When we said we like vintage kicks, we really didn’t mean that literally. And when everyone was trying to get their hands on the Lost and Found 1s, a lot could’ve gone wrong. From order declines to not getting into the raffle and more, the obstacles are there. But imagine this: you overcame all these hurdles and successfully copped, only to receive a pair of moldy Jordans! Imagine that? But why did mold grow on these kicks? And were there other instances of moldy kicks? Let’s find out together, along with a few sneaker care tips.
Moldy Jordans – A Sneakerhead’s Worst Nightmare
Who knew the day would come when sneaker reps would be of better quality than the real deal? At least that’s what some people are saying. That’s not the issue though, because we still love our authentic Jordans with all of our sneakerhead hearts. The issue is that when people order new kicks, they’d expect kicks in pristine condition. However, several sneakerheads received pairs of moldy Jordans from the Lost and Found drop.
And not long after that, someone received the Jordan 4 A Ma Maniere, and that too was moldy! Luckily, you can get a refund if you provide pictures and enough evidence. However, it’s still heartbreaking to go through all that pain to end up losing the kicks again. A spokesperson on behalf of Jordan Brand addressed the issue by saying: “We are aware of the issue and are working to address it to improve future experiences.” You can read more about that here.
Why Would Sneakers Get Mold?
If you’re not knowledgeable in sneaker collecting and keeping kicks in deadstock condition, allow us to explain. Sneaker storage is a very important part of sneaker preservation; the where and the how are equally important! If you wanna know more about that, check this out. And according to discussions, the sneakers were stored in containers in ports. However, we know that sneakers and moisture don’t go hand in hand.
Although the shipping and storage might be the same for different pairs, materials can react differently. That, in turn, made sneakerheads question the quality of new Jordans. And to be honest, that seems like a never-ending loop. Mind you, years ago, some people received their Jordan 12 True Red with mold. And another sneakerhead bought the Jordan 4 Cavs from Champs Sports, and that turned out to be moldy too. So accidents will happen sadly, but when it’s en masse, that’s when the backlash will start.
How to Save Moldy Jordans?
Although it’s a bad situation to be in, moldy Jordans aren’t the end of the world. You can salvage the pair if you know how to. And leave it to awesome sneakerheads to find some handy tips and tricks! The main tip is that you should let the sneakers breathe by actually wearing them every once in a while. You can also put them out in the sun, the natural mold killer! But if you wanna keep the kicks in deadstock condition, read on.
If you got moldy Jordans, here’s what you’re gonna need:
- Water
- Vinegar
- Soft bristle brush
- Alcohol
- Petroleum jelly (suede)
Leather Upper
If your sneakers have a leather upper, you should clean the upper from the visible mold with the brush. Then, mix the water and vinegar, dip a cloth in the mixture, and wipe the kicks. Vinegar is another natural mold killer. However, if the mold persists, then you can go for the desperate measure which is alcohol. Wipe the upper with that, but then wipe them again with water to get rid of the remaining alcohol. Alcohol could ruin the upper, so keep that in mind.
Suede Upper
If you’re working with a suede upper, it’s a different process. You don’t wanna use vinegar as your first option because it can ruin the color. However, you can use petroleum jelly on the moldy area (aka stuff like Vaseline) and leave it until the suede absorbs it. Then, use an alcohol-water mix to wipe the area, and then wipe it after 3 to 5 minutes. The jelly will protect the color, but better safe than sorry! You can check a detailed guide right here. Good luck!
