Contributing Member fredk Posted March 6 Contributing Member Report Posted March 6 Be very careful handling those bags. Many moulds are toxic and bad for your health. I'd advise you to wear rubber or latex gloves and a mouth & nose mask Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Northmount Posted March 7 Report Posted March 7 On 3/6/2025 at 1:21 PM, Klara said: By the way, how does leather react to hydrochloric acid I've used HCl to clean SS check valves, 5% solutions, really active stuff. To treat leather, you would really have to dilute it/ Use oxalic acid instead, milder, safer, doesn't bother my skin.
Members Klara Posted March 8 Author Members Report Posted March 8 Maybe, but I still have a bottle of HCl in my workshop and no idea where to get oxalic acid. Yesterday I brushed off the white stuff (I am not even sure it is mildew or mould, I have never seen them so pure white), wearing mask and gloves, pulverized Isopropyl alcohol on it and hung it in the sun to dry. Let's see what happens...
Moderator bruce johnson Posted March 8 Moderator Report Posted March 8 Not to totally change gears but did you say it doesn’t smell? It may not be mildew or mold at all and could be spew. Those usually smell, spew doesn’t. Spew is waxes and oils in the leather that migrates to the surface and makes a whitish film. A quick and easy test is to hit it a heat gun or hair dryer. Spew liquifies and may resorb somewhat into the leather. Mildew doesn’t melt. Some leathers are prone to spew to begin with. Some of the latigo leathers especially. I loved Fox Valley Tannery latigo but it came with a variable coat of spew right out of the roll. Lay the sides in the sun and it absorbed enough to soak in. Cut it and edge when it wasn’t as messy, then the spew would eventually come back when it got cool . Made great long lasting latigos and straps. Sometimes the treatment after making something will contribute to excessive spew. Conditioners and saddle soap add even more waxes and oils and makes more spew. I’d check this out with some heat first. Bruce Johnson Malachi 4:2 "the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com
Northmount Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 5 hours ago, Klara said: no idea where to get oxalic acid. Paint stores, pharmacies can order it in for you, Bar Keepers Friend is mostly oxalic acid.
Members Klara Posted March 9 Author Members Report Posted March 9 18 hours ago, bruce johnson said: It may not be mildew or mold at all and could be spew. Those usually smell, spew doesn’t. Spew is waxes and oils in the leather that migrates to the surface and makes a whitish film. This is a very real possibility, since the white film has appeared in my heated living room where things normally don't get mouldy. And I have always found the leather to be unusually soft. Sadly your suggestion comes too late for now, but I will keep it in mind for when the stuff reappears. Do you have any suggestions how to ameliorate the situation?
CFM chuck123wapati Posted March 9 CFM Report Posted March 9 toss em, kick yourself in the butt and make a new pair. Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
Members Beehive Posted March 9 Members Report Posted March 9 Dip wax them. Plant some flowers in the bags. Like ladies do with old boots. Hang them up on the porch.
Members Klara Posted March 9 Author Members Report Posted March 9 @chuck123wapati, @Beehive Why should I toss or repurpose perfectly good bags that quite possibly/probably are not even mouldy?
Members Beehive Posted March 9 Members Report Posted March 9 5 minutes ago, Klara said: @chuck123wapati, @Beehive Why should I toss or repurpose perfectly good bags that quite possibly/probably are not even mouldy? We are going off your picture. I wouldn't even have those bags inside my house. We've given you many options for cleaning them. Have you cleaned them?
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