Removing early stages of mildew from distressed lamb jacket

[Arca Perdida]

I have a lamb jacket that I don't wear much these days and has been kept in the basement. I got it out and there's a slight, powdered-looking spot on the leather. I'm pretty sure it's mildew. Almost looks as if someone had been using chalk and touched the jacket.
What's the best way to remove that without damaging or staining the leather? I've read that some 1:1 mix of rubbing alcohol and water to treat the spot, followed by some time in the sun and a coat of pecards will do the trick?
Any experts here care to offer other suggestions/warnings?

Thanks in advance!

[Texan Scott]

You must live in a very humid climate? I have only seen this once, and it was when I was in Brasil, and saw a leather jacket hanging in the closet with this type of mildew on it. Interesting that it too was lambskin. Isn't mold, bacteria, living organisms of some type? I would think that your proposed application would be right, since the goal would be to kill the bacteria, then possibly retreat with a leather conditioner?

[Indiana Jeff]

I would start by wiping the jacket down with plain water and then putting it in direct sunlight for a while rather than going to alcohol or other chemical treatments that may change the color. Sunlight is mildew's biggest enemy.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Michaelson]

I had this exact same problem when I'ved 3 years in Tallahassee, FL, and if left untreated, it will get thick and eventually damage the leather.

What I did was first wipe it off with warm distilled water that had JUST a couple drops (emphasis the word 'drops') of vinegar. That killed the biggest part of the mildew and cleared it off the surface.

I then did exactly what Jeff suggested and hung it in direct sunlight for a couple days.

This will kill the mildew that's under the surface.

Then treat with a leather product with a neutral pH balance like Pecards, but only a light coat as lambskin is tight pored and won't absorb the product like cowhide does.

Back when I did it, I didn't have Pecards but used Lexol and it did the trick.

This is also something that can happen if you use leather treatments like mink oil or neatsfoot oil. Mildew LOVES that stuff....as do bugs.

That should do the trick.

Regards! Michaelson

[Arca Perdida]

Thank you all for the suggestions. And thank you, M, for the additional tip on the pecards on lamb vs. cow.

[Michaelson]

Yep, go light with the Pecards, or your jacket will be so tacky you won't need to use a hanger to hang it up.....just throw it up against the wall and it will stick there.

We're glad to help!

Regards! Michaelson