We had so much rain over the summer and early fall that I found a fresh crop of mold almost every time I came to the barn. I was cleaning my tack constantly but could barely keep up with it. Even with a de-humidifier running in the tackroom, the mold was getting an upper hand.
Here are some of the tips that I’ve found help:
- Stop using glycerin saddle soap. Glycerin is a humectant and holds moisture — giving mold a great growing environment.
- Always clean mold from your tack in an open location (preferably outside). As you clean, you are sending the mold spores into the surrounding air. You don’t want them to land on another host.
- While washing off mold use a clean towel and wash it after you’ve done.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals on your tack — even though they might kill the mold spores, you can damage the leather. I will admit to one exception. Years ago I opened my tack trunk to find my custom chaps dripping in mold. I was at the point of throwing them out when my trainer suggested that I put them in
You can read my review of Leather Therapy products on TackGuru.com. Just click on the picture. the washing machine with either Pinesol or Lysol. I tried it and they came out fine. They have also NEVER had a single spot of mold on them since.
- Covering your saddle with a clean towel.
I found that there was only one product out there that will really help prevent mold and those are the Leather Therapy products. I’m not trying to sound like a commercial, but I’ve been using them now for about two months and the difference is amazing. No more mold!
Actually, if you visit the EPA website, the only moldicide is Leather Therapy Restorer, not the wash or other products. I have tried them and find it does slightly retard the mold regrowth but did not completely stop it. We are having the wettest year ever recorded here and after last years drought, I’m not complaining. Instead, I have an inexpensive fan, installed a small window to emit sunlight and use a dehumidifier. Since mold needs three things to appear (food, moisture and temperature), if you can eradicate one of those, you have a good chance of success. Thanks for the timely blog!
Thanks for the clarification!
If you apply the restorer to the mold and then reapply it will kill all the mold and spores. You have to make sure to kill all the spores so it doesn’t come back. It depends on how bad the mold is but 100% of the mold on my tack was gone and didn’t come back after 3 applications.
I have been using Leather Therapy for 15 years now. The best part about the Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner is the way it not only kills the mold and spores but how it moisturized the leather. I love their whole line!!!