Mildew

[RayRay]

I have a leather holster that keeps getting mildew on it no matter what I do. I wipe it off and a few months later it’s back. Any ideas 

[manayunkman]

You have a moisture issue, perhaps a dehumidifier will help.

[RayRay]

I have one. I run it at 50. I have many leather items without issues. Its just this one holster 

[doyler]

With Mildew most will reccommend to wipe it off and expose to sunlight.....search on line as there are some great curator topics and what museums do. 

[CavalryCombatant]

I’m curious if this problem is still persisting?  I once had an issue very similar that I couldn’t figure out for the life of me, only to realize it wasn’t mildew and was a byproduct of an improperly applied cleaning compound.  

[Bluehawk]

On 5/2/2024 at 9:42 AM, doyler said:

With Mildew most will reccommend to wipe it off and expose to sunlight.....search on line as there are some great curator topics and what museums do. 

> True - sunlight is an amazing decontaminant. I've read (but not yet tried) all kinds of wiping (soaking not recommended for leather) solutions involving various combinations of baking soda, bleach white vinegar etc.  

 

For example:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CleaningTips/comments/14fr8e7/mildew_smell_in_clothes_wont_go_away/

 

https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/ask-nedcc/faqs

[Airborne-Hunter]

It probably isn't mildew. Some older leather products release a wax. I have found that it is not consistent and believe it is from an additive or product added to the leather. There is nothing you can do about it except to rub it off.

As to the dehumidifier you need to be careful around leathers. Ambient air will have a different humidity than the air coming out of the machine. If the machine is too close to leather it will dry the leather out. 

[Kadet]

9 hours ago, Airborne-Hunter said:

It probably isn't mildew. Some older leather products release a wax. I have found that it is not consistent and believe it is from an additive or product added to the leather. There is nothing you can do about it except to rub it off.

As to the dehumidifier you need to be careful around leathers. Ambient air will have a different humidity than the air coming out of the machine. If the machine is too close to leather it will dry the leather out. 

I agree, you are probably experiencing what is called leather "bloom". It occurs when the oils and waxes used in the leather's tanning process leach to the surface, forming a white residue that can look like mildew. As mentioned you can wipe it off. I've also heated it with a hair dryer such that it soaked back in to the leather with a little rubbing...