How To Remove Mold and Mildew on Leather

There are thousands of species of mold, do you know how to treat yours properly? This video is a step by step guide on how to save your leather goods, instead of throwing them away.
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[@triumphmanful]

i did lemon juice on an ammo belt that i just found hanging in my closet. White spots were on it. Now its nice and clean. Thanks for this info.

[@charliebelk297]

This is going to help me save my late mother's leather jacket from the 90s. Thank you so much!!

[@deborahpatterson7692]

My antique COACH bag can be saved👏🏾

[@badger7275]

You just helped clean up a Soviet era rifle sling. Much obliged sir

[@GhostOfDamned]

C o m r a d e

[@aly5664]

You just saved my 300 dollar bridle ! Thank you!

[@viviakay]

Thank you so much! I ordered a beautiful handmade notebook cover that got mildewed in shipping. I had tried every other suggestion to kill the odor and this worked. Bless you!

[@konokukistune]

thank you for this information, helping save a custom vest

[@sarahmeadows5432]

Thank you!! I bought a beautiful leather and shearling tote and it got mildew. Too valuable to throw away like you said. Simply wiping it with a cloth didn't work, so I'm excited to find this remedy!

[@ArchieMiloJack]

I used your advice to revive an old weightlifting belt. Thank you!

[@lou-nc4rc]

Mix water with lemon juice. How much of each please?

[@daniellee1722]

Cool since I have most of these on hand. I live in a very humid place so the process is ongoing

[@cyndifoore7743]

So many comments and tips on how to take the smell out of shoes and inside of jackets. Thank you all for helping me with a leather jacket that needs cleaned before I put the lining back in and a pair of Born clogs that are my favorites.

[@wildwildwests]

Thank you! I have a vintage molded leather purse that has beautiful tool work done on it that got moldy... NOW... I can clean it! :) Great info here :)

[@cynthiahasdo6benefieldu125]

Ok I'll

[@ladyboywonder9139]

Bear_Bottom Basin Farm so? How did it work?

[@ahuiyigun3576]

Did it work?

[@michaelwilliams-ud9xx]

Thank you!! Tandy you saved the day!

[@velcroman11]

Great Video. In Australia, if there is no TACK store near you, try getting "LEATHER-PHAN" at the local Motorcycle shop. It's a liquid, use it after the mold has been neutralised., then once a year. DON'T drown the Coat/boots in it! just paint it on the let it dry into the leather. It can also be used on car leather seat, just don't drive the car for 24 hours to ensure the seat are completely dry.

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Clove oil is one I use it should kill the roots of the fungus

[@fredferd965]

Nice! How about treating the EDGES of the strap?

[@stevenfaul5630]

I just found a leather holster that I misplaced. Now I can get it back to a presentable condition. Thanks.

[@onzkicg]

That’s a gorgeous looking leatherwork!

[@taz692]

safely remove musty smell from leather shoes by lightly spaying a decent low smelling antiperspirant non powdery type is best, spray allover once, bag it up for a day then air out. repeat if any musty smell lingers i advise to use on unseen patches of expensive coats and the like just for peace of mind.i have used this method many times on expensive shoes as non of the other methods worked at all. it is not one odour overtaking another, the antiperspirant just deletes mouldy odour.

[@cyndifoore7743]

Thank you for this, going to try it on my Born clogs that have mildewed.

[@TucalotaLongears]

How much lemon juice to water?

[@louisasmiles]

Does vinegar work?

[@nniiccollee]

using this method on my moms old Coach bag that i found in the garage

[@cyndifoore7743]

How did it work?

[@nniiccollee]

@@cyndifoore7743 it worked very well it looks and smells new again. any lingering scent will go away after a few weeks of use

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Thanks for the tip. I'll make my old belt back to usable. Can't believe you didn't cover the saddle with plastic film before starting work. People discard items only because of them having mold on them?

[@shantinaturechild6385]

Mold can kill you or disable you badly !

[@alexandradixon3775]

Does this remove the odor too?

[@dougdiplacido2406]

I am curious as to why you would use the saddle as a workbench. Seems you are transfreeing the bad stuff to the saddle.

[@thevirtualzookeeper8226]

True, but when I do this I usually spray the whole saddle lightly with my 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar solution which should kill the mold. It can be rough on the leather, so I only do it when it shows signs of mold

[@triumphmanful]

Exactly my thoughts too . He is rubbing the mold spores onto a nice saddle. later on down the road apiece, he will see mold on that saddle ! It has happened to me ! Keep all mold away from other leather items, Boots, belts, saddles, shoes, and all horse gear ! Vinegar works well too !

[@discobear5752]

I'm assuming the strap was still attached to the saddle and the two items have been stored together -- which would mean the saddle has already been subjected to mold spores.

[@clubbasher32]

Does lemon juice lighten black leather?

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Excellent. Thanks

[@richardszyniszewski2791]

Thank you!

[@mary8273]

How much water to the lemon juice? Thanks beautiful video

[@TheBuckschott]

can you use vinegar instead?

[@cyndifoore7743]

I think vinegar would work, lemon or lime may lighten or streak leather.

[@creativeworks6231]

Thank you, for the good tips...:)

[@margaretstuckey3619]

I have several vintage tooled leather purses , about 3m thick leather. My problem is the leather has gone very stiff and hard. Would anyone be able to suggest a way to make them a little softer and more playable .

[@jamiereed9395]

Margaret Stuckey get some leather conditioning cream. Work into the leather until the leather becomes soft. May take several applications.

[@CaptainGSR]

Leatherique treatment.

[@hupsulotta]

Is it better for the leather to be completely dry before treatment?

[@hailkings]

yes ! and then never let it ever dry again !

[@Gloverelacing]

I am guessing that the reason it works is because of the acid in the lemon juice? I have been using vinegar with water when I get a baseball glove with mold on it. I haven't had a customer bring it back saying it returned (the mold) I was told this quite a while ago from your Allentown PA store. Just wondering if I am putting the leather baseball glove in any type of harms way. I do finish off the gloves with a coating of Dr Jackson while the glove is 90% dry. While the leather is a little damp I have found works really well with the gloves. If I let the gloves dry 100% they get scratchy and rough, if you add the conditioner while the glove is drying in keeps it much softer. Your thoughts and am I doing anything wrong with the vinegar? Thank you Schwindy from Schwindy's Glove Relacing

[@sjackson1837]

Gloverelacing

[@Gloverelacing]

Sandra, it's been YEARS since I worked on gloves as I had to because of my MS and receiving SSDI **** Though I still have the know how, I haven't done gloves since early 2012. That being said, I have still recommend to many who still call or email me that the vinegar watered down with "clean water" NOT TAP or city water. WAY TOO MUCH legal "junk" in that water that will turn the leather purple if you know what I mean! Clean water with the vinegar will KILL any or MOST of the spores of mold and keep it clean and conditioned for NO MORE MOLD! Now it's just Tom Schwindy but I have no idea how to change the glove relacing thing anymore. Not to worried about either.

[@jeffreyyeager1398]

@@Gloverelacing thanks, I have vinegar but no lemon juice. I got my leather knife sheath out for hunting and it is covered in green and white mold. I am going to try it. Thanks

[@Gloverelacing]

@@jeffreyyeager1398 Jeff I've been out of working with the bb gloves for over 6 years now because of my MS. I'm NOT looking for any business either as it was too much time for such little cash and now out of work it was just easier to quit. BUT I'm VERY interested to see if or how it works out for you.

[@jeffreyyeager1398]

@@Gloverelacing I have a knife sheath and I used apple cider vinegar to kill the mold, then neatsfoot oil. It's a little stained but I think it's going to be saved from the trash.

[@pranavsaran4565]

Nice. Thank you :)

[@dalethebelldiver7740]

What about mold and mildew stains?

[@mytv3351]

Can you use lemon juice on suede as well? I have suede boots that are practically new but were in an an area that was moist. White powdery substance on them and assuming it’s mold. I’m hoping lemon juice will work! But then, what after the wash? I don’t think leather conditioner will work on suede? Advise please?

[@ladyboywonder9139]

MyTV usually it’s vinegar, be careful, test a patch

[@carlosridriquez7557]

Nice

[@dalethebelldiver7740]

I have a large veg. tanned 3/4 steer hide tanned and better than average top quality but with stains that look like mold or mildew stains. I’ve tried everything to remove the dark blotches. Can you suggest something to remove two huge spots and the scores of specks dotting the hide?

[@-soundmcgee-2002]

DALE thebelldiver I have similar situation! Did you figure it out?

[@dalethebelldiver7740]

- SoundMcGee - I experimented with several ways. Number one; if the discoloration permeated into the leather beyond the surface; you better figure on using the discoloration into the design or figure on a seam. I tried mold remover; nope, I tried carpet cleaner; nope, I tried using abrasion; nope, I tried scraping; nope, I tried using a soap used in surgery. Not entirely effective. Sob; all my efforts produced a product with less staining than before but; it’s still stained. So; the alternative is to measure my measurements, incorporate the marking into the design or think of something new to make. I am opting to use the stains try to match the stains and create an effect of old on new. Look how many time people go out of their way to reproduce old looking stuff. Well; my leather is old but good. I’m just going to use it by creating a two tone shadowing effect and create an image out of it like clouds in the sky. It’s not that bad so; I’m not going to worry with it too much. The bag I’m designing will morph into 20 more layouts before I start cutting. It’s too bad YT doesn’t permit photos so this forum could be more interactive. You or anyone can send me a message if you want to see my materials or progress. It’ll be slow because I don’t want to screw up. It’s always nice to bounce ideas off others with the same interest. So; good luck in your efforts and let me know if you have any better results.

[@triumphmanful]

Shotgun blast works well. But to save it I re-dye the thing with Formsbees Dye and then neatsfoot oil.

[@whatwedointheshadows3349]

Lime juice would work too? How much are you diluting that?

[@lovabledogz]

How can I clean white stitching on a saddle that is black and the dye has transferred to it

[@TandyLeatherCo]

Is it a store bought saddle or did you make it yourself?

[@lovabledogz]

Tandy Leather it was bought

[@TandyLeatherCo]

Jennifer Murphy, the best way to prevent absorbing of dye is pre-treating the stitching before the saddle is put together. There's no trick to pulling out dye. The best advice we can give is take the saddle back to where you purchased it, and ask if they can provide any help.

[@lucindawhite9758]

what kind of oil??

[@Zwantceeto]

Beef foot oil, also sold as neatsfoot oil.

[@linnwhitehouse1800]

Retired but not wanting to get rid of my saddle. I have to keep it in my apartment but it kind of smells. How can I get the odor down?

[@jensrb50]

Vinegar

[@jensrb50]

When it is very dark brown mix vinegar with coffee instand Powder and put it on the leather .The vinegar will remove mold and remove foul odors and the coffee instant will give it colour and a nice smell

[@Grasls28]

Jens Roßbroich for black strap??

[@charliebrown4007]

i was told to use dawn soap and vinger will that work to remove mold and mildue off my rifle sling its leather

[@Gloverelacing]

Yes BUT THE SOAP left on the leather WILL DRY IT OUT! Not right away, but over time. You must clean the area with the mixture, then wipe it clean and then condition the leather with a good leather conditioner.

[@triumphmanful]

neetsfoot oil will keep it supple.

[@cyndifoore7743]

Dawn makes sense. I’m going to try adding it.

[@whatwedointheshadows3349]

Does he have a face?

[@ginalynesquerra8492]

i cant hear clearly because of the music plus slang

[@mitchellsmith411]

Bloody hell mate. Do the cleaning on a bench or something. No need to spread the mould spores onto the rest fo the fine leather. FFS.

[@packpride23]

BLOODY hell!

[@robertaward1394]

I imagine because the strap is attached to the saddle it is necessary to work on it. Because of the need to video I guess that's why it's not on a workbench, HOWEVER, personally I would have lain a plastic trash bag over the saddle to protect it. Great video, and good advice.

[@wuestion9473]

All this dead animal skin is sad.

[@maxprophet2401]

I feel the same about the grapes in my jelly, their skins aren't even worth a yt video. Just kiddin ya but the mold part is sad and nasty too. Vinegar it is

[@actually4660]

@@maxprophet2401 Everyday innocent vegetables are Crushed out of existence by Heartless Vegetarians.

[@sacredcowmusicjukebox]

Even sadder is it sitting in a landfill with no useful purpose.

[@cyndifoore7743]

Did you know that plants are living things and communicate through their roots? They tell the other trees and plants when they’re being cut down. Now think of that next time you’re eating broccoli.

[@1911Zoey]

Its not sad. It has transcended and is still useful even after its death. Circle of life prolonged to its max.

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Clove oil is one I use it should kill the roots of the fungus