We’ve all heard of the old wives’ tale that says putting your shoes in the freezer will kill the bacteria that causes foot odor. But can you put leather shoes in the freezer? is it safe? and does it really work? Let’s find out!
You can put your leather shoes in the freezer if you want to kill odor-causing bacteria. If you have a pair of leather shoes that are particularly stinky, putting them in the freezer overnight may help to kill the bacteria and remove the odor.
Before you head out, there are a few important things I would like that you’re aware of before proceeding to put your leather shoes in the freezer.
Benefits Of Putting Leather Shoes In The Freezer
Putting your leather shoes in the freezer has several benefits. Here are a few of the most notable benefits:
1. Freezing Leather Shoes Kills Bacteria
One of the primary benefits of freezing your leather shoes is that it can effectively kill bacteria. If you have a pair of shoes that are particularly stinky, putting them in the freezer for a few hours may help to kill the bacteria and remove the odor.
Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. By putting your leather shoes in the freezer, you are essentially creating an environment that is hostile to bacteria. So freezing your leather shoes is a natural way to kill bacteria without using chemicals.
While freezing your shoes will kill bacteria, it is important to note that it will not remove dirt or stains. If you are hoping to clean your shoes in the freezer, you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a way to kill bacteria and remove odors, freezing your shoes is a great option.
2. Freezing Leather Shoes Can Help To Stretch It
Another common benefit of freezing leather is that it can help to stretch the leather material. If you have a pair of shoes that are too tight, putting them in the freezer may help to stretch them out so they are more comfortable to wear. To do this;
- You would place a regular freezer bag inside your shoes and fill it up with some water.
- Once the water is filled up, zip it up and place it in a plastic bag and then put it into the freezer.
- As the water in the freezer bag freezes, the leather will stretch out. The cold temperature causes the fibers in the leather to contract and maintain the new shape.
- After a few hours, remove the shoes from the freezer and allow them to thaw out. Once they are thawed out, try wearing them and your leather shoes should fit more comfortably.
- If they are still too tight, you can repeat the process until they are the right size and comfy to wear.
- Just be careful not to leave them in the freezer for too long as this can damage the leather.
Freezing your leather shoes is a great way to stretch them out if they are too tight. Freezing leather helps to change its structure. This is a great option if you don’t want to spend the money on a professional shoe stretching service.
3. Freezing Leather Shoes Prevents Mold And Mildew
Another great benefit of freezing your leather shoes is that it can help to prevent mold and mildew from spreading or multiplying. If you live in a humid climate, putting them in the freezer can help to prevent mold and mildew from growing on them.
Mold and mildew thrive in warm, moist environments. By putting your leather shoes in the freezer, you are essentially creating an environment that is hostile to mold and mildew. So freezing your leather shoes is a great way to prevent them from developing mold and mildew.
Unfortunately, if your leather shoes already have mold and mildew, putting them in the freezer can not help to kill the mold and mildew. What happens is the mold will simply be deactivated or become dormant. Once the leather shoes are back in a warm temperature, the mold and mildew will start to grow again.
So if your leather shoes already have mold or mildew, you should clean them with a solution of water and vinegar. Then put them in the freezer for a few hours to prevent the mold and mildew from growing back.
So if you’re looking for a way to prevent your leather shoes from developing mold and mildew, freezing them is a great option.
These are just a few of the benefits that you can expect when putting your leather shoes in the freezer. As you can see, there are quite a few benefits that make this method worth trying out!
Downsides Of Putting Leather Shoes In The Freezer
Putting your leather shoes in the freezer is not without its risks. Below is the main drawback to putting leather shoes in the freezer;
Leather Could Dry Out
One of the biggest risks is that your shoes could dry out, crack, or tear if they are exposed to extreme cold temperatures for too long. If you are going to put your leather shoes in the freezer, it is important to do so carefully and only for a short period of time.
Apart from that, you should never place your leather shoes in the freezer without first putting them in a freezer bag or plastic bag that would prevent direct contact with the leather and the cold air. The freezer bag will help to protect your shoes from the cold and prevent them from drying out.
Factors To Consider When Putting Your Leather Shoes In The Freezer
Now that we know the benefits and risks of putting leather shoes in the freezer, let’s take a look at some of the factors that you need to consider so that we can mitigate the risk and maximize the benefits.
- Type Of Leather
The first factor to consider is the type of leather your shoes are made from. Some types of leather are more vulnerable to drying out than others.
For example, suede is a type of leather that is particularly susceptible to drying out and cracking in cold weather. So if you have suede leather shoes, you should be extra careful when putting them in the freezer.
But for smooth leathers like patent leather, you should not have any problems putting them in the freezer as long as you follow the proper precautions.
- How You Prep The Leather Shoes Before Freezing It
Before you put your leather shoes into the freezer, you need to take some time to prep them. You want to make sure to first take out the insoles of your shoes if possible. If you cannot remove them, make sure they are clean and dry before putting them in the freezer.
Scratch that! make sure your leather shoes are clean and completely dry before putting them into the freezer. If they’re not dry, the moisture can cause the leather to crack.
Another important thing to do is to wrap your leather shoes in a towel, a good zip lock back, or a shoe cloth sack so that there is a layer of insulation between the leather and the cold air to prevent ice or frost damage.
You can also put them in a shoebox and then put that shoebox in the freezer. This will help to further protect your shoes from the cold air.
- Time Frame
Another factor to consider is how long you plan on keeping your shoes in the freezer. If you are only planning on keeping them in for a few hours, then you should not have any problems.
As we mentioned earlier, exposure to extremely cold temperatures can dry out leather and cause it to crack or tear. So if you are going to put your leather shoes in the freezer, you should only do so for a short period of time – which is between 2-3 hours.
- Ideal Temperature
The ideal temperature to put your leather shoes in the freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).
Any colder than that and you run the risk of damaging your leather shoes. So if you have a chest freezer, you should set it to 0 degrees Fahrenheit before putting your leather shoes in.
If you have a regular fridge freezer, it is probably set to around -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-26 degrees Celsius). So you want to make sure that you do not put your leather shoes in for too long if your fridge freezer is set to this temperature.
- Making Sure There Is No Contact
And finally, you’ll want to make sure they’re not in direct contact with the freezer walls or any other hard surfaces, as this can cause them to stick.
By taking these factors into account, you can help to prevent any damage to your shoes and ensure that they come out of the freezer in good condition.
Putting Your Leather Shoes In The Freezer – The Final verdict
So, can you put leather shoes in the freezer? The answer is yes – but you need to be careful and take some precautions.
By taking the time to prep your shoes and being mindful of the time frame and temperature, you can help to prevent any damage to your shoes. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of freezing your leather shoes. Thanks for reading!