and Helirepellars. Been doing fire with the US Forest Circus for 11 years now.

CM

[BonkBonkBonk]

thats cool
my job corp has a Type 1 crew..

[James in Idaho]

Before you toss 'em, I'd try cleaning as best you can, with something to cut the grease, and then saturating them with anti-freeze. Glycol acohol is toxic to just about everything, it will stop even dry rot in wood by killing the fungus. Let them dry, and oil (I used either the Obernuf or Red Wing Boot oil) them up. I try to stay away from greases on my Whites. Don't let your dog chew on your boots if you try this.

[Corkie Monster]

BonkBonkBonk

You must be at Wolf Creek then :grin: . try the crew out and make some $$$. I also attended the Job Corps for 1 year 1993 to 1994 at Timberlake on the Mt.Hood N.F. Great Place to learn for free. Alot of people think it's for bad kids but they are completly wrong and ignorant. Job Corps has gave me a career that I love.

CM