Cleaning Mould Off of Leather Goods Such as Bags and Shoes

by Carole

I just learned a tip for cleaning the mould off of leather. I had two good quality and very expensive black leather handbags that I have not used for a couple of years and whilst sitting idle in the wardrobe, they had picked up mould spots. Clean the mould spots with rubbing alcohol on a cotton wool ball. You may have to go over the spots several times but it does work and won't stain the leather either. Pongs a bit at first but the smell should soon go. This would work for shoes too. Very annoying when you put your shoes away for the season and bring them out to wear again and they have mould on them. I don't know if it works on suede or on clothing but certainly did the trick for my leather bags. They look new and fresh again.

cleaning mould off of leather goods such as bags and shoes, cleaning tips

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Jim on Jan 17, 2020

any tips on jackets with a poly liner. Ex: bomber lamb skin leather. ?

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Debs on Apr 10, 2016
A friend of mine who's Grandfather invented the Leather Bomber jackets for WW1 , if it gets dirty or moldy toss it in the washer and it will be fine. Leather is made from skin of animals and they get wet in the rain etc. it does not hurt them.. So from a Gent who knew how too " Toss it in the wash..gentle wash cycle."....I cleaned a very old, very stiff vest that way and now it looks new again ! Hang it up to dry, it does not do good in the dryer!

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- Carole on May 02, 2016
  @Debs My concern would be that the item could shrink but then that is more down to how you dry it I think than it getting wet? Not game to try it for clothing but thanks for the tip anyway. Leather is so expensive. You are right that the animal is of course water repellent but I know they treat leather with all sorts of chemicals in the tannery to remove the hair and change the look of it so that is of course another factor. Some leather is treated with a coating to make it more resilient to scratches and such too. I think the treatment and quality of the leather could effect the end result if you wash it in the machine but interesting idea. Thanks for the tip. My dad was a leather worker - he made luggage and stuff and in his later years he worked on artificial limbs - making the leather socket linings for the amputees comfort.
  
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- Debs on May 02, 2016
  @Carole Thank you for your reply. I too am cautious about things made of leather. And the expense of somethings is really high, so I would treat it with "kid Gloves" The vest was stiff as it had not been worn in years and after the wash it did come out fine. Like you said the way leather is treated these days it may not be such a great idea for most things.. Common sense should be used in all things, even cleaning of leather.. Your Father provided a great service for people and that is so wonderful. I am sure he made a lot of people very happy. Again Thank you for writing to me. ! HOMETALK= GREAT IDEAS FROM GREAT PEOPLE!
  
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- Tmpmustang on Jul 28, 2016
  I agree with you toss leather in the washer unless it has a lining that would shrink. I have tossed many of leather items in the machine and have not damaged one item. Only hesitate with leather pants with the silk/rayon lining. I can not afford for my pants to shrink in the a$$. Ha Ha! Where I live, new cowboy boots are soaked thoroughly in a bathtub, shower, swimming pool, etc......placed on feet and worn until dry. Then the boots are molded to your individual feet. Cowboy boots are very expensive but worthless if they hurt when you wear them. I soak every new pair of leather shoes/boots that I purchase and have not lost a pair yet.
  
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Tmpmustang on Jul 28, 2016
Great tip.

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