Leather care

[Dick Hosmer]

Recently pulled out some leather items (McKeever pouches, slings, etc.) I'd had in storage, well-protected I thought with Pecard, but they have developed some white areas. What is the best way to remove this? They are kept in a dry area, of course, but one which is subjected to temperature swings.

[throck3]

Nothing to worry about, Dick. Just lightly buff with a soft, dry cloth, perhaps with a little, furry knap to it. It should come right off and cause no harm to your preserved leather.
Rick T

[Fred Gaarde]

Yeah, just wipe it down with a clean cloth.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks, guys. They are in a fairly tightly closed (but not sealed) cabinet. Should I put some silica gel packets in with them?

[Fred Gaarde]

That couldn’t hurt to control moisture. However the white substance on the leather isn’t mold and is harmless in my experience.

[tdoor]

The white stiff is leather spew. Comes from the original tanning process as the fats in the leather are coming to the surface causing what looks like white mold but it isn't. Easiest way to control is to purchase a "leather spew remover". Best I have used is from a company called Leather Master. 1-877-293-1723.
If you just wipe it off it will be gone for a while however, as the temp. and humidy changes it will come back. The spew remover controls the migration of the leather fats to the surface. May have to apply several times but eventually will work.