Why it happens
- Humid air. Mould wakes up once the air stays above about 60% humidity — the rains, a coastal city, or a sticky summer anywhere.
- The air itself. Air quality in many cities, from Mumbai to Delhi, isn’t what it used to be. Fine dust settles on a bag and holds moisture against the leather, and pollutants like sulphur dioxide slowly weaken leather over time.
- Shut away too long. A bag closed up in a cupboard for months, or kept in a plastic cover, never gets to breathe.
- Nothing to absorb the damp. No silica gel inside, no dehumidifier or moisture absorber in the cupboard, no cotton dust bag around it.
What you can do at home
- Mask and gloves on, and take it outside or near an open window. Mould spores spread easily — and are not good to breathe in.
- Empty it. Check the pockets, the lining and under the handles.
- Brush off the dry powder with a soft brush or dry cloth. Gently — lift it, don’t scrub it in.
- Wipe with a cloth barely damp with equal parts white vinegar and water. Try it on a hidden spot first.
- Spots keep coming back? Some experts use equal parts rubbing alcohol and water — but alcohol can lift the colour on delicate leathers like lambskin or untreated tan leather. Test it, or leave this step to a professional.
- Dry it fully in the shade. Not in the sun, not with a hair dryer. Don’t put it back until it’s completely dry, inside too.
- Condition it with a conditioner made for leather once it’s dry.
- Check its neighbours. Look at the bags stored next to it, and wipe the shelf or cupboard down too.
Please don’t use:
- Bleach or household cleaners
- Sanitiser or disinfectant sprays
- Wet wipes
- Olive oil or kitchen oils — they darken leather unevenly and go rancid
- Hot sun or a heater to dry it
Bring it to us if
- A mark stays after the mould is gone
- It’s inside the lining or the seams
- The colour has gone patchy, or the surface feels sticky or is peeling
- It’s suede, nubuck, lambskin or a light-coloured bag
- The musty smell won’t leave
Keep it from coming back
- A cotton dust bag, never plastic
- Silica gel sachets inside the bag — change them every few weeks in damp weather
- A dehumidifier or moisture absorber in the cupboard. A small humidity meter costs very little — aim for 40–50%
- Wipe the dust off before you put a bag away
- Take it out every couple of weeks, even if you don’t use it
We’ve seen mould take the life out of bags people really loved — and we’ve seen the same bags leave our workshop looking new again. Wherever you are, if yours needs more than a wipe, send us a photo. We’ll tell you honestly whether it needs us.