main-logo
  • Fire, Water & Mold
    • Water Damage Restoration
    • Fire Damage Restoration
    • Drying & Dehumidification
    • HVAC Decontamination
    • What is Black Mold?
    • Insurance Restoration
  • Commercial
    • COVID-19 Cleaning & Decontamination Services
    • Commercial Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
    • Commercial Water Damage Restoration
    • Document & Media Recovery
    • Commercial Mold Remediation
    • Commercial Cleaning Services
    • Priority Disaster Response Program
  • Residential
    • Residential Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
    • Residential Water Damage Restoration
    • Residential Mold Remediation
  • Construction
    • Residential Construction
    • Commercial Construction
    • Multi-Family Construction
    • Controlled Demolitions
  • Disasters
    • Residential Disaster Recovery
    • Commercial Disaster Recovery
    • Emergency Repairs
    • Emergency Board-Up Services
    • Storm Damage Repairs
    • Natural Disasters
    • Biohazard Cleanup
    • Personal Effects Recovery
    • Packout Restoration Services
    • Aviation & Transportation Incidents
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Our Reviews
    • Our History
    • Our Clients
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Business Opportunities
    • Contact Us
×
  • Fire, Water & Mold
    • Water Damage Restoration
    • Fire Damage Restoration
    • Drying & Dehumidification
    • HVAC Decontamination
    • What is Black Mold?
    • Insurance Restoration
  • Commercial
    • COVID-19 Cleaning & Decontamination Services
    • Commercial Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
    • Commercial Water Damage Restoration
    • Document & Media Recovery
    • Commercial Mold Remediation
    • Commercial Cleaning Services
    • Priority Disaster Response Program
  • Residential
    • Residential Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
    • Residential Water Damage Restoration
    • Residential Mold Remediation
  • Construction
    • Residential Construction
    • Commercial Construction
    • Multi-Family Construction
    • Controlled Demolitions
  • Disasters
    • Residential Disaster Recovery
    • Commercial Disaster Recovery
    • Emergency Repairs
    • Emergency Board-Up Services
    • Storm Damage Repairs
    • Natural Disasters
    • Biohazard Cleanup
    • Personal Effects Recovery
    • Packout Restoration Services
    • Aviation & Transportation Incidents
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Our Reviews
    • Our History
    • Our Clients
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Business Opportunities
    • Contact Us
24-Hour Response
877-899-0676
24-Hour Response
877-899-0676

How to Remove Mold From Leather

Home / Helpful Tips / How to Remove Mold From Leather
July 15, 2019

How to Remove Mold From LeatherMold buildup may be the number one reason the average lifespan of even superior-quality furniture has been reduced to 7.8 years. But that doesn’t mean it is the end of the world if you see mold creeping onto your favorite couch before the expected expiry date.

Consider yourself lucky if you spot this culprit before it causes more damage to your furniture. If that’s the case, acting fast is your next best option.

Here’s how to remove mold from leather and stop it from ruining your prized possessions:

Identify Mold and Mildew

Before we talk about mold removal in detail, let’s address the confusion people often have about mold and mildew. Both of them are classified as fungi, thrive in warm and moist places, and cause long-term health issues if not dealt with immediately. But they are not the same thing, which means cleaning one is different than cleaning the other.

There’s one quick way to tell the difference between mold and mildew. The color of mold is black or green, while mildew appears white, gray, or yellowish.

Now that we got that out of the way let’s go over the supplies you need to remove mold from your furniture.

Use Proper Equipment

Prepare everything you need before taking on the big task of leather mold removal. Because we are dealing with leather, you should only use appropriate supplies for this type of material. You would not want to ruin your leather furniture through another means while trying to rid it of mold buildup.

Gather all these goods for cleaning:

  • Dry clean cloth
  • Soft bristle brush
  • Sponge
  • Mild soap or detergent
  • Warm water
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton swab
  • Vacuum with upholstery attachments

Include these items in your preparation to prevent the mold from transferring to different parts of your body:

  • Rubber gloves
  • Face mask

Remove Mold From Leather the Right Way

A quick search on the web will show you various ways to remove the pesky mold growth from your leather furniture. Here, we offer you a comprehensive option to deep-clean your stuff and stop the spores from creating more damage.

  1. Take the Mold-Infested Item/s Outside

The interesting yet annoying fact about mold is that it only needs one spore to start its colony. So you have to stop those spores from multiplying right away. Otherwise, they can spread to other areas of your house. This means you have to take the leather items outside for thorough cleaning.

Make sure to wear rubber gloves and a face mask to prevent the mold from getting to your body. Once you’re properly equipped, you can initiate the cleaning. First, take your dry, clean cloth or soft-bristled brush and scrub away the spores.

Next, pay attention to storage. If your leather items are stored in paper boxes, it is better to discard these containers. If they’re placed in fabric containers or hanging bags, wash these storage supplies in hot water. Then go for the kill; use high heat to eliminate the remaining spores. Also, each of the leather goods that are kept in the closet should be vacuumed while you empty out the area. Apply a hydrogen peroxide solution to wipe down the walls and floor, letting them dry all the way before returning the items.

Also, keep in mind that mold loves humid areas. So if you notice your storage area is humid, you can buy a dehumidifier to thwart another mold invasion.

2. Soap It All Up

Now we’ve arrived at the exciting part: cleaning with soap. Mix up warm water and mild detergent solution in a small plastic container or bucket. You would want to use dish soap or laundry detergent free of bleaching agents, dyes, or fragrances. Or go for a leather saddle soap instead if you have it on hand. It’s all about gentle cleaning when your leather furniture or other items are involved.

Next, soak a clean cloth or sponge in the solution and use it to wipe down the entire leather surface and interior. Reach for the crevices and corners if you can. Then soak another piece of clean cloth in plain water, which you can use to wipe away soap residue.

Once you’re done, place the items on a flat surface to air dry. However, be wary about putting them near direct heat or under the sun. If you want your items to dry faster, recirculate air by pointing a fan in their direction. The leather parts should dry completely before proceeding to the third step.

3. Kill All the Spores

You’ve probably noticed that killing all the spores is a huge step in how to remove mold from leather. As we said, it takes only one spore to create a colony. You have to be sure no spores are hiding in the hard-to-reach sections of your leather items. Below is our recommended procedure to achieve success.

In a clean container, mix equal parts of plain cool water and rubbing alcohol. Dip a clean cloth in the mixture and use it to wipe down the leather. If you’re handling mold in shoes, reach for the gaps with a cotton swab.

Apply the rinse afterward just like you did with the two previous steps. Then air-dry the items once more. In order to keep the shape of shoes and boots, stuff them with clean white paper. Avoid crumpling newspaper even if that seems convenient because you can end up staining your socks and feet with ink when you wear the shoes.

4. Recondition the Leather

So you’re done drying the leather for the umpteenth time. Now what? The thing is, the process does not end with removing the mold. It is only the beginning. You will have to treat the leather to avoid downgrading the material.

How does it work? So leather is a natural product that contains oil, which means it requires proper maintenance post-mold elimination. Skipping this part can lead to surface cracks. This is the result of the oil expanding due to the changing temperatures.

To prevent that from happening, take the time to apply a leather conditioner to your items. This product is included in the things you need to prepare before cleaning. You can buy leather conditioners in the cleaning sections of retail stores or online. So as soon as the leather item dries, use the conditioner to keep the oil at its proper state. Meaning, the leather will return the finish to a supple touch, preserving its surface and making it look newer.

How To Prevent Mold Growth on Leather

After going through all the steps above, you probably do not want another mold infestation to catch you off-guard. The key now is to be proactive and practice good prevention. This is the ideal situation for anyone who has ever learned how to remove mold from leather out of necessity. History repeating itself – that is, the return of mold growth – isn’t a good look on your leather furniture or item.

Thus, you’ll be better off investing your time, money, and energy into conducting the following preventative measures:

  • Control the environment of your leather item storage areas. Check for the temperature, humidity, and airflow regularly to keep them at optimal levels.
  • Clean your storage areas periodically. Mold thrives on natural products like leather; they can easily turn this material into a feeding and breeding ground. You can observe this phenomenon with dirty clothes with food or mud debris, where mold colony growth exists if not attended to immediately. In that case, don’t try storing a soiled item.
  • Reduce the moisture levels in your home by using a dehumidifier. You can also go the extra mile and start waterproofing foundations and other areas susceptible to dampness. Also, something as simple as keeping the windows open and fans running, can improve and increase air circulation, allowing everything to stay dry.
  • Spare some time to inspect all your leather items. A good rule of thumb is to take out your leather goods when the seasons change and you’re up for a wardrobe switch. Carefully check the items in a well-lit area to catch any sign of mold buildup. Another option is to use mildew inhibitors in your storage areas. These are helpful preventives for when you suspect having mold problems in places you can’t reach. You can also throw silica gel into your storage areas as it effectively absorbs air moisture.

Take Your Leather Mold Removal to the Next Level Today

Mold might be a minor inconvenience at first, but it can grow into a more serious problem the longer you leave it alone. Proactively dealing with it as soon as you spot the issue can make a world of difference. Use this guide whenever you have to get rid of mold that’s causing your leather to lose its quality.

But what if you suspect that your house has a severe mold problem? Then this calls for the service of a mold removal expert – partner with us to achieve a faster resolution. Contact us today to learn more about how we help make homes mold-free quickly and effectively.

Filed Under: Helpful Tips, Mold Remediation

Search

Subscribe to our Blog

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

  • Air Duct Cleaning
  • Carpet Cleaning
  • Disaster Recovery
  • Document Recovery
  • Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
  • General
  • Helpful Tips
  • Insurance
  • Mold Remediation
  • News & Press
  • Reconstruction
  • Restoration
  • Social Media
  • Tile & Grout Cleaning
  • Transportation
  • Upholstery & Furniture Cleaning
  • Water Damage Restoration
  • White Papers

Archives

  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015

We Service Your Area

  • Atlanta

  • Bangor

  • Boston

  • Austin

  • Charleston

  • Charlotte

  • Chicago

  • Cleveland

  • College Station

  • Columbus

  • Dallas

  • Detroit

  • Exton

  • Fort Worth

  • Harrisburg

  • Hartford

  • Houston

  • Huntingdon Valley

  • Lehigh Valley

  • Los Angeles

  • Manchester

  • Miami

  • Nashville

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Oklahoma City

  • Orlando

  • Pittsburgh

  • Philadephia Metro

  • Phoenix

  • Port Huron

  • Providence

  • San Antonio

  • San Francisco

  • Scranton

  • St. Petersburg

  • Tampa

  • Tulsa

  • Washington D.C.

  • Worcester

  • See All Locations

We Service Your Area

  • Atlanta

  • Austin

  • Boston

  • Charlotte

  • Chicago

  • Cleveland

  • College Station

  • Columbus

  • Dallas

  • Detroit

  • Fort Worth

  • Houston

  • Los Angeles

  • Miami

  • Nashville

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Oklahoma City

  • Orlando

  • Pittsburgh

  • Port Huron

  • San Antonio

  • San Francisco

  • Tulsa

  • Washington D.C.

  • See All Locations

  • Fire, Water & Mold
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • Construction
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Disasters
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map
  • CE Courses

Corporate Headquarters
5718 Airport Freeway
Haltom City, TX, 76117

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • rss
  • youtube

Copyright © 2021 - All rights reserved.