Prevention

Keep items clean! Sweat, blood, oils and other body fluids can supply enough food for mildew to start growing. Even ordinary substances such as alcoholic beverages, sodas and juice, gasoline and body lotions can damage leather clothing and shoes. Thoroughly clean leather after each use. Wipe down with a clean, damp cloth and sanitize if necessary. Let items dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area before storing.

Storage

Leather is porous and needs to breathe. You should store your leather in an airy, dry area that is not too hot or cold and certainly not damp. Do not impede air circulation by hanging toys and clothing in a tightly packed closet. Do not store in direct contact with the flow of heating vents or near heating units and avoid direct sunlight as this will dry and fade leather. Always use sturdy, padded hangers to help preserve the shape of your leather clothing and if you choose to cover leather items use a breathable material like a cotton sheet. Avoid storing any leather items in plastic bags, plastic containers, tight drawers, car trunks, bathrooms or packed tightly into a toybag or toybox.

Mildew Removal

Mildew can attack even with proper cleaning and storage. If you discover that lovely lacey stenciling on your leathers the first step is to REMOVE the affected item outside gently and carefully. That way, you'll avoid filling the air with mold spores that will simply infect other items in the confined space.

Have a supply of old soft rags that you are willing to throw out. Start wiping away any surface mold with a wet rag. Wipe and capture as much of the mold as you can then throw the rag away. Don't rinse and reuse your rags. That only spreads the mold spores. Use an old toothbrush to clean stitching lines and crevices. Finish cleaning the leather using a water-based, pH neutral product to float away any remaining organic surface dirt that could support mold and mildew growth.

Some traditional leather cleaners contain glycerin and are not a good choice for moldy leather. Glycerin acts as a humectant, which means it tends to attract and hold moisture from the air. While that property may help leather fibers remain flexible, it also provides a lovely location for future mold and mildew growth

Dry the leather in the sun to take advantage of the disinfectant properties of the sun's ultraviolet light. (Hint: Do this on a breezy day so that there is less time the leather needs to remain in the sunlight)

Vinegar, household bleach or alcohol can also be used to remove mold and mildew from leather but do know that they can all damage the fibers, will cause excess drying of the leather and could cause extreme discoloration. For heavily mildewed leather I suggest a 50/50 mix of 70% isopropyl alcohol and water. After washing the leather as noted above spray a fine mist of the alcohol solution over the leather, wipe with a clean soft cloth and let air dry in the sun.

You will need to recondition your leather after removing mold and mildew. You have removed the villain but you have also removed the natural and impregnated leather oils that keep quality leather in top-quality condition! For superior results take your leather clothing and boots to an experienced bootblack for quality care.

Avert your own leather disaster by taking care of your toys, clothing, boots, shoes and accessories. A bit of regular maintenance and cleaning can help your items last as long as your own skin.

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