How to Remove Mildew From Leather Jackets

Leather is one of the surfaces that mold just loves. If you don't wear your leather jacket for awhile, mildew can form in any moist, dark area. The leather conditioners applied to protect your jacket contain oil, and when you use too much your leather jacket can become too moist, causing mildew to form. To remove mildew from leather jackets, you need to treat the jacket inside and out.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon bristled scrub brush
• Vaseline
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water
• Clean cloth
• Saddle soap

Instructions

How to Remove Mildew From Leather Jackets

1. Hang your jacket outside in a sunny area for three hours. Remove mildew from your jacket with a nylon bristled scrub brush. Brush the jacket outdoors so you don't release mold spores in your house.

2. Mix one cup of rubbing alcohol and one cup of water. Moisten a cloth with the mixture and then rub mildew off your leather jacket. Allow it to air dry.

3. Clean your mildewed leather jacket with saddle soap used to clean leather saddles. Wipe the suds away with a damp cloth and dry it in an open place with a lot of circulating air.

4. Rub mildew stains from your leather jacket with Vaseline or another type of petroleum jelly. Repeat if necessary.

5. Ask your local cleaner if they have experience removing mildew from leather jackets. An experienced cleaner will do the best job removing mildew from your expensive jacket.

Tips & Warnings

• After cleaning your jacket, turn it inside out and clean the inside.

• Test all cleaning solutions in a hidden area to be sure they don't discolor or damage the leather.

Resources

• Mildew Prevention and Removal