How To Remove Mildew From Leather Seats

By  Corey M. Mackenzie

Things Needed

  • Clean cloths

  • Clean towels

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Water

  • Small, clean bucket

  • Fan

Tip

If mildew still remains, try washing the leather with a small spot of dish soap and rinsing clean. Dry the spot completely afterward with a towel. If the leather seat is an automobile seat, park the car in sunlight and leave the doors or windows open to keep air circulating.

Take your time–mildew can spread and if you don't get it all, you may have to repeat these steps in just a few weeks.

Warning

Make certain the bucket or cup and cloth you use are clean and have not been used for other substances–leather is easily stained by salts and other chemicals.

Leather seats, and especially automobile seats, though beautiful are prone to mildew on occasions. Leather gets warm easily inside a car or inside a home on a warm day–combine that warmth with humidity, plus the natural creases and seams in leather seats, and you have prime conditions for fungus growth. Leather seats can be cleaned with ingredients you may already have around the house. In addition, though cleaning mildew off leather seats sometimes requires time and patience, it is not otherwise difficult, in most cases.

How to Remove Mildew From Leather Seats

Step 1

Pour one part water to one part rubbing alcohol into clean bucket (or a cup, if the area to be cleaned is very small). One cup of each should be plenty to do a regular sized recliner or leather automobile seat.

Step 2

Dampen a clean cloth in the alcohol and water solution.

Step 3

Rub the cloth over mildewed areas, one small section at a time. Scrub until the mildew is no longer visible.

Step 4

Dry the leather well with a towel. Pay extra attention to drying any creases and seams in the seat, as these will naturally hold more moisture.

Step 5

Ventilate the area well, allowing the leather seat to get a lot of airflow. If possible, point a fan at the seat. If the seat is in a car, allow it to dry fully before closing the doors and windows.

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