Horsehide and a bit of mildew

[donnord]

I got a good deal on some horsehide, about 30" x 30" and some scraps. I was hoping to make a couple of slipjoint cases and maybe a stop or two. Thing is the hide is a little dry and has some mildew on it. What a good way to get rid of the mildew?

 

[The Zieg]

Castille, glycerine, Murphy's, or some other style of saddle soap is always my go-to for cleaning leather (I clean my tack and saddles about three times a year). It will change the feel of the leather, however. You can use a tiny amount on a small space of your leather to see what you need to remove the mildew without changing the consistency of the leather.

If the leather is really, really bad, you can simply soak it, scrub it, and then retreat it as you like.

This is NOT the perspective of leather worker, though, so be prepared to waive off my advice .

 

[donnord]

I just tried scrubbing a small piece it with vinegar and rinsing with water, it helped but I think saddle soap is a better idea.

 

[Horsewright]

I keep a product from Home Depot on hand. Its Behr All in One Wood Cleaner. Dampen a paper towel with some and wipe down the leather. Then rinse with a paper towel and water. The old standby for saddle makers was oxalic acid in solution. Kinda of bad stuff to be messing with but it works. This Behr product works well and has the oxalic acid in it. A gallon jug has lasted me 15-20 years. Used some a couple of days ago. Had some dirty finger prints show up on a damp piece of leather. Wiped with this stuff and poof, finger prints gone.

Horsehide is a great leather for lots of different projects.

 

[donnord]

I keep a product from Home Depot on hand. Its Behr All in One Wood Cleaner. Dampen a paper towel with some and wipe down the leather. Then rinse with a paper towel and water. The old standby for saddle makers was oxalic acid in solution. Kinda of bad stuff to be messing with but it works. This Behr product works well and has the oxalic acid in it. A gallon jug has lasted me 15-20 years. Used some a couple of days ago. Had some dirty finger prints show up on a damp piece of leather. Wiped with this stuff and poof, finger prints gone.

Horsehide is a great leather for lots of different projects.

Thank you for that information. I do have some Barkeepers friend on hand that I may try on a small sample. That stuff really tears my skin up so rubber gloves will be used.. I'll pick up the Beher as well.

 

[Horsewright]

Thank you for that information. I do have some Barkeepers friend on hand that I may try on a small sample. That stuff really tears my skin up so rubber gloves will be used.. I'll pick up the Beher as well.

Ya bet!

 

[donnord]

The Behr cleaner seemed to help. I may need to let it work for a bit longer than I did though. The mildew has been there awhile I think.

 

[Horsewright]

The Behr cleaner seemed to help. I may need to let it work for a bit longer than I did though. The mildew has been there awhile I think.

Good deal. Can ya post pics of what ya’ve got going on?

 

[donnord]

Sure. The smaller piece is the test piece the side with the scars was cleaned with the Behr the other side was lexol cleaner. The plan was to make a strop or 2. and maybe make a couple of simple sheaths /slipcases. Then I stumbled upon this piece of hide for 10 bucks so now I have more than I thought I needed. My stitching needs a lot of practice, and I have a few ideas so its all good.

 

[Horsewright]

Interesting. Is the leather pretty flexible? Looks like the Behr did a pretty good job. You may never get it 100 percent but it certainly looks usable.

 

[donnord]

The leather as I received it is dry but fairly flexible. The piece I cleaned and used conditioner on feel fine not supple exactly but like cowhide, maybe a bit stiffer.

 

[Horsewright]

The leather as I received it is dry but fairly flexible. The piece I cleaned and used conditioner on feel fine not supple exactly but like cowhide, maybe a bit stiffer.

Gotcha. Just wondering if it's veg or chrome tan. Did they say when ya bought it?

 

[donnord]

Gotcha. Just wondering if it's veg or chrome tan. Did they say when ya bought it?

They did not say, but it curled quickly when but in hot water, which I think indicates its veg tanned.