Material
Leather itself provides nutrients.
Natural oils and residues become food sources for fungal colonies.
The Smell Test
One of the easiest ways to identify mold is by smell.
Ask yourself:
Do the shoes smell musty?
Do they remind you of:
- A damp basement
- Old books
- Wet cardboard
- A humid attic
If the answer is yes, mold is highly likely.
Mold often produces a distinctive earthy odor that remains even after surface cleaning.
Could It Be Something Other Than Mold?
Surprisingly, yes.
Not every white substance on leather is mold.
