What Causes Shoes to Get Mouldy in the Wardrobe?

Has anyone else noticed that shoes can sometimes develop mould when stored away? I’ve found that it happens more often with pairs I don’t wear for a while. Recently, a favorite pair of loafers turned up with some nasty spots, and I’m trying to understand why. Is it primarily the humidity here in Vancouver, or could the materials of the shoes be contributing factors?

I do keep my shoes in a fairly ventilated area, but I’m curious if there are specific signs I should be looking for to prevent this. Are certain types of shoes more susceptible to mould than others? I’d love to hear your thoughts and any tips you might have on keeping mould at bay!

I’ve definitely had some sneakers go mouldy when I left them in the closet for too long. I think it’s mostly about the moisture in the air, but I also noticed that leather shoes seem to hold onto moisture more than fabric ones. Have you tried using silica gel packets or something similar in your storage?

Totally feel you on that! I had some canvas sneakers that got mouldy after just a couple months in the closet. I’ve heard breathable materials help, but maybe using silica gel packs or even cedar shoe inserts could help absorb moisture too? Have you tried anything like that?