Any leather workers here?

[Ultradog MN]

I bought this holster last summer.
It looks like it may have been in a damp location and has some white stuff - maybe mildew? on it.
I'll likely never wear it but I'd like to clean it some how and re oil it.
Any leather guys have advice or suggestions for me?

 

[Texasmark]

Not a leather guy and don't know how to fix....Neatsfoot (Kneatsfoot ?) Oil maybe.....but I have leather jackets that sit in the closet and mildew over time just like that If I don't take them out and wear them.

 

[Stephen Newell]

It's white mold, any leather cleaner would easily take that off. If you don't want to purchase any you can use furniture polish.

 

[Tony in SD]

X2 on Neets. That is what my leather guy uses.

 

[TimV]

I use saddle soap and a brush, but as mentioned, nearly anything will remove it. Neat's foot oil will darken the leather a bit--may not be a problem to you, but so you're aware beforehand if it is.

 

[RESLLS]

Know anybody with a horse. They'll have what you need. This is what I use on holsters, boots and saddles/reins. My leather La-Z-Boy too!
Fiebings.

 

[caterpillar guy]

I use Neats foot oil on my work shoes.

 

[BillinCentralMO]

Cobbler sold me some Saphir Universelle Leather conditioner. Ill never use anything else. You can buy it on Amazon. Also , saddle soap is a cleaner , not a moisturizer.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

This happens to our saddlery and Drizabones [ storm coats/ sou' westers ] a lot .
The sun is your friend , an afternoon in the sun , being turned over so that every surface is exposed to UV will kill all the mildew spores . After this wipe with warm water and mild detergent , dry , wipe with a weak vinegar and water mix , dry again in the sun then oil with whatever you like . If kept in a dry place it will never reoccur .

 

[marcusmerritt]

I have a black leather holster that had similar mildew. I washed it with soap and water and bought a small mister in which I'm gonna mix tea tree oil and water. Then will spray the holster with that mix. The tea tree oil mix is supposed to kill the root mildew. We'll see.

As a kid I had a leather ammo belt that held .22 cartridges. Looked cool when loaded up with cartridges but they all turned green and looked a mess. I guess the leather of the ammo loops had some kind of chemical in them that caused the ammo brass to turn green.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Tea tree oil is used as a natural ingredient to help with treatment of toenail fungus infection. It does seem to 'react', kills a lot of
skin around the area (which can't be prevented) but I think it's effectiveness on what it is supposed to cure or help with is a matter of
opinion and certainly not substantiated. Maybe it will work on your situation, who knows?

 

[Phil T]

As I see it , the problem with neats foot oil is catching a neat to to take the oil out of his feet. LOL

 

[Ultradog MN]

I'll be going by a saddle shop on my way up to hunt tomorrow so will stop in and ask there.
Maybe buy some saddle soap.
My gun friend Steve stopped by this afternoon so I asked him about it.
He seemed to know less than you guys do but also suggested neatsfoot oil.
When I showed him the can I have here his first reaction was to say:
Oh, the hardcore stuff.
I had to laugh.
Thanks to all!

 

[dahlin]

I think saddle soap would do the job and then neets should be good to go.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Just a follow up.
I've e been sitting in my deer blind for the last two days. No deer around so I've had time on my hands.
I used windex, an old tooth brush and a rag to wash the mildew off then let it dry and applied two coats of neatsfoot.
The mold did discolor the leather in a few places but it looks much more respectable now.
I will probably put another coat or two on.