Storing Lage Quantities Of Leather?

[RVM45]

Friends,

Suppose that I had a huge windfall and decided to buy a lifetime's worth of leather at one time...

Well, it really doesn't matter how or why, but suppose that I had enough full hides to stack up a foot or two high.

Are they cool just laying in a pile in a cool dry room? Would the hides tend to get mold, mildew, Weevils or whatever?

Should I use spacers to let air circulate? Or maybe I should contrive to hang them all?

Obviously quality leather can last 20 or 30 years or more—but it is generally treated and may get regular moisturizing and surface water repellent applied—after the project is finished.

As I work my way through my pile, would I notice much difference when I got down to 15 or 20 year old leather?

Yeah why the oddball question?

Some of you may have read my fiction. I was thinking of a character who wanted to stock leather against a time of need and I realized that I knew nothing about long term storage of bulk unworked leather.

Thanks.

…..RVM45

[Matt T]

I think it depends on the type of leather. Horween recently found some leather in storage after 70 or so years, and one of their customers made some nice items from it.

http://horween.bigcartel.com/product/vintage-calfskin-attache-case

Edited May 7, 2015 by Matt T

[johnv474]

Leather is in the process of drying out all the time, so having it stacked flat in an otherwise climate-controlled environment a la root cellar, not in direct contact with wet walls or ground, and it should stay in good shape for a long time. The outermost layers would protect the inner layers.

For true long-term storage, you'd be looking at museum-type or library rare collections stuff, such as Renaissance Wax, British Museum Leather Dressing, or the like, humidity-controlled environments, and air filtration. This goes beyond most prepper-type caches. I might simply roll up several hides and insert into 4-6" PVC pipes, then use PVC caps cemented on the ends to protect against moisture loss, then stack on pallets in the cellar. Keep the PVC out of direct sunlight and it doesn't break down quickly.

[t06u54]

I'm cleaning some veg-tan leather with mildew on it, at this moment. I usually wash the leathers with some cleaning products someone recommended me, and they look like new in the end. Even as a final product. It recovers that regular veg-tan look, semi-shiny, without spots, clean and above all: workable. So, i'm pleased with the cleaning technique i found. Seems to get rid of the mildew, even if it's technically temporary, as it's still microscopically there. Fine by me, as long as it does not show up again as a product.

But i really hate to see the mildew showing up from time to time, on the unused batch of leather. It scares me a bit. I mean, i'm worried for the integrity of the leather, mildew, cleaning, mildew, cleaning... How do you guys usually store the leather? Can we really store the leather in air-tight environments, like johnv474 suggests? Isn't that worse, as the leather does not breathe? I want to store it properly too. Appreciate your help.

[gmace99]

i have at least 40 bridle/saddle butts and a few thousands of feet panel hide.. Mostly from Sedgwick's and Pittards . I kept them in a trailer until recently. The trailer had no heat but was dry and I have never had a problem with it. The oldest piece might be about 6 years old.

I also have 5 pig skins that I forgot about and left in a damp cellar for 15 years they had mould on them , but all I did was wash them in the bath with soapy water and they are fine just a little dry . I will oil them when ever I need them.

P.S. The wife don't know about them getting washed in the bath

[mlapaglia]

Mildew is a result of mold spores and dampness. Mildew is mold. If you have mildew the leather is or was stored in a damp area or got wet.

Anytime you get mold of any kind you should take it outside to clean and make sure you do not bring the cleaning cloths or sponges back inside. Try your best to keep the mold spoors from flying around the area where the leather is stored.

Keep it away from sunlight. If you store it flat store it grain side down to help protect it. A humidity of 35-50% is good for long term storage.

Don't get it wet or feed it after midnight.

These are my opinions based on what I think is best. YMMV

Michael

[t06u54]

Thanks for the feedback. I cleaned everything, looks good, no spots, perfect for new uses. This time i'm letting them more moisturized, guessing it's for the best. About that humidity, things don't look good... Unfortunately the place is bad...

I now have the leather sealed in plastic. Are those large silica bags bad to keep near the leather? I'm talking about 20 inches, or something like that, away from the sealed leather. But i'm worried they might be too powerful and dry everything... There might be a leak somewhere, i don't want to have bad surprises.