how do I remove musty smell from leather?

COSMO

COSMO

Joined
Feb 13, 2005
Messages
451
Is there any way to remove the musty smell from the box of leather I purchased at an estate sale? It smells as though it was stored in a damp basement for some time. Don’t want to use it unless I can get the musty smell to go away. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

Cosmo
 
I don't know that you can remove the smell but if you keep the knife in a well ventilated area out of direct sun light the smell could go away on its own after a few weeks, treating the sheath with a leather conditioner like snow seal may also help.
 
thanks for your reply, let me clarify, there is no sheath and there is no knife. it is pieces of leather, various sizes and types of leather, that I want to use to make knife sheaths. I bought the leather pieces at a sale, and after getting them home noticed the musty smell. I would like to make sheaths with the leather, but only if I can get rid of the musty smell.

Thanks

Cosmo
 
Cosmo, first, I don't really know. Second I would try a really weak solution of White Vinegar and water and spray a couple of pieces and let dry. It might work. Also, on a test basis you might try spraying Fabreeze, let dry and sniff.

Paul
 
Run out to your local store that sells anything for (whitetail mostly, real common here in central Illinois) deer hunting. Or look online for a spray on scent neatrulizer. It removes 99.99% of odor, and trust me it works. Gotten within 3 yards of deer upwind of them ground stalking. That stuff is meant to be applied to clothing, including leather it won't harm it.
 
Alcohol (ethanol) is pretty good at getting rid of odors in leather and fabric. Spritz on with a spray bottle, wet the leather but don't soak it. Let it dry, repeat as needed. You can use denatured spirits, but the last time I used this trick I only needed enough to treat a belt so I bought a pint of cheap 100 proof vodka, which worked fine despite the water content.
 
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