Mouldy Leather

[Shantara]

I was rooting around in Ned's boxes and some of the leather in there has grown mould! Thankfully it's not stuff that I use often, but it's still annoying.

Anyone know how to get rid of it? Do I just clean it off, or is there something I should put on it?

 

[fidleyspromise]

When in the past I found tack that was mouldy, I just gave it a good clean, and it came up fine.

 

[claribella]

Yeah same. I just cleaning with a bit of water and it seems to come off.

 

[horsemadelsie]

oooh, I love cleaning mouldy leather strange I know!! A friend of mine always used to let her tack go mouldy, it is fine, just make sure you use a product that will absorb it back into the leather as it were, not rub the whole thing off. Normal saddle soap will be fine, or something conditioning, don't use a 'remove everything' cleaning spray. And make sure you get into all the little nooks and crannies or it'll grow back faster next time!
You can sometimes find leather cleaning products that will inhibit the growth of mould, a good idea if you are storing tack long term

 

[Joanna710]

oooh, I love cleaning mouldy leather strange I know!!

Me too! There's something so satisfying about comparing the before and after... I normally leave one cheekpiece til the very end so I can hold it up against the sparkly clean bits. How sad!

But back to the OP. Mouldy leather scrubs up a treat, just use normal saddle soap and make sure you get into all the crooks and grannies. It's all been said above already

 

[asommerville]

try urad its brilliant

 

[horsemadelsie]

I normally leave one cheekpiece til the very end so I can hold it up against the sparkly clean bits. How sad!

Me too!!! Glad I'm not the only one!

 

[Shantara]

Thanks guys Will give it a clean tomorrow!

 

[Honey08]

It seems to be well oiled/cleaned leather that goes mouldy - I often wonder if its the soap on it that goes mouldy. Dry leather doesn't so much!

 

[FionaM12]

It seems to be well oiled/cleaned leather that goes mouldy - I often wonder if its the soap on it that goes mouldy. Dry leather doesn't so much!

Yes, I've always thought it was the oils and products on the surface which we use the keep the leather moist, that the mould grows on rather than the leather.

Do you think it does the stitching any harm?

 

[Honey08]

In the longterm it probably doesn't do it any good (mould on the stitching) but can't see its any worse than rain, sweat, oil or any other damp.. It will all gradually erode the thread.

Re the stitching, if you've not used something for a while, give it a good pull to see if you can pull the stitching loose - if it gives at all its not good. All stitching should be checked by a saddler really once in a while.

 

[Shantara]

It seems to be well oiled/cleaned leather that goes mouldy - I often wonder if its the soap on it that goes mouldy. Dry leather doesn't so much!

Yes! It's seems you're right. All the stuff is 2nd hand, but the bits that have gone mouldy are the well oiled/cleaned bits. All my dry stuff is fine.