How To Remove Mould From Leather

• What causes mould on leather?
• The challenges of removing mould from leather
• Why you should not remove mould from leather yourself
• How to prevent mould on leather
• Contact us today

Unsightly fuzzy patches and discolouration on leather furniture and clothes can ruin the look of your expensive, luxury possessions. Mould can also cause leather to degrade over time. You must bring in professional cleaners as soon as you spot mould in your home to protect your property and health against the fungus. 

Here at ICE Cleaning, our technicians are available nationwide, day and night, 365 days a year to deliver our long-term mould remediation services. In an emergency, they can be on site within several hours, no matter where you are in the UK. 

Continue reading to find out how to remove mould growing on leather.

What causes mould on leather?

Mould grows in environments that contain excess moisture, organic material, warmth, and oxygen. As leather is organic, any presence of moisture or dampness can make it a hotspot for mould.

The main culprits behind mould growth on leather are excess humidity and poor ventilation. Here are some specific examples of what can cause mould on leather:

• You are storing your leather jacket in a damp corner of your wardrobe which contains too many things
• Rain is seeping into your car and getting onto your leather upholstery (you can learn more about mould growth in cars here)
• Your leather furniture is too close to the wall so air cannot circulate freely
• You are not ensuring your leather items are dry completely after they get wet 

The challenges of removing mould from leather

As an organic material with a porous surface, leather provides mould with the ideal surface for growth. It can grow deep in its pores and evade treatment with the DIY mould removal methods shared online. 

Not only are these treatments ineffective, they can damage your delicate leather goods. Harsh chemicals for instance, like alcohol-based solutions, can strip away natural oils. This can cause dryness and cracking, and make your item's colour fade.

To ensure you get rid of all the mould, bring in professional mould cleaners. They will have the training and experience to remove the fungus from any surface. 

Why you should not remove mould from leather yourself

Not only is leather a difficult surface to clean, mould remediation is a dangerous process. Cleaning mould will put you at risk of inhaling, touching, and ingesting mould, and therefore health issues.

You might not be able to remove all traces of the mould, either. Any left behind will simply grow back and spread across the leather again. 

Professional cleaners will have the personal protective equipment, training, and specialist cleaning products for a safe, thorough clean.

They will understand how different types of leather react to various cleaning agents to prevent damage occurring. They can even ensure every nook of the affected area gets attention. They can even pinpoint the specific cause of the mould and advise on how to prevent your mould problems returning. 

How to prevent mould on leather

First, make sure you keep your leather goods dry. Wipe up any spills immediately and store your items in well-ventilated areas where air circulates freely.

Don't forget to regularly clean your leather goods, too. Oils and dirt can provide mould with more organic material to feed off. A gentle wipe with a soft cloth slightly dampened with specialised leather cleaner will do the trick nicely. Avoid dousing the leather and ensure it is air dried before you put it away. 

Put desiccants and dehumidifiers inside storage containers or closets where you stash your leathery treasures. They pull moisture from their surroundings, reducing the humidity level.

Mould is a common problem in closets and wardrobes, mainly due to the poor air flow inside of them. You can learn more about what causes mould in wardrobes in this blog. 

You should also apply a leather conditioner to help maintain leather’s supple nature and protect it against fungus. Apply every few months depending upon usage frequency and environmental conditions. You can find out more about how to care for your leather here. 

Keep leather furniture away from the wall so air can freely circulate around it and dislodge any pockets of stale, humid air, as well.

Contact us today

Our nine-stage mould treatment process can eliminate all the mould in your home, including mould spores in the air. Every mould removal comes with a lifetime guarantee*, as well. If the mould comes back, our Dewpoint-accredited technicians will remove it for free. 

You can find out more about our mould cleaning services by calling 0208 066 0360 or sending an email to enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. 

*subject to advisories