How to Get Mold Out of Your Hockey Skate

Mold and other fungi require certain conditions to grow. If you put your ice hockey skates away for a period of time while they are still damp, mold may form on the skates, especially if the temperature gets warm enough. Mold on a skate creates an unpleasant smell, but it also may discolor the leather and, if left unchecked, damage the material further. Keeping skates clean and dry helps prevent mold from forming, but if you do find spots, removal takes just a little time and effort.

Things You'll Need

  • Stiff brush
  • Rags or washcloths
  • Diluted denatured or rubbing alcohol
  • Soapy water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the moldy skate outdoors and wipe off as much of the mold as possible with a stiff brush. Go outside to do this to avoid spreading the spores around inside your home.

    • 2

      Mix denatured or or rubbing alcohol with an equal amount of water to create a diluted mixture. While both types work to remove mold from leather, denatured alcohol is poisonous and may not work as well as regular rubbing alcohol. Most grocery stores and pharmacies carry non-toxic rubbing alcohol. The amount you need depends upon the numbers of skates you need to clean, but you might want to use between 1/2 and 1 cup each.

    • 3

      Wipe the skate with a rag dipped in the diluted alcohol. Concentrate on the spot where you see mold, but keep in mind spores may land where you cannot see them, so it is best to wipe all over the skate.

    • 4

      Wash the leather with a soapy washcloth or rag with warm water and a mild detergent, saddle soap or a soap containing fungicide or germicide. After scrubbing, wipe off all the suds with a warm cloth.

    • 5

      Air dry the skate in a warm, dry area where air can circulate around the skate easily. Hanging it by the laces is one way to achieve good circulation.