Smelly Holster Leather - Help Please

[perpster]

I have a holster that is at least 20 years old. No visible signs of rot or decay, but it has a nasty smell. The smell seems to be coming only from the non-finished areas, to wit: the inside of the holster and the inside of the belt loop. I've left it in the open outdoor air for a few weeks which has helped, but not eliminated the problem.

Any suggestions on getting rid of the smell but not the holster? This was my duty holster and I don't want to replace it for sentimental reasons. FWIW, it's a JayPee NYPD holster for the Model 10 4".

Thanks in advance.

[srgvaz]

Go to a feed/country store and get some saddle soap wash it out good and air dry over night. If the smell is not gone enough for you repeat a few times until you get the desired level of leather odder. Once fully dry use some leather conditioner or you can darken the leather with some mink oil or some neatsfoot compound just make sure and use something to protect the leather.

[K38]

Maybe put it in a plastic bag with baking soda. I had a camera in my collection that smelled to high heaven I put it in a ziplock with a container of soda for a long time. It did seem to help. I would think that you could use loose soda even though it be a bit of a PITA to clean it off.

DLB

[perpster]

The only thing I can find locally at the moment are Weiman Leather Wipes. They don't contain alcohol or petroleum products, and do contain 6 natural oils and a UVA protectant. Worth a try? $4.99 for 30 wipes.

[PDL]

I asked in another thread about restoring old holsters. Some of the leather folks on the site said specifically not to use things like neatsfoot or mink oil cause the soften the leather too much. They also didn't think too highly of sadle soap. They recommended a hard glicerine(sp) bar soap and a couple of other things. I wouldn't be supprised if the same treatment would help in your situation.
You should be able to find the thread with a quick search, it's fairly recent.
Edit to add:
Actually I figured I could find the thread easier than you.
Here it is ==>
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/...-holsters.html

[digi-shots]

I had a holster that had a severe case of mildew. I tried a couple of things and the smell finally went away...

1. diluted bleach with water, on a cleaning rod and patch - I swabbed the entire inside.

2. rubbing alcohol on a cleaning rod and patch, I swabbed the entire inside.

3. sunshine (I put it out in the morning and brought it back inside at night )

4. at night, I placed it on the floor over the a/c ducts and let the air blow through it

When it was finally clear of the mildew and smell, I waxed the outside of the holster.

[Indycar]

Originally Posted by digi-shots

I had a holster that had a severe case of mildew. I tried a couple of things and the smell finally went away...

1. diluted bleach with water, on a cleaning rod and patch - I swabbed the entire inside.

2. rubbing alcohol on a cleaning rod and patch, I swabbed the entire inside.

3. sunshine (I put it out in the morning and brought it back inside at night )

4. at night, I placed it on the floor over the a/c ducts and let the air blow through it

When it was finally clear of the mildew and smell, I waxed the outside of the holster.

For crimanysakes!!!!!! You did everything that I've always been told not to do to leather!!!! I sincerely hope that you used mineral oil, neatsfoot oil or glycerine on it as everything you used would draw out any oils and preservatives.

I've always had the best luck using mineral oil. It darkens the leather less than anything else I've ever tried. It gives leather a used, but cared for look.

[digi-shots]

Originally Posted by Indycar

For crimanysakes!!!!!! You did everything that I've always been told not to do to leather!!!! I sincerely hope that you used mineral oil, neatsfoot oil or glycerine on it as everything you used would draw out any oils and preservatives.

I've always had the best luck using mineral oil. It darkens the leather less than anything else I've ever tried. It gives leather a used, but cared for look.

Well.... the outside of the holster was fine, it was the inside that had the mildew. It was so bad that you could smell it across the room! The outside still has a nice original shine to it.

[srgvaz]

Originally Posted by PDL

I asked in another thread about restoring old holsters. Some of the leather folks on the site said specifically not to use things like neatsfoot or mink oil cause the soften the leather too much. They also didn't think too highly of sadle soap. They recommended a hard glicerine(sp) bar soap and a couple of other things. I wouldn't be supprised if the same treatment would help in your situation.
You should be able to find the thread with a quick search, it's fairly recent.
Edit to add:
Actually I figured I could find the thread easier than you.
Here it is ==>
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/...-holsters.html

-glycerin- is fat as is -mink oil- I should of been more specific and said USE a little to just coat the leather and then wipe off the excess after an hour or so-it's all on the label of most. What's not on the label is if you place the item in the oven for a few minutes it will dry the mink out enough to keep it from going soft. If you want a quick fix use BABY WIPES WITH ALOE but the only way to get rid of the dead smell completely is to wash it out and follow the steps. Would you wrap a homeless person in a plastic blanket with baking soda? j/k
--When leather goes dry it rots and then smells- and then TEARS at the seams and breakers at the buttons(seen it many times). Neatsfoot -small amount- will keep the leather that is that dry from doing this. I am in no way an expert but the ex's folks own a leather processing CO. and I learned a little from them. Back in the old days people would use hand cream but the hand cream of today has too much stuff in it -not recommended for leather~
-take no offence this is just my opinion-

[srgvaz]

Originally Posted by Indycar

For crimanysakes!!!!!! You did everything that I've always been told not to do to leather!!!! I sincerely hope that you used mineral oil, neatsfoot oil or glycerine on it as everything you used would draw out any oils and preservatives.

I've always had the best luck using mineral oil. It darkens the leather less than anything else I've ever tried. It gives leather a used, but cared for look.

Mineral oil works real well it is found in most leather conditioners among other ingredients.

[Onomea]

Originally Posted by srgvaz

- Would you wrap a homeless person in a plastic blanket with baking soda? -

Uhhh. Is this a trick question?

Reminds me of the Walt Kelly remark, one of his characters to another ... Pogo to Albert? Anyway, "Would you hit a woman with a child?," to which the reply is, "No, I'd hit her with a brick."

[JWiley]

How about febreeze or Lysol Nutra Air on the affected surfaces? Pat on with a paper towel just enough to dampen just the surface.

[H Richard]

2nd the febreeze. I had my car serviced, and one of the tech's smoked in it when he took it for a check ride. I almost gagged on the way home. I liberally squirted febreeze around inside and in an hour it was all gone. Don't see why wouldn't work on leather.

[sipowicz]

Stop wearing it at 6 o'clock....

[JWiley]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

Stop wearing it at 6 o'clock....

"Concealed means Concealed"

[Lenshappy]

work'n vice squad....

[therevjay]

I really don't know how to get rid of the smell. FYI however, 'neetsfoot oil' is VG for leather. The problem is it's very bad for the thread that holds the holster together. So don't use it too heavy or often.

[Rangerpat]

Try putting the holster in a ziploc bag with 3 or 4 Bounce fabric softener sheets and let them sit together for about a week.

[perpster]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

Stop wearing it at 6 o'clock....

Maybe I should try Tucks, or Preparation H. Maybe the "H" is for Holster.

[setxn]

I have had real good luck with Sno-Seal beeswax based leather polish/waterproofing. recently treated 3- 30+year old holsters and 1-1917 vintage Mod 1911 holster that were pretty funky,moldy and smelly.I use the wifes hairdryer to apply,keep putting on coats until the leather stops absorbing the Sno-Seal.It will darken the leather somewhat,depending on how bad of shape it is in. I have used it for many years on boots,belts,holsters and even a billfold with only positive results and it will help preserve the threads in the stitching.

[setxn]

P.S. on Sno-Seal-wear some rubber gloves because soap and water won't get it off your hands too well.