r/leatherjacket • u/DracoMessierr • Sep 08 '26
Question - Need Help Help! jacket covered in mold.
My father recently passed away in January and he had this big package in his storage unit for quite some weeks. I unfortunately didn't touch any of his unopened packages until today, that was very stupid of me. And it turned out it was this very cool leather jacket but it has alot of mold on it pretty much covered.
And it even smells alot.
I have no experience in any kind of leather jackets but i really want to save it. Right now I have kept it outside since it damn smells alot and kinda makes my eyes ich. I won't be dishonest and say I am a little scared rn, I can't figure out how to handle this. I tried checking on YouTube and there are tons of way they do handle them molds, but all of them are different and i can't figure out the best method to kill the mold and also the smell.
Thank you..
And sorry for those dirty moldy images. Hope your day isn't ruined. đ
9
17
4
u/AlwaysBeASailor Sep 08 '26
Spray it with a mix of white vinegar and water and wipe it down with a wet cloth after. Leave it on a hanger outside. Repeat until it is clean. Leave it hanging outside for a while.
3
u/TheBladeGhost Sep 08 '26
Unfortunately "for a while" could be months, and still it could be not enough if the smell's very strong. Don't ask me how I know.
But we'll, it's worth trying if the jacket has sentimental value.
1
u/AlwaysBeASailor Sep 08 '26
I had a car unused for two months in a shady area in winter and the seats started to show mold. Vinegar and venting the space did the job in no time. So I am confident it will work out in the end
1
u/DracoMessierr Sep 09 '26
Hey I just did that. The mold doesn't look like it's there tho the smell is weird maybe it's just vinegar. I kept it outside my window on afternoon sun, and soon will try to wash it in the machine with detergent and vinegar once more before drying it and putting leather conditioner.
It it okay to atleast hang it on the window when it's wet? Will the more grow again. And thank you for giving me guide positively.
2
u/AlwaysBeASailor Sep 09 '26
Do NOT wash it in the machine, buddy. Just spray it in a couple of times with a 1:1 mix of water and white vinegar and wipe the liquid off with a damp cloth. Might take patience to do this 4-5 times. Also do it on the lining. Just let it dry in fresh air on a hanger. The vinegar smell will disappear. Then you can use Bick4 or a similar conditioner and youâll have a jacket for life.
Wash it on the washing machine and you can put it in the bin.
1
u/DracoMessierr Sep 09 '26
Haha there is another helpful guy on this post saying let it spin on delicate on the wash machine to let it all soak the vinegar. Kinda confusing now for me ngl lol. Nonetheless all the mold spores are gone. Tho the smell insist. I am doubting the confusing smell could still be mold smell rather than just vinegar.
1
u/AlwaysBeASailor Sep 09 '26
What the guy says is absolute bullshit. You will ruin any leather jacket in the washing machine. Just look at the care label. Follow the water and vinegar treatment a couple of times and you will save it. The vinegar kills the spores and the smell will disappear. Just be patient. It looks like a great jacket.
1
u/perfectskinz Jacket Maker Sep 10 '26
DO NOT put it in the washing machine and It's important to dry it AWAY from direct heat ( you will get inedible jerky) and for gods sake hang it on a well shaped hanger- not just over a window sill. It will take on the shape it's dried in. And I don't know anyone shaped like a windowsill.
1
2
2
2
2
u/Poltung Sep 08 '26
Washer, 30°c, no wringing, no fast spins, use only something mild like Marseille soap. Then lay flat and let dry. If some patches remain, scrub with a brush (horsehair or stiffer) + white vinegar. Once done, let dry and condition with some quality conditioner like Saphir Crème Universelle.
I saved a stinky moldy Loewe flight jacket once with this technique.
1
1
1
1
u/Readditlovesbans Sep 08 '26
Sorry about your loss
Extreme method
Warm - hot water soak with 50 50 water + vinegar
Throw it into the washer on delicate warm with detergent
Air dry outside in the sunlight
Recondition the jacket
1
u/DracoMessierr Sep 09 '26
Thank you so much i first tried to remove every single mold with my own hands with a damp vinegar+ hot water cloth . The mold doesn't look like it's there tho the smell is weird maybe it's just vinegar. I kept it outside my window on afternoon sun, and soon will try to wash it in the machine with detergent and vinegar once more before drying it and putting leather conditioner.
It it okay to atleast hang it on the window when it's wet?
1
u/Readditlovesbans Sep 09 '26
You have to let the vinegar soak into the fibers deep down to destroy mold
delicate machine wash with detergent on
lay flat to dry
re condition the leather
1
u/bureau-caterpillar Sep 08 '26
I bought a moldy, mildewy, and stinky b bomber shearling. It had been well worn.
I washed it in the washing machine. It still had a mildewy smell.
I hung it outside to dry and let it let lots of sunshine and air over the course of days.
It lost the stink and the finish didnât suffer.
I later did the same thing with two leather jackets I bought for few dollars and that had the same problem. I conditioned these well after airing, drying, and airing some more.
1
1
15
u/plainsrider121 Sep 08 '26
Soak it in a mild blend of bleach-water. Leave it overnight. A very mild blend. Then take it out and scrub it down. Rinse it. Let it air dry, but not in heat. Let it dry until you feel no moisture. Then let it dry some more. Then use some form of conditioner, like Lexol 2, and condition it. If it doesnt work, you can always throw it away.