How to Remove the Musty Smell from Leather

Used leather handbags may wind up in thrift shops due to bad smells. The fix is simple!

Products made from leather are very durable and can last for years. As it ages, however, leather can start to smell stale or musty. This is, especially, common if it is stored in damp or poorly lit areas. Don't despair, however. This does not mean it's time to toss Dad's old leather jacket or a favorite family chair. A few simple steps will soon have your leather furniture, clothing or accessory smelling as good as new.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda Soft brush (a baby hairbrush works well) Saddle soap Soft clean cloth Sponge Garbage bag with twist tie Armor All or similar product

Instructions

How to Remove the Musty Smell from Leather

1. Brush off any dirt, dust or debris using a hairbrush made for baby hair. The soft bristles will dislodge dirt without marring the leather. Dislodging the dirt particles before cleaning the leather helps you achieve more positive results.

2. 

   Wipe down the leather with a damp sponge. Make sure that almost all of the water is squeezed from the sponge before performing this task and use only cool water.

3. Open a new box of baking soda. It must be new and unopened for it to work. Place the leather item (if it is small enough to fit) inside the garbage bag. Place the bag on a sturdy table or floor where it won't be disturbed. Set the open box of baking soda inside as well. Seal the bag with the twist tie. Allow it to sit undisturbed for several hours. The musty smell will be absorbed into the fresh baking soda. If there is still an odor after this process, there are other options for eliminating the smell.

4. Remove the leather item from the bag. Put some saddle soap on a clean and dry soft cloth; massage it into the leather, all over the item. Wipe away any excess with another dry cloth.

5. 

   Smell the leather. If any odor remains, go over the entire piece with a product like Armor All, which is made for leather and vinyl car interiors. This should take care of removing any leftover musty smells.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a piece of leather furniture that smells musty and it is too large to fit into a garbage bag, consider purchasing some plastic sheeting to encase the piece. This will allow the baking soda to absorb as much of the musty smell as possible.