Flooded by Harvey; Holster Salvage

[DeletedMember275]

I had all of my 'stuff' stored in a friend's garage in Houston, which naturally, was flooded by Harvey. Most of my reloading dies and presses survived with some surface rust that Evapo-Rust can remove. My big concern right now is my holsters that were thoroughly soaked. It was a couple of weeks before anyone could get to them, and they are now moldy.

My main question is how to effectively KILL the mold. Once that's done, I can attempt to treat them and salvage them.

Any suggestions on how to kill the mold on my holsters?

 

[#1rugerman]

I do not have a solution but you might contact Tandy leather and see if they have a answer to your question. Other than that white vinegar will kill mold and won't bleach out your leather, then rinse, hang outside to Air dry, then put some type of leather conditioner on the item. Getting the mold off might require some agitation (toothbrush). I would try with a belt or less important item and see how it works out. Good luck

 

[mohavesam]

If it has a bad odor (I won't describe it but you'll know it as something you don't want under your pillow) it probably needs to be replaced, or at least professionally re-dyed after a scrubbing, soak cycle in white vinegar, and thorough working of the leather to cure/prevent rapid stiffening to the point of cracking.

Floodwaters contain caustic muds and fluids, and very often raw sewage and fecal matter from myriad sources. Even in trace amounts, suede-sided leather reacts with these acids and enzymes in continual and nasty ways. I recall getting flooded all too well. My sympathies once again.

In this query, the internet is your best friend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEfcVHhP31I
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/free/flood-restoration-helpful-guide-on-saving-leather-items-like-shoes-and-bags.html
http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/showthread.php?52-Aniline-Water-Damaged-Insurance-Claim-How-to-Restore-Water-Damaged-Leather-effectively-in-an-Insurance-Claim

Be careful restoring items that have been reported as a loss to any insurance firm.

 

[CraigC]

Thoroughly clean the leather with mild soap. Kill the mold with pure lemon juice. Let it dry. It will probably need a little oil once you're done. I like extra virgin olive oil.

If you use any vinegar on it, you'll need to neutralize it with a baking soda solution or it will eat the bluing off your guns.

 

[Viking Queen]

Thoroughly clean the leather with mild soap. Kill the mold with pure lemon juice. Let it dry. It will probably need a little oil once you're done. I like extra virgin olive oil.

If you use any vinegar on it, you'll need to neutralize it with a baking soda solution or it will eat the bluing off your guns.

This is the exact proceedure to use. When you let the holsters dry do not dry them in the sun or with any source of heat. Just let them air dry. The only change I would make to Cary's proceedure is that when the holsters are still a little bit damp, after cleaning and using the lemon juice that is the time to apply the olive oil. Apply it sparingly with a piece of old tshirt, rub it in and wipe off the excess.

Before the holster is dry, wrap the gun for that holster in a plastic bag, insert it into the holster, gently mold the holster to the gun with your fingers and gently slide the gun and bag out of the holster, leaving it to dry.

I wish you luck. I am sorry all your stuff got drowned. Cathy.