Cleaning/Disinfecting Leather

[vcincent]

hello,
I know I asked something like this before, but did not get a positive answer. What is a good way to clean and disinfect a leather sheath? The sheath in question is my hard-working KA-BAR sheath which has collected dirt and grime over the years. I don't mind a harsher treatment or altering the finish, but at the same time I don't want to ruin the sheath.

I know enough not to get it wet and not to oil it to the point where it loses its stiffness, but how do I clean innards and pores of the sheath where a damp cloth can't reach? Is there anything I can submerge it in? I was thinking of submerging it in white vinegar, brushing off all parts I could reach, then lightly coat it with mineral oil for protection. thank you..

 

[rifon2]

Cleaning is one thing, disinfecting is another thing.

Most disinfectants are very harsh.

There are all kinds of products that will clean your leather sheath - from saddle soap to Lexol and many others that you can find in any good leather care store.
Then you can finish it with mink oil, which is a great finish for leather.

But as for disinfecting? I'm really not sure what I'd use on leather to do that.
Soaking in vinegar, though, does not sound like a great idea to me.

 

[David Martin]

cent,Don't disinfect leather.Merely, use saddle soap, warm water in a pan, outside with a rifle cleaning rod and a NYLON soft bristle gun brush.Get the sheath wet and apply the soap to the bristle brush to clean the inside of the sheath, back and forth w/ rinsing.Use the saddle soap by hand or cloth on the outside, rubbing and rinse.Let dry not in direct sunlight.Then apply virgin olive oil.Its the best stuff for leather.This should give you good results.DM

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You can soak the sheath in rubbing alcohol to disinfect.

 

[Balislinger]

You can soak the sheath in rubbing alcohol to disinfect.

Might that blur the dye?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

He said he didn't care about altering the finish.

 

[lukus]

Soaking the leather in alchol will break down and remove the oils in the leather and make it harder and possibly brittle. I can't really imagine that it needs disinfecting.

David Martin has it right, warm water and saddle soap (or most any mild soap). You clean good leather like your wife (or gf) cleans her hands. Mink oil is a good finish and protector. I've never heard of using virgin olive oil on leather, but it should work. The possible drawback would be making your leather smell like a bowl of pasta to your dog.

 

[vcincent]

thanks all for the tips,
I ask for a method to disinfect because I have used the knife gut catch, and I have sheathed it without much prior cleaning; it's not always convenient to completely wash a knife out in the open.

God knows what has grown in the leather since then and having an effective method to "sanitize" the sheath will lend me peace of mind. I will definitely try the alcohol as you suggested. Of course I will give it a bit of mineral oil afterwards and I'll do my best to remember to get back to you guys with results.