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Leather is a versatile, hard-wearing material. But it is organic. Being an organic material can mean that it is susceptible to problems that synthetic materials are not. Mould and mildew can easily grow on leather if it is kept in warm, humid conditions and if left untreated, it can permanently damage the material. To remove mould from leather, you will need some common household products and a little bit of time. Let's look at how.
If you need expert advice on how to remove mould from your leather item, contact us at The Leather Colour Doctor. Maybe you're worried about damaging the material with at-home methods or you aren't sure what the best approach to take might be. We can find the best products and techniques to remove mould from your leather material, without damaging it.
Mould is a type of fungi that grows on damp or decaying materials. You will often find mould on gone-off food or in damp homes. There are lots of different types of mould, some of which can be dangerous.
The mould consists of a network of tendrils that work their way into the material and spores on the surface. These spores are easily released into the air where they can find other places to grow and spread.
It can sometimes be difficult to spot mould. Sometimes you will see the telltale "fuzz" but other times, mould can look like a stain, smudge, or discolouration. It can be particularly hard to spot dark colours, like leather.
Mould can be black, green, white, grey, orange, or brown, depending on the variety and the age.
Because leather is an organic material, it is the perfect breeding ground for mould. This is especially the case if the leather is stored in a humid, warm, and dark environment.
Mould can grow on any leather surface, including:
Leather items that have become infested with mould are susceptible to damage. You might notice staining discolouration of the leather as well as an unpleasant smell.
The mould that you see on the leather surface is only the tip of the iceberg. Underneath that is a network of tendrils that will be burrowing their way into the leather. Over time, the leather will become degraded and permanently damaged.
If you notice evidence of mould on your leather item, you should deal with it as quickly as possible to prevent any damage to the material.
Before going in and cleaning the leather, you should remove any dry, loose mould spores from the surface.
You should always wear rubber gloves and a face mask when dealing with mould because any disturbances will cause the spores to be released into the air where they can be inhaled and cause irritation.
If you can, it is better to complete this process outdoors. Mould spores are invisible and they settle very quickly in enclosed spaces. If you clean them off indoors, the mould could end up anywhere in your home. If you do need to complete this step indoors, make sure that the room is well ventilated. Keep every window open and use a fan if possible. Vacuum the area where you are working regularly.
Take a soft brush and gently wipe the surface of the leather items to remove the mould spores. Once there are no more visible, you are ready to move on to the next step.
There are a few different products you can use to kill mould. It is important to kill it before cleaning the leather items so that you can prevent it from coming back.
Before using any solutions on your entire leather item, you should test them on a small inconspicuous area first. The effect that different products can have on leather can be unpredictable, and it is best to test it out first to make sure it isn't going to stain or discolour the surface.
While bleach can kill mould on non-porous surfaces, such as tiles or sinks, it doesn't work on porous materials. This is because the mould will work its way into the pores and grow beneath the surface. Bleach will only remove the surface mould and won't kill the mould underneath.
Each of these will work equally well to kill the bleach ready for you to remove mould. Mix your chosen product with an equal amount of water. Then take a soft cloth and dip it in the solution before gently rubbing the affected area, using a small circular motion.
The key to cleaning leather is to avoid soaking it. When leather gets too wet, it will get stained. It is always better to use smaller amounts and repeat the step than to use a lot of liquid and risk staining the surface.
If you are cleaning leather items that have small crevices, such as leather shoes, car seats, or bags, then it can be a good idea to use a cotton swab to work the solution as deep in as you can.
Once you have finished cleaning the area, gently wipe it down with a damp cloth that has been dipped in plain water and leave to air dry.
Once you have killed the mould, you will need to go back in and thoroughly clean the area to remove the mould fully.
You have two choices here: you can use a specialist leather cleaner/saddle soap or you can create a DIY cleaning solution. Both can work equally well but the advantage of using a shop-bought leather cleaner is that it can be less harsh on leather surfaces that are more prone to damage (e.g. untreated leather).
If you are making your own cleaner, dilute a few drops of mild detergent or soap in a small plastic container of water. If you are using a leather cleaner or saddle soap, follow the manufacturer's instructions in terms of how much to use.
Dip a clean cloth into the cleaning solution and gently rub the affected area, again using small circular motions. Use a cotton swab to clean any small crevices. Remember to be as gentle as possible and not to soak the leather.
Once you have finished cleaning the leather, pat it dry with a clean cloth. Then leave it to air dry completely.
Avoid accelerating the drying process by using a hair dryer, heater, or sunlight. These can cause the leather to dry out and can lead to cracking.
If you are drying leather clothes, you can either hang them up to dry or lay them on a flat surface. Make sure that they dry in the shape they should be without any folding.
If you are drying leather shoes, stuff them with plain white paper (no ink) to ensure that they keep their shape.
Leather is an organic material that contains important natural oils. These oils help to maintain the appearance and suppleness of the leather.
When you clean a leather item, especially when you use any harsh cleaners, you can strip it of these natural oils. This can cause the leather to dry out and crack.
Applying a leather conditioner replaces these oils and can restore the suppleness of the leather and increase its longevity.
Think about the area where the leather items were stored. This space may need to be tackled as well.
If they were in a wardrobe or closet, you should vacuum the area thoroughly. Wiping down the walls with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol will ensure that any mould in the area is killed.
If the leather items were stored in cardboard boxes (e.g. shoe boxes), you should throw these away. It is almost impossible to remove mould from cardboard. Any treatments you use would destroy it anyway.
Check out: How To Care For Leather Bags
If the leather items are stored amongst other pieces of clothing, or if your sofa has blankets and throws, then these should all be washed.
If there is mould visible on the fabrics, then you can use a variety of methods to remove it. You can use mild soap, white vinegar, or Borax to pre-soak the mouldy area and kill the mould.
For organic fabrics, hydrogen peroxide can also be used. For white fabrics, you can use bleach. Whichever product you choose, work it into the stained area of the fabric gently using a soft brush. For more tough fabrics, like denim, you can use a toothbrush to work it in more deeply.
Then let the fabric dry. Sunlight is effective at removing mould stains but it can fade coloured fabrics and can damage delicate fabrics.
Once the fabric is dry, place it in the washing machine with your usual detergent and wash on the highest temperature setting.
If you are dealing with mould on leather furniture, make sure that the carpeting has been vacuumed and cleaned. Wash down the walls with white vinegar or bleach. Keep the room as airy as possible, with the window open to encourage the removal of mould.
Discover: How To Restore Leather Couch Cushions
Mould on leather car seats can be more difficult to deal with because there are so many little crevices in cars that can hide mould. Clean in and around the seats as thoroughly as you can and use a handheld vacuum cleaner for cleaning in between the seats, under the seats, and around the car components.
Explore: How To Care For Nappa Leather Car Seats
Mould is a common problem. You will have come across mould at some point, whether it's from food left too long in the fridge, damp areas of your home, or items that have been stored away for too long.
Just because it's common, that doesn't mean that mould can't be prevented. With a little bit of foresight and planning, you can stop mould before it grows on your leather items. This will reduce the chances of them getting damaged and will mean you won't have to spend time cleaning mould.
One of the most important ways of preventing mold is the place where the leather items are stored. Mould loves to grow in warm, humid, dark places. If your leather items are stored somewhere like that, it increases the chance of mould growing on them.
For leather furniture, make sure that it isn't placed flush against the wall especially if it is an outside wall. Leaving a little gap between the furniture and the wall allows more airflow and can stop damp from collecting.
For leather clothing and shoes that are stored in a closet or wardrobe, this can be more tricky. Try not to stack the leather items too closely together and leave the door open as often as you can with the outside window from the room open. To encourage even more airflow, you can consider running a fan regularly.
Don't store leather items in plastic storage containers or plastic bags. Plastic can trap moisture which will create the perfect breeding ground for mould on the leather inside.
If your car has leather seats, make sure to keep the windows open as often as you can to air out the car and prevent mould from growing.
Regular cleaning and conditioning of your leather items can prevent mould from growing. This is especially important for leather clothing and shoes. These items will pick up sweat and oils from your body which can create an environment for mould to grow.
You could also consider using silica gel pouches placed inside leather clothing and shoes to absorb excess moisture. This will reduce the chance of mould growing because the item will be drier.
If your leather items are exposed to moisture. For example, if you wear your leather shoes or leather jacket out in the rain, they will need to be dried before you store them away. If you store wet leather, then this can create a breeding ground for mould to grow.
It is best to air-dry leather items. Speeding up drying through heat or sunlight exposure runs the risk of removing the natural oils from the leather which can cause it to crack.
Aim to take your leather items out of storage once or twice a year to check for evidence of mould growth. Mould can be sneaky and it can be difficult to spot in its early growth stages. If you manage to catch it early, however, it is far easier to deal with.
Mould looks unsightly, gives off an unpleasant smell, and can damage leather items. But mould can also be a risk to your health.
All types of mould can give off allergens. These are substances that can trigger an allergic reaction. If you have an allergy to mould, then being exposed through touching or inhaling mould spores can:
Even if you aren't allergic to mould spores, inhaling them can cause respiratory problems and infections. Some types of mould give off toxic substances which can cause more serious health issues.
We are experts in leather and we understand how important your leather items are to you. If you are concerned about mould growth and want some help with how to remove it and restore your leather item, we can help. There are a variety of methods and substances that will effectively kill mould and clean your leather, and we have the experience and knowledge to select the best ones for each type of leather item.
Mould is a common problem and can often be found growing on leather items that have been kept in dark, humid, and warm environments. If left untreated, it can permanently damage the leather surface so tackling the problem quickly is key. Mould can be killed with white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide. Once it is dead, the leather will need to be cleaned thoroughly with mild soap, leather cleaner, or saddle soap to fully remove the mould.
