How to Remove Mold from Leather

Mold can grow on numerous surfaces including leather. All it needs is moisture and a certain temperature to grow. Opening your wardrobe to find a leather jacket or bag with mold grown on it, or sitting on a leather sofa to notice growth of mildew on it, or finding your horse saddle with a black or white mold layer on it in the humid summers or damp winters is not uncommon. Mold gives off a musty odor, is an unpleasant sight, and can eat through the fiber, damaging it to an extent where repair is not a solution. If the leather item has not been structurally damaged by the mold, there is no need to throw away the item. This article provides you with a few remedies that you can use at home to restore the leather goods to their original condition.

Method One

Things that you will require:

·      Gloves

·      Toothbrush

·      Vacuum cleaner

·      Soft, white cloths

·      Water

·      Bowl/tub

·      Leather cleaner

·      Leather moisturizer

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Before you start cleaning mold from your leather jacket, purse or sofa, wear gloves.

2.   Take the good outside in the open. Cleaning inside can lead to the spread of mold spores inside the house. Mold can then later grow on other items. Also, sunlight kills mold spores, and solves half your problem. Do not clean on a rainy or humid day.

3.   Grab an old toothbrush, and start brushing off the mold from the Leather good. Make sure you get all of it.

4.   Now, vacuum the Leather item so that mold spores that have seeped to a great depth inside are sucked out. Once done, take out the vacuum bag and dispose it off in the bin.

5.   Take a soft, white cloth and dip it in a bowl or tub of water. Wring out the cloth till it is only slightly damp.

6.   Wipe the entire surface of the leather good with the damp cloth. Do not soak the leather in water. Also, do not rinse and re-use the cloth as this will cause the mold spores to spread. Use another cloth if the first one dries out too quickly.

7.   Leave the good in the open outside, and let it dry in the sunlight.

8.   Once the item has completely dried, grab a bottle of leather cleaner, and apply it on a soft, white cloth. Wipe the leather good with the cloth. If a leather cleaner is not available, you can also use a mild soap, such as baby shampoo. However, remember to test the baby shampoo on an inconspicuous area of the leather good first. If the leather discolors due to the shampoo, do not proceed with it.

9.   Follow the leather cleaner with a leather moisturizer.

10.   The leather jacket/purse/sofa is as good as new now!

Method Two

Things that you will require:

·      Gloves

·      Toothbrush

·      Vacuum cleaner

·      Bowl

·      Water

·      Soap bar

·      Soft, clean cloths

·      Rubbing alcohol

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   Remember, cleaning mold always requires you to wear gloves. Not wearing gloves may cause allergic reactions.

2.   The item needs to be cleaned in well ventilated area, and preferably outside. This will prevent the mold spores from spreading inside the house, resulting in mold growth on other items. Additionally, direct sunlight kills mold spores. Try avoiding a humid or rainy day. You want to eliminate mold, not encourage it.

3.   To get rid of the mold on the leather surface, brush away the mold with an old toothbrush.

4.   Let the leather good dry out in the sun completely.

5.   Some mold spores may have seeped inside the leather good. Vacuum the item to suck them out of the good. Once you have vacuumed, dispose of the vacuum bag in the bin immediately.

6.   To make your cleaning solution, pour some water in a bowl. Now, add a soap bar to it, and mix till thick suds are formed.

7.   Next, dip a soft, white cloth in the foam of the soapy water only, and apply it on the leather item. Do not soak the leather good in the solution.

8.   Let the leather good dry in the sun.

9.   If you can still see mold on the leather item, proceed in the following way: Pour 1 cup rubbing/denatured alcohol into a bowl. Add 1 cup water to the bowl.

10.   Dip a soft, clean cloth in the solution, and apply it on the leather.

11.   Next, take another piece of cloth, dip it in plain water, and wring it. Wipe the leather with the damp cloth.

12.   Let the leather item dry completely in the sun. Mold is likely to grow again if the good is taken inside when moist.

Tip:

Always test the solution on an inconspicuous area of the leather item first to see if any discoloration occurs.

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