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Leather, whether it is shoes, clothing, purses and bags, or furniture, it looks great, but can be difficult to keep in good condition. Mold and mildew will attack leather, especially if the leather comes into contact with moisture for extended periods of time.
How many leather items have you ended up throwing out because you weren’t sure to clean them without ruining them? Today, Water Mold Fire Restoration is sharing our favorite techniques for how to remove mold and mildew from leather.
It’s not just your shoes, purses, and shoulder bags that can become affected by mold and mildew. These problematic fungi can stain any true leather item, from leather car seats to leather saddles. With just a little bit of hand action and a gentle touch, you can easily remove mold and mildew from any leather object with these cleaning methods.
Secret Leather Cleaner #1 – Baby Shampoo
The best way to stop mold damage on your leather goods is to prevent the mold and mildew from getting a foothold (get it…shoes and foothold). Be proactive. Clean and condition your leather items on a regular basis. Try to store your leather items away from heat and in a dry environment when you are not using them.
For regular maintenance cleaning, baby shampoo can be your secret weapon. Simply wet a soft cloth, or a soft old t-shirt will work well. Dip it into some baby shampoo and work it into a lather on your leather item. Use a second damp cloth to wipe the lather away. As you know, baby shampoo is a gentle product but I bet you didn’t know that it makes for a great leather cleaner.
After you let the leather item dry, you should apply a leather moisturizer to help protect the leather from future damage.
Leather Cleaner #2 – Baking Soda
There are two ways of using baking soda to clean leather, especially white leather. Just sprinkle the baking soda over the affected area on the leather. Leave it for at least 20 minutes and then vacuum the baking soda away.
A second method would be to mix the baking soda in warm water and add a few drops of white vinegar and some liquid dish soap. This works well for spot cleaning. Use a soft damp cloth to apply the solution.
Leather Cleaner #3 – Rubbing Alcohol
Leather car seats can be a real challenge. Mildew and mold will hide in the many folds and around seams. This is where you call on the rubbing alcohol.
Mix up a small solution of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. A small amount will go a long way. Use a soft cloth, dampened with your solution , and rub it over any areas of mold or mildew. Work on small areas at a time, rubbing until the mold or mildew is gone.
Carefully dry the seat with a towel. It is best to then leave the car door open with a fan blowing across it to speed drying and get rid of the alcohol smell. The same treatment can be used on leather sofas or leather chairs.
Leather Cleaner #4 – Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is acidic and makes a great mold and mildew remover. Start by using a dry soft cloth to wipe away as much visible mold as possible. Mix lemon juice with water, about 3 parts water to 1 part lemon juice. Use a sponge or preferably a piece of lamb’s wool. Moisten your applicator with the lemon juice solution and gently wipe the surface to be cleaned. It’s not necessary to soak the item.
Allow the lemon juice solution to almost completely dry and then again wipe the item with a soft cloth. After your leather item is completely dry you should apply a leather conditioner using a sponge or a piece of lamb’s wool.
Safety First
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of health issues when you are exposed to it. Whenever you attempt to remove mold from anything, be it leather or some other item, it is best to first remove the item from your house or garage. Mold and mold spores are easily spread and could infect other areas of your home. You are attempting to remove the mold, not move it to a new location inside your home. Outdoors is the best place to remove mold. Besides that, mold hates sunlight as much as you hate mold, so working on it outside has two benefits.
You should also wear gloves to protect your hands along with a facemask and eye protection. Your eyes, nose, and mouth are common ways for mold to enter into your body and cause you problems.
If you find any large or small amounts of mold in your home you should contact Water Mold Fire Restoration at 800-905-0277 as soon as it is discovered. We have certified mold remediation teams standing by, 24/7, to help with any mold problem you may encounter. If you seek additional information, or just want to talk to an expert about mold and mold removal, we can also be contacted by email at help@watermoldfire.net.
