Icky old leather sheath.

[akula83]

Hi guys, I have a old leather sheath that came with a Kabar I recently picked up and was wondering what any of you would recommend for a thorough washing out/cleaning. It has some mildew on it and that musty smell from sitting around somewhere in a basement for a long time. Thanks.

 

[leatherman]

I'd say saddle soap and warm water with a sponge. Let it dry slowly and use a good conditioner afterwards. It might be beyond help, but its worth a try, mildew is deadly to leather and will eat it up fast.

 

[akula83]

Thank you leatherman.

 

[Wild Rose]

With all due respect to Dwayne - I would use plain old white or cider vinegar first to clean and kill the spores, then clean with a good saddle soap per the instructions ( I like the PH balanced liquid saddle soap for cleaning). This is the way all the old timers I learned from cleaned off mildew/mold and after 50 years at doing leather repairs on everything from wallets to saddles, it's IMO the best method and if the leather is not overly damaged will bring ti back up to snuff....
After cleaning then use a good conditioner such as Lexol - use it sparingly - over conditioning is just as bad if not worse than under conditioning leather......

 

[leatherman]

The vinegar! DOH! I knew there was something I forgot! Thanks Chuck!!

I'm working on some old WW1 holsters right now and should have remembered to say something about the vinegar, Imadoofus sometimes.