Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Cleaning Suede and Nubuck
• Method 2 of 4: Cleaning with soap
• Method 3 of 4: Cleaning with vinegar
• Method 4 of 4: Cleaning Raw Leather
• Tips
• Warnings

Whether you are dealing with leather furniture, car upholstery, shoes or a jacket, clean it immediately if mold stains appear on your skin. Be careful when doing this and test your cleaning products, both home and commercial, beforehand.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Cleaning Suede and Nubuck

1. 1 Apply a layer of Vaseline. Test the petroleum jelly on a small, inconspicuous area first. Then apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the stain. You can also use a suede cleaner, but before doing so, read the product's description to make sure it is suitable for cleaning mold from suede.
   • Nubuck can easily change color, so test the cleaner on a small area first.
2. 2 Apply an aqueous solution of rubbing alcohol. To remove more visible stains, mix equal proportions of alcohol and water. If the stain cannot be removed with petroleum jelly or suede cleaner, apply an aqueous solution of alcohol to it.
   • Test the alcohol solution on a small area of ​​the stain and make sure it does not discolor the material.
3. 3 Wipe off the mold. Dampen a soft cloth or sponge with water and gently rub petroleum jelly or suede cleaner over the material. For tougher stains, use an alcohol solution.
   • Repeat if necessary, but do not use force if the stain does not wash off. Rough handling can damage the material.
4. 4 Wait for the material to dry. Set the garment aside and let the suede or nubuck dry thoroughly. After that, restore the original texture of the material with a suede brush. A suede brush can be purchased from a shoe store or ordered online.
   • If there is still mold on the material, consult a specialist.

Method 2 of 4: Cleaning with soap

1. 1 Remove easily loose mildew. Use a soft bristled brush to do this. Try to do this outdoors to prevent mold spores from spreading throughout your home. If you've used the brush before, be sure to wash it first.
2. 2 Vacuum your skin. Remove mold from folds and seams with a vacuum cleaner. Then, immediately dispose of the dust bag to prevent mold spores from spreading throughout the house. Try to get rid of mold in your home as soon as possible.
3. 3 Treat the material with soap. Make sure you have a finished leather product that can be soaked. The finished leather has a protective coating. Take a sponge, wipe the mold stain liberally with soap, and then remove it with a damp cloth.
   • Do not wet your skin too much to avoid damaging it.
   • Check if this type of skin can be wetted. To do this, apply a small drop of water to your skin. If the water darkens or stains the material, do not use soap and water. If mildew is near the zipper, fungi and bacteria may have entered the upholstery or clothing. In this case, treat the inner surface of the material or completely get rid of the contaminated upholstery.
4. 4 Wipe your skin with diluted rubbing alcohol. Take a rag and dip it in a mixture of 1 cup (250 milliliters) denatured or isopropyl alcohol and 4 cups (1 liter) water. Wipe the material gently with a rag to remove any remaining mold. Don't wet your skin too much. Then wait for the material to dry properly.
   • Remember to use diluted rubbing alcohol if you are sure you have a finished leather product. Be sure to test the effect of the alcohol solution on a tiny area of ​​the material before using it to remove the entire stain. An aqueous solution of alcohol can damage even finished leather.
5. 5 Ventilate the interior of the upholstery (optional). If you suspect mold may have infiltrated the upholstery, ventilate it properly. Look under the upholstery and contact a professional furniture cleaner and disinfectant if you find a lot of mold.
   • Find out if the furniture cleaning company has an ozone chamber. If so, ask that your furniture be treated in such a chamber for at least 48 hours.

Method 3 of 4: Cleaning with vinegar

1. 1 Wipe the surface with a dry brush. Take a dry and stiff nylon brush and scrub the material to remove as much mold from it as possible. Mold spores spread easily through the air, so try to do it outdoors.
2. 2 Apply a mixture of vinegar and water. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and test the action of the solution on a tiny area of ​​the material. If the skin color does not change, apply a vinegar solution to the mold. Do not wet the material too much.
3. 3 Wipe off the material and let it dry. Take a soft cloth, dampen it with vinegar solution, and gently wipe down the material. Do not press on your skin to avoid damaging it. Then wait for the material to dry properly.
   • Generally, this method works well for cleaning leather shoes, although it can also be used to remove mold from other leather goods. Be sure to test the vinegar solution first to make sure it doesn't discolor your skin.

Method 4 of 4: Cleaning Raw Leather

1. 1 Use saddle soap skin care product. This product can be purchased at shoe and clothing stores or ordered online. Take a damp sponge or rag and apply a small (coin-sized) drop of this product to your skin. Rub it all over the skin so that a little lather forms.
   • Check if you are really dealing with unfinished (not covered with protective paint) leather. To do this, apply a small amount of water to an inconspicuous area of ​​the material. If the material darkens or changes color, you have raw leather.
   • There should be instructions on the packaging of the cleaning agent, read it. Apply very little to an inconspicuous area of ​​the leather product. Unfinished leather is easily damaged as it is very porous and the wrong cleaning agent can penetrate the pores and ruin the material.
   • Never use the following cleaning agents on raw leather:
     • detergents;
     • common soaps, including hand soaps, facial cleansers, and dishwashing detergents;
     • hand creams and lotions;
     • wet wipes for hands and baby wipes;
     • lanolin cream;
     • alcohol.
2. 2 Wipe off your skin. Take another damp cloth and wipe the soap off your skin. Remove soap residues completely from the material. Do not apply too much pressure to the skin to avoid damaging it.
3. 3 Wait for the material to dry. Apply saddle soap and let the skin dry overnight. Do not expose your skin to the sun, or it may shed. Also, do not place your leather product near direct heat sources. Just let the material air dry.
4. 4 Condition your skin. Once the material is dry, apply a leather conditioner to it. Do not forget to pre-check the air conditioner on an inconspicuous area. Read the instructions for the conditioner to make sure it is suitable for your skin type. Mink oil works well for most types of raw leather. You can buy leather conditioner at a clothing or shoe store.
   • Conditioning protects the skin from damage and helps to give it a new look.

Tips

• Use a dehumidifier to prevent excess moisture that promotes mold growth. There are many types of dehumidifiers on the market that vary in size and price.
• Try to remove the mold as soon as you find it, otherwise it may penetrate deeper into the upholstery, clothing or shoes and have to be thrown away.
• Contact the manufacturer for advice on suitable cleaning agents. Some manufacturers offer their own cleaning services.

Warnings

• Mold can be very difficult to clean furniture. If the mold has penetrated deep enough, you will have to replace the leather upholstery or the entire piece of furniture.
• Sunlight kills mold naturally, but keep in mind that it can discolor your skin if handled incorrectly.