Mold is the ugliest thing we'll ever see on our leather. it can harm the leather and it always should be attended with haste, and not only because it's a hazard to the leather but because it's a hazard to you as well. Learn how to clean mold from leather with these tips.
NOTE: Whatever you do, protect yourself and never sniff it.
Mold can release fumes and spores that are bad for you. So, keep in mind these tips to prevent it from happening:
- It might be a good idea to wear gloves and a mask when dealing with this bugger, minimizing your exposure as the fungi disperse.
- Second, you may want to start finding another place to store your leather.
- Dark places, high humidity, warm temperatures, and bad ventilation are ideal conditions for inviting the retching parasite. Instead, try to keep your leather somewhere cool and indoors. A little light, dryer air, and a little (breathable) protection, such as a dust bag, is preferable.
Of course, giving your bag a chance to breathe is also crucial to maintaining it. What we mean by breathing is allowing your leather to absorb the moisture around it, a natural lubricant that helps keep it supple and healthy. Without being able to release and absorb right amounts of moisture, your leather can either rot or dry out, depending on how much moisture it’s getting. Take your leather for a ride outside every now and then!
What to do if you have some mold problem
Previous steps:
- Clean the mold from the leather and use gloves and a gas mask when dealing with it.
- Let it dry in the fresh air.
After the previous care:
1. Clean it Outdoors
You want to be outdoors while doing this in order to avoid breathing in too many toxic fumes and/or spreading the mold spores around your house. The spores spread quickly and will multiply before you know it and chances are you do not want to encourage further mold growth.
2. Use a soft brush
Using a soft bristled brush, gently brush away the mold, taking care to brush away from your body, and also preferably other peoples’ bodies. Again, is a good idea to wear a mask. Also make sure you brush gently, as, depending on your brush’s make, brushing with too much force can scratch your leather. I know this is probably the least of your worries right now, but try to think ahead.
3. Wash it carefully
Once you have removed as much mold as you can, it is important to wash your leather. This leather care step takes careful consideration as you can’t wash leather like you do other apparel. You’ll need the right leather cleaner. To find the right leather cleaner, you need to know your leather.
For cleaning leather, use a recipe specifically designed for leather items. Assuming your leather is finished, you should have an easier time finding a good one, but you will still want to test it first. Gently apply the leather cleaner with a white cloth or applicator pad in a hidden, discreet area of your bag, and let it dry completely. If there is no discoloration in your leather and little to no color displacement on your applicator (or any other side effects), it’s good to go.
Wipe your leather cleaner in circular motions across the surface of your leather evenly and in thin layers. Afterward, wipe off any excess fluid with a soft cloth. You can bring it indoors to dry, in a cool place away from sunlight and direct heat. Heat is bad.
4. Condition it
Use a leather conditioner after you finish with the cleaning to prevent unnecessary drying and cracking and to replenish the leather’s natural oils that were also stripped from the leather along with the mold by the leather cleaner.
