Removing white mould from leather?

[Turnip]

Hi folks, Hope you're all doing ok in these weird times!

Decided to check on some stored kit yesterday only to find 2 of my leather sheaths are covered in white mould, they've been stored with others and the rest are fine so not sure what that's all about!? Anyway, does anyone have any ideas on how best to 1) remove the mould without ruining the sheaths and 2) stop it from happening again?
They were stored wrapped in paper, put in a plastic box with a silicone block in there to soak up moisture.

Thanks in advance for your help, as always guys it's very much appreciated!

Cheers

Jon

 

[Fadcode]

Mould is usually from the oils and sweat off your hand when handling the sheath, best to handle the sheath in a cloth, so that after poishing the sheath it isnt touched again, i wouldnt wrap them in paper as paper is basically vegetable and may promote mould growth,.
Try baby wipes to remove the mould, then treat with some wax, wrap the sheath in bubble wrap, I store my sheaths in a draw (all 60 of them) and have never had a problem with mould, I dont wrap them in anything, and they all have been treated with ren wax.

 

[swotty]

I'd use saddle soap and then wax.

Sent from Somerset using magic

 

[xellos99]

its a swine once it starts, i hit it with mould killer chemicals once and then wipe off before it gets a chance to soak into the leather.

i made the mistake of putting neatsfoot oil on leather years ago and there was a mould explosion a few months later

 

[Turnip]

Thanks for your help everyone. I've saddle soaped them this afternoon and they've cleaned up great, now just need to decide what to treat them with before going back into storage!

 

[Turnip]

Mould is usually from the oils and sweat off your hand when handling the sheath, best to handle the sheath in a cloth, so that after poishing the sheath it isnt touched again, i wouldnt wrap them in paper as paper is basically vegetable and may promote mould growth,.
Try baby wipes to remove the mould, then treat with some wax, wrap the sheath in bubble wrap, I store my sheaths in a draw (all 60 of them) and have never had a problem with mould, I dont wrap them in anything, and they all have been treated with ren wax.

Cheers for the advice mate. There shouldnt have been anything from my hands as I wore gloves when cleaning them for storage, but you never know! All the others were treated the same and were fine so the only thing I can think was possibly one was just slightly damp still? who knows!
When you say ren wax, do you mean renaissance wax?

 

[Turnip]

I'd use saddle soap and then wax.

Sent from Somerset using magic

Cheers mate, saddle soap cleaned them up a treat!

 

[Turnip]

its a swine once it starts, i hit it with mould killer chemicals once and then wipe off before it gets a chance to soak into the leather.

i made the mistake of putting neatsfoot oil on leather years ago and there was a mould explosion a few months later

I've just cleaned up with some saddle soap, think I've been lucky as there doesnt appear to be any damage to the leather!
Yea I treated them with natural leather balm so might try something else now!

 

[swotty]

Cheers mate, saddle soap cleaned them up a treat!

Excellent....it's good stuff

Sent from Somerset using magic

 

[moocher]

Had similar issue with a knife an sheath in cardboard box under my bed, used furniture polish and it worked I have left it on top of a fridgefreezer to air By a window for a week as well

 

[Silverclaws2]

Saddle soap and leather balm.

 

[Robson Valley]

I lived in Australia for some years. Most leather mold I saw was blue. No matter.
Cover or enclose nothing. All air circulation and thus low humidity is your friend.
Standard wipe was the standard biology laboratory bench surface sterilant = 10% chlorine bleach.
The smell evaporates in minutes.

 

[greenshooots]

dont use saddle soap clean with a solution of water and white vinegar, allow to dry and use ko cho line to enrich leather

greenshoots

 

[Kadushu]

I've just cleaned up with some saddle soap, think I've been lucky as there doesnt appear to be any damage to the leather!
Yea I treated them with natural leather balm so might try something else now!

How did this turn out? Yesterday I took out my air rifle, which probably hasn't been used since the summer, and was shocked to find the leather sling covered in mould. :-(

 

[birchwood]

How did this turn out? Yesterday I took out my air rifle, which probably hasn't been used since the summer, and was shocked to find the leather sling covered in mould. :-(

View attachment 77268

Clean it with a damp rag then saddle soap or other leather 'food'
My tack has gone mouldy this year and it's in the house. I haven't had the heating on much.