niel35
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posted on February 25, 2005 06:20:47 PM new
I bot a case of 10 buffalo hide new wallets. when I got them home, they had mildew on them, and a strong odor of mildew. I washed them off with vinegar, put them out in the sun and then put them in a plastic bag with Bounce softener that you put in the dryer. Still a strong odor. Anybody have any ideas on how to handle this.
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sanmar
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posted on February 25, 2005 06:25:26 PM new
Try a weak solutiom of bleach, this might do the job.
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
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niel35
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posted on February 25, 2005 06:33:53 PM new
Geez, San - bleach on leather????
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glassgrl
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posted on February 25, 2005 06:38:59 PM new
eewwwwh - throw them AWAY!
use the bleach on your hands after you've touched them!
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sparkz
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posted on February 25, 2005 06:39:03 PM new
Put about 5 brand new twenty dollar bills in one of the wallets. Leave them in for 24 hours. The ink and the paper will absorb the mildew odor. This proceedure will leave the cash smelling like mildew, so it's essential that you go to town and spend that nasty stuff as quickly as possible.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
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OhMsLucy
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posted on February 25, 2005 07:01:36 PM new
I'm not sure you can solve the problem. As Sanmar said, chlorine bleach is effective against mildew but it will also destroy leather.
You might try putting the wallets inside a big container you can close up. Put a small glass or jar that's filled with cotton balls (saturated in full-strength bleach) in with them. Cover it up, wait a couple of days and hope for the best.
The idea is the fumes from the bleach will kill the mildew. Hopefully it won't also kill the leather.
This is one of those "If she dies, she dies" situations... 
Lucy
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sparkz
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posted on February 25, 2005 07:06:04 PM new
Call a taxidermist and see what they suggest.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
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kiara
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posted on February 25, 2005 07:06:32 PM new
This site has some advice.
"To remove mildew from leather goods, wipe with a cloth moistened with diluted alcohol (1 cup denatured or rubbing alcohol to 1 cup water). Dry in a current of air. If mildew remains, wash with thick suds made from a mild soap or detergent, saddle soap, or a soap containing a germicide or fungicide.
Then wipe with a damp cloth and dry in an airy place. Polish leather shoes and luggage
with a good wax dressing."
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod02/01500041.html
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classicrock000
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posted on February 25, 2005 07:54:34 PM new
I usually have moths in my wallet
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Japerton
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posted on February 25, 2005 09:52:20 PM new
It is very hard to get mildew out of leather.
It is a fungus. All those little strands of hyphae are still going to be there, deep inside the "tissue" that is leather.
Bleach will kill the leather, so will vinegar. No matter how dilute, it's a harsh toke on the leather. One is a strong base the other a fairly strong "weak acid" so they are not healthy for leather.
Plus these days you don't need the "old wives tales" of those items.
Try: www.leathertherapy.com
It's highly recommended, I've used it on moldy tack combined with a strong "bake" in the sun during our HOT DRY summer days.
I have rescued two bridles, a cavesson, and some vintage leather-backed brushes that I were sure were a write off.
Also, mention in the auction of the mold problem. There are people with allergies.
PS edited to add, I have also tried the alcohol. It's not bad, but the mold came back.
Unless you do a soak, the little fungi will just move on out again.
Check out:
http://www.leathertherapy.com/moldmildew.html#top
[ edited by Japerton on Feb 25, 2005 09:56 PM ]
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niel35
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posted on February 26, 2005 03:47:34 AM new
Thanks for all your good advice. At this point I don't think they are salvageable. Maybe I will just put them in a yard sale and get rid of them that way. I have been coughing and sneezing ever since I bot them.
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classicrock000
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posted on February 26, 2005 04:07:38 AM new
yard sale??? where do you live? just wanna make sure I dont accidently stop by and buy them.
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niel35
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posted on February 26, 2005 04:04:00 PM new
Rock - were do you live? I want to send you one as a gift. I ordered some leather cleaner from one of the replies. Lets see if that helps.
thanks again, gang.
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sanmar
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posted on February 26, 2005 04:17:00 PM new
I don't care what you all say about bleach, but a weak soulition 1 part bleach to 20 parts H2O) ir will kill the odor. Then clean & moisturize with saddle soap. I did this with a pair of shoes that had been stored in a garage for a couple of years, & it worked great
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
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niel35
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posted on February 26, 2005 05:06:55 PM new
OK San - will give it a try. Nothing to lose
appreciate it
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classicrock000
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posted on February 26, 2005 06:49:54 PM new
niel35-try a blow torch,that should clean them<snicker>
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niel35
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posted on February 26, 2005 07:11:04 PM new
rite on rock - would save me a lot of work, time and trouble
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Japerton
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posted on February 26, 2005 07:13:48 PM new
With 10 wallets you could try all methods!
One, of course would be the control.
Just remember: the surface where you smell and see the mold is where the reproductive process has occurred. That is, they are moving on to another food source: your towels, your carpet, your...whatever.
So it will grow back out unless you fungacide it throughout.
Good luck!
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glassgrl
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posted on February 26, 2005 07:24:39 PM new
make sure you leave them outside or something.
mold spreads since it's a growing organism.
do you really want that on all your other stuff?
even insurance companies won't cover mold and mildew anymore.
you've got to be insane to think your health is worth more than these wallets.
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classicrock000
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posted on February 26, 2005 07:31:00 PM new
yea whatever you do,dont leave them in your jockey shorts.
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niel35
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posted on February 27, 2005 04:44:18 AM new
You'll really have me scared now. They have been in the house for at least 2 weeks. I just put them in the garage. Very dry out there. However, I think the trash can is the answer at this point. I ordered the leather cleaner as suggested but it would be difficult to get in the cracks and corners so think I will absorb my losses. Rock, no jockey shorts around here - just a bra or two. LOL
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classicrock000
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posted on February 27, 2005 05:03:55 AM new
Well there ya go niel-with your name I assumed you were a male all this time. lol
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