Leather is one of the first things to grow mold in a humid home. Shoes, handbags, belts, jackets and leather couches can go from fine to fuzzy in a few weeks, especially in a closed closet or a home that sat with the AC off. The good news: if you catch it early, leather can usually be cleaned.
Before You Start
- Work outside so you don’t spread spores through the house
- Wear gloves and a well-fitting mask
- Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first; leather finishes react differently
- Don’t use bleach; it can dry out and discolor leather
How to Clean Mold Off Smooth Leather
- Brush off loose mold with a soft brush, outdoors.
- Wipe with a cloth lightly dampened with a mix of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol, or water and white vinegar. Don’t soak the leather.
- Wipe again with a clean, barely damp cloth.
- Let it air dry in the shade. Direct sun and heat can crack leather.
- Condition it with a leather conditioner once fully dry, since cleaning can dry it out.
Suede, Nubuck and Valuable Pieces
Suede and nubuck stain easily with liquids. Brush gently with a suede brush and use a cleaner made for suede. For designer bags, vintage jackets or anything you’d hate to lose, a leather cleaning specialist is worth it.
Leather Couches and Chairs
Clean the surface the same way, working in small sections. Check seams, the underside and the back facing the wall. If the cushions smell musty inside, or the mold keeps coming back, the moisture may be inside the furniture or coming from the wall or floor behind it.
How to Keep Leather From Getting Moldy Again
- Keep the AC running, even when you’re traveling
- Store leather in breathable cloth dust bags, not plastic
- Give items space in the closet and leave the door cracked
- Use a small dehumidifier or moisture absorbers in closets that stay damp
- Take items out and wear or wipe them every so often
If everything in one closet keeps growing mold, read mold in your closet or on your clothes and is white mold dangerous?
Free Visual Inspection in South Florida
If mold keeps returning on your belongings, there may be a hidden leak or a humidity problem in the room. FL Cleanup offers a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera across South Florida, and handles licensed mold remediation. We answer 24/7, and hablamos español. Call 877-224-2532 or request a free visual inspection online.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
