Cleaning moldy leather?

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I recently was cleaning out a hall closet and I noticed some of my jackets and shoes had mold all over them. Did some searching and found a few ways to take care of it but I want to be sure it does not effect the leather. I was planning on cleaning them with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Would this work safely? Also, what would you recommend to condition the leather with after I have cleaned it?

 

[ATF]

I get the same problem with my bike leathers. There are many bike leather cleaners and conditioners available. If you use vinegar they may end up smelling of vinegar, not something I've ever tried.

 

[Ole Wild]

If you can stand the smell...Ballistol works great!

Leather Care | Ballistol

 

[Jinglebob]

I have a lot of tack and occasionally have problems with mold. Once the spores get into the leather fibers it's hard to destroy.

I never use vinegar, it's too harsh and can cause more damage to the leather than mold.

Do the cleaning outdoors to avoid spreading mold spores. Get some old rags and some mild soap. Wipe off the surface mold with as many soapy rags as it takes. Throw the rags away as they get dirty because if you reuse the rags, even after rinsing, it will only spread the mold. Use an old toothbrush to get into crevices. Wash the leather again and use saddle soap and follow up by buffing with a quality leather oil.

Water will not hurt leather. Let the leather dry in a warm shady place, never in direct sun or close to a heat source.

Hope this helps.

 

[shouldazagged]

I agree with Jinglebob, but I always used saddle soap. Repeatedly. Seemed to work fine, though I only used it on boots and shoes.

 

[chaparrito]

I found an old pair of packer boots in the barn that I decided to have rebuilt. They were moldy. Used a stiff dry brush first, then a soft nylon brush, warm water and saddle soap. Dried them completely for a couple of days, then oiled them liberally with pure Neatsfoot oil. Mold gone.

 

[shaggist]

Saddle soap and an old toothbrush will take care of all your leather cleaning needs. After the leather dries, then treat it with one of the many, good leather preservative products, such as Neatsfoot oil, Mink Oil, Justin Boot and Shoe, etc. If properly maintained, the leather will last longer than you will.

 

[Ky Cowboy]

I have a WW1 Calvary Saddle Bag that set in the back of the closet for a couple of years. When I pulled it out it had mold on it. I brought to the family room and give it a good going over with Johnson's Paste Wax. Inside and out, two or three times. Let it set till next evening when I came in from work. Give it a good buffing with a shoe brush and it has done quite well for some time now. I guess maybe the wax cuts the oxygen off??? I don't know, but it works for me.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Where would the best place to get saddle soap? I have used Ballistol on my old slings but the problem is it leaves behind an oily film something I do not want on my boots. I was planning on washing and soaking them in wash tub then to let them dry next to the dehumidifier and then apply the Neatsfoot oil.

 

[3dots]

Actually, you're close. 1 part white vinegar 1 part veggie oil. Yup, salad dressing basically. Cleans, deodorizes and conditions...I have used it many times.

 

[kimporter]

from someone that has cleaned more tack than i care to remember,murphys oil soap,all ya need,and you can find it everywhere,even grocery store

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

from someone that has cleaned more tack than i care to remember,murphys oil soap,all ya need,and you can find it everywhere,even grocery store

That is good news because I have some! I assume it will kill the mold spores?

 

[41]

I would use grapefruit seed extract in water and then follow up with saddle soap after the grapefruit seed extract solution dries.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

The advantage of using grapefruit seed extract instead of tea tree oil for killing mold is that it is odorless.

20 drops grapefruit seed extract
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes about 2 cups, lasts indefinitely.

3 Ways to Kill Mold Naturally | Care2 Healthy Living

You could also use tea tree oil but it is more expensive and is hard to dissolve in water.