How to Remove Mold from Leather at Home: Effective Tips

Is there a strange spot on your favorite leather item? If yes, then you should be concerned about it. This mold ruins your leather's appearance and your leather item will soon get a musty odor that is hard to avoid. It will ultimately be damaged if you do not treat it at the right time.

How annoying is it if your new leather bag gets mold? Yes, it is hard to bear such a loss but don’t worry because there is a way to save your leather. You can remove mold from any leather item with the right approach and tools at your home. 

In this guide, you will learn how to remove mold from leather. We will cover everything from cleaning techniques to future prevention tips. Keep reading and learn how to restore your leather items!

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that spreads on wet and dead things. It is grown especially on things that are made of natural materials. So it is clear that it can easily damage your leather shoes, bag and anything made of leather. Because leather is made of different animal skin. Therefore,  it is a natural material.

A new or small mold may not seem dangerous and look like a spot but it affects natural materials badly over time. It can harm your leather goods by fading them, making them smelly and breaking them. It grow on leather in many different ways. There are many things that you should know about how to remove mold from leather. 

Difference between Mold and Mildew

You often hear about Mildew. Sometimes it is considered to be the same as mold but there is little difference between them. The similar thing is that both are leather enemies. They both grow on leather and damage it entirely. Mildew also grows on leather due to humidity and heat.

The main difference between them is that they are different in their appearance. Mold has  different shades of green or black on the other hand, mildew has a yellowish, white, or gray substance on cloth or paper. Both are equally dangerous.

What causes mold on leather?

You often see mold on different leather and think about how this appears on it. As you know it is a fungus that grows on organic material. Mold has various kinds that have different effects. Severe kinds of mold also cause health issues like allergies. So it is essential to know how to remove mold from leather.

Heat, moisture and darkness are the leading causes of mold in leather. For example, if you place leather in the darkest closet for a long time or your leather coat gets wet due to rain, there are several chances of getting mold on the leather. There are some other reasons for molding on leather.

1.   Lack of ventilation

If you put your leather goods where there is no ventilation, there is more chance of leather molding.

2.   Humidity

When there is a lot of moisture in the air due to humidity. Therefore, mold grows there.

3.   Moisture or Wetness

If your leather is wet due to rain or any other reason, this becomes the cause of mold growth on the leather. Therefore, leather things must be properly dried when they get wet.

4.   Maintenance issue

Leather requires care. If you will not keep it maintain and clean, it develop mold germ and damage it.

5.   Less Usage

Leather goods that are less in use have more chance to grow mold on them.

6.   Organic Material

Leather is a natural material. It is very attractive for mold germs. Dust and dirt particles stay on leather and become ideal places for mold germs..

How to Remove Mold from Leather: Cleaning Supplies Required

Before sharing steps about how to remove mold from leather, it is essential to check the availabilty of cleaning supplies. There are many things that are used in this process but the most necessary are face masks and hand gloves. These two things are important in respect of your health.

There is a list of necessary things that are used in the mold removal process.

• Face Mask
• Rubber Gloves
• Chlorine Bleach
• One soft-bristled brush
• Cotton Balls
• Soft cloth or sponge
• Leather Conditioner
• Tissue Papers
• Dry oxygen bleach
• One Bucket
• Vacuum
• Rubbing Alcohol

How to Remove Mold from Leather: A Complete Guide

Here are a few steps that help you in removing mold from leather:

 Step 1: Set up

• First of all, arrange a setup for this process outside the house so that the mold germs are not spread in your home.
• You must arrange a box where all the things mentioned above are placed.
• Wear masks and gloves.
• Now pick up the affected leather product and take it outside from the house.
• Clean that particular area with a soft-bristled brush where these types of objects were placed and throw it from outside of the house.

Step 2: Remove mold from leather

• Take the affected leather outside.
• Take rubbing alcohol and water together equally and use it to remove the mold from the leather.
• Wipe the affected leather with a soft cloth if applied to clothes and a cotton swab if applied to shoes.
• The cotton swab makes it easy to reach the cracks. If you want to repeat the process, put another clean cloth in water and use it.
• Now dry it naturally without any heat.
• This will keep them in shape.

Step 3: Make the surface Clean

• When the leather is dry, take a clean bottle, soap and warm water.
• Clean the leather surface with a soft cloth.
• If you are cleaning shoes also clean the insides of the shoes.

Step 4: Air Dry the Leather

• Put the leather for drying in the open environment.
• If it is clothes, you can hang them or if they are shoes place them on a stable.
• If you want fast drying, you can use a fan.

Step 5: Conditioning the Leather

• Apply leather conditioner on it when the leather becomes dry.
• You just have to follow the instructions on the conditioner.

How often to Clean Moldy Leather Items?

After understanding how to remove mold from leather, it is vital to know how often moldy leather can be cleaned. This knowledge helps you keep your leather items in shape and gives them long-lasting qualities. How often leather needs cleaning depends on its type, how much it is used and where it is stored. You have to follow some rules to keep your leather goods in good condition.

• Jackets, shoes and wallets are all goods that are worn a lot. Therefore, It is best to check them regularly. If you find mold, it needs to be cleaned up right now to stop it from spreading.
• Leather things that are not in regular use, like leather furniture, but you must have checked on them. Because less usable things have more chances of molding.
• The places where you store leather must be cleaned with the passage of time. Because mold can grow on leather items that are kept in humid places, like a basement or a room that does not have enough airflow.
• In last, it is up to you how much you care about your leather product. So, it is better to make a strict plan to have checks on leather goods on a monthly basis.

Tips for Removing Mold from Specific Leather Items

You have learned how to remove mold from leather, but now we are sharing tips for specific items to help you gain more insight because every leather needs different techniques and care rules. 

Shoes

When you are removing mold from leather shoes, you must clean the mold with soft-bristled brush. Take equal quantity of rubbing alcohol and water to clean the specific area. After wiping them with a soft wet cloth, let them dry naturally. After drying use conditioner.

Car Seats

Bags are also cleaned with the same pattern as shoes. Follow the same procedure for bags.

Bags

There is no special difference in the cleaning process of the bags. You can wipe the affected areas with the same cleaning mixture and dry them in the air. After drying, apply the conditioner. 

Couches

First vacuum the affected part to remove mold spores. Take vinegar and water equally in a spray bottle. Apply it to the mold surface and leave it for 15 minutes. Then wipe it with a soft cloth. Dry it and apply conditioner.

Jackets

There is no special difference in the cleaning of the jackets. You can wipe the affected areas with the same cleaning mixture and dry them in the air. After drying, apply the conditioner. 

Preventing Mold from Growing in the Future

You know how to remove mold from leather but it is also necessary to prevent it from growing again in the future. So here is what we advise you to follow as future precautions. The best way to keep mold off is to stop it at its starting stage.

• Leather goods must be placed in a cool and dry place with lots of airflow.

• Don't use plastic bags to store them because they might get wet.

• You should check the condition of your leather items regularly.

• If you live in a humid place, you should use silica gel packets. They are famous for soaking up extra moisture.

Conclusion

Now, you are an expert in dealing with how to remove mold from leather. You can save your leather items by applying these tips. By following these steps, you can not only remove mold but also keep your leather products in good shape for years. Remember to store your leather goods properly, maintain them regularly and keep them in a well-ventilated environment. You can make sure that your leather product looks good and lasts longer with these tips.

FAQs

Can mold permanently damage leather?

Yes, if you don't treat it at the right time. Mold can cause permanent damage to leather by weakening the material, causing discoloration and making it smelly.

How can I prevent mold from growing again on leather?

You should store leather in a cool place where airflow is good.

Can I use household cleaning products to remove mold from leather?

Yes, you can use rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and mild soap to clean mold from leather.  

Should I condition the leather after removing the mold?

Yes, you can use conditioner after cleaning. It helps restore its softness and prevents it from drying out or cracking after mold removal.

Can mold return after cleaning leather? 

Mold can return if leather is stored in poorly ventilated conditions.