How to Get Mildew Out of Sneakers

Canvas sneakers are a fashion staple for casual wear. The array of colors and styles available means you never have to wear the same pair of sneakers two days in a row. Although sneakers are generally easy to care for, if they become wet, mildew stains and odor can develop. Unless you effectively kill the mildew and remove the stains, a musty odor will continue to linger. You can use household supplies to get mildew stains out of your sneakers, allowing you to step out in style again.

Newspaper
Bowl
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup table salt
Spoon
Old toothbrush
1/2 teaspoon laundry detergent
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Clean cloths

Instructions

- 1
  Set your mildew-stained sneakers on top of a layer of newspaper. Position the sneakers so they're in a sunny location outside or near an open window.
- 2
  
  Lemon serves as a natural mildew killer and stain remover.
  
  Fill a bowl with 1/4 cup each of lemon juice and table salt. Stir the two ingredients together until mixed well.
- 3
  Spoon the lemon and salt paste onto the mildew stains on your sneakers. Leave the shoes in the sun until the paste dries. The combination of sun and lemon paste kills the mildew and helps bleach the stains.
- 4
  Brush the lemon paste off the surface of your sneakers using an old toothbrush.
- 5
  Combine 1/2 teaspoon of laundry detergent and baking soda in a bowl. Stir the two ingredients together to create a solution to clean and deodorize your sneakers.
- 6
  
  An old toothbrush is an effective small scrub brush.
  
  Moisten the old toothbrush with water. Dip the brush in the detergent and baking soda solution. Scrub the exterior of your sneakers to remove any remaining mildew stains.
- 7
  Wet the toothbrush with water and scrub the shoes to rinse off the detergent. Dampen a clean cloth and blot the canvas to remove the remainder of the detergent solution.
- 8
  Fill the inside of the sneakers with crumpled newspaper to hold the shape as they dry. Allow them to air dry.

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