Leather that smell bad, what to do?

[panchoskywalker]

Hello, I have some pieces of chrome leather that I would like to use for watch straps but after my first try I realized that it does not smell very nice. I tried putting it in direct sun for a couple of hours but bad smell is still there.

 

Do you have any tip to fix this?

 

 

[immiketoo]

No idea on Chrome tan.  Maybe a leather conditioner that has a nice smell?

 

[electrathon]

Moving air and lots of it.  Similar to getting rid of smoke smell.

[panchoskywalker]

11 hours ago, electrathon said:

Moving air and lots of it.  Similar to getting rid of smoke smell.

It's chrome tanned, no hair on it. I could skive the flesh side but it would make it too thin. 

I tried soaking it with white vinegar but the smell comes back the next day. If I don't get rid of that smell I will have to throw it.

Could I try putting it in the washing machine?

[cjartist]

I would try and return it, or at least contact your supplier and see what they say.  Maybe it was a bad lot.

[panchoskywalker]

On 23/2/2017 at 0:20 AM, cjartist said:

I would try and return it, or at least contact your supplier and see what they say.  Maybe it was a bad lot.

Can't return it, it is scrap leather, but that's not a problem because it was cheap. I just wish I could remove the smell.

[Leerwerker]

If the vinegar does not work, try lemon juice for a few hours and then just wash with water to get rid of the sticky.

 

[panchoskywalker]

3 minutes ago, Leerwerker said:

If the vinegar does not work, try lemon juice for a few hours and then just wash with water to get rid of the sticky.

 

Will try that, does it have to be real lemon or lemon juice from the supermarket does works too?

[Northmount]

2 hours ago, panchoskywalker said:

Will try that, does it have to be real lemon or lemon juice from the supermarket does works too?

Or use wood bleach, or barkeeps friend, or oxalic acid (all the same stuff). A little stronger than lemon juice.  I cleaned up an evil smell from some cheap leather with oxalic acid. 

Tom

[Leerwerker]

Supermarket lemon juice works just fine.