Mold is a pesky problem that can grow on many surfaces, including faux leather. If you have a piece of furniture or other item made with faux leather and it starts to get moldy, don’t worry – there are ways to remove the mold and restore your item to its former glory!
In this article, I will show you the five best methods for removing mold from faux leather. We’ll also provide some tips for preventing future mold growth. Let’s get started!
Faux Leather vs Mold
Before we get into the methods used to remove mold from faux leather, let’s take a moment and discuss what causes this problem.
Faux leather is made from a variety of materials, including plastics and fabrics. It can be used to create furniture, car seats, shoes, and other items.
Faux leather is a popular choice because it’s affordable and durable. However, one downside to using faux leather is that it’s susceptible to mold growth.
Mold thrives in warm, moist environments and can grow on many types of surfaces.
This includes wood, carpeting, clothing – yes even faux leather! If your item is kept in a damp area or has been exposed to water for too long (such as after spillages), then it’s possible that mold will start growing.
You may notice discoloration on the surface, a musty smell coming from your item, and even black spots appearing in some areas (these are spores).
Fortunately, there are many ways to remove mold from faux leather. The best method for you depends on how much mold has grown on your item and the type of faux leather it is made from.
Let’s take a look at five methods that you can use to remove mold from faux leather.
Method 1: Using Dish Soap To Remove Mold From Faux Leather
Dish soap is one of the best methods for removing mold from faux leather. You’ll need to find a dish soap that contains bleach, as these are effective at killing mold and preventing future growth – since faux leather is a non-porous material. To use dish soap to remove mold from faux leather, follow these steps:
Things Needed:
- Dish soap containing bleach
- Warm Water
- Bucket or bowl
- Sponge
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1: Remove Mold Residue
- Use a vacuum cleaner or a soft-bristled brush to remove as much of the mold as possible.
- You want to do this before applying any type of cleaner because it will be easier than trying to remove them later on when they’re wet.
- Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated place or outdoor area, as the mold spores can be harmful if inhaled.
Step 2: Do Your Soap Mixture
- Mix the dish soap and warm water in a bucket or bowl (the amount you use will depend on how big your item is).
- If it’s just one small spot of mold, then mix up a tablespoon each with warm water and pour into another container like an old mug.
- Just make sure there is enough lather to cover the mold.
Step 3: Scrub The Mold Off The Faux Leather
- Soak your sponge, brush, or microfiber cloth into the soap mixture, wring it out, and scrub the mold off of your faux leather item.
- Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of the faux leather item, as this is where the mold will re-grow if left untreated.
Step 4: Rinse And Let Dry
- Once you’ve scrubbed the mold off, rinse your faux leather item with warm water.
- You can do this by dampening a piece of a microfiber cloth with warm water and then using it to wipe away the soap and mold residue.
- Let your faux leather item dry completely before using or storing it again. You can leave it out in the sun if you want to kill any remaining spores and also speed up the drying process.
That’s just about it. The process of using dish soap to remove mold from faux leather is pretty simple. You can also use baby shampoo if you do not have dish soap.
Just make sure to be careful and take your time when scrubbing the mold off so you don’t damage the surface of your item.
Method 2: Using Vinegar To Remove Mold From Faux Leather
Vinegar is another great option for not only removing mold from faux leather but killing them as well.
Vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial effects, and it’s a cheap and effective mold treatment for a variety of mold.
Household vinegar like white vinegar generally contains about 5%-8% acetic acid. This means that vinegar is effective at killing a wide range of mold and bacteria without causing any damage to the faux leather surface.
To use vinegar to remove mold from faux leather, follow these steps:
Things Needed:
- White Vinegar
- Bucket or bowl
- Sponge
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1: Remove Mold Residue
- Use a vacuum cleaner or a soft-bristled brush to remove as much of the mold as possible just like the first method.
- You want to do this before applying any type of cleaner because it will be easier than trying to remove them later on when they’re wet.
- Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated place or outdoor area.
Step 2: Mix Vinegar And Water
- Now mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water into a bowl or bucket.
- The mixture should be enough to cover the affected area.
Step 3: Dampen Sponge With The Solution
- Soak a sponge in the solution and then wring out most of the water.
- You don’t want to use too much liquid because it will leave behind streaks or take longer for the leather to dry.
Step 4: Apply Vinegar To Affected Areas Of Faux Leather
- Now use the sponge to apply the vinegar solution to all of the affected areas.
- Make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes or until the mold disappears.
Step 5: Wipe Off The Vinegar Solution
- Once you’re done, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe off any excess vinegar solution.
- Make sure to do this before it dries because the faux leather might get damaged if you don’t.
Step 6: Dry Off The Faux Leather
- After wiping off the solution, leave your faux leather out in a well-ventilated area so that it can dry completely.
- You should never put any type of leather back into storage while it’s still wet as this can cause mildew growth and damage the material.
- You might need to use a fan or hair dryer if you’re in a hurry.
Method 3: Using Rubbing Alcohol To Remove Mold From Faux Leather
Surprise! Surprise!, yes! another home remedy to removing mold is good old rubbing alcohol.
Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, contains about 70% ethanol which makes it great for killing mold and bacteria.
It’s also a good disinfectant so it will help get rid of any traces of mold that might be left behind.
To use rubbing alcohol to remove mold from faux leather, follow these steps:
Things Needed:
- Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol)
- Spray Bottle or Bowl/Bucket.
- Soft Bristle Brush.
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1: Remove As Much Of The Mold Spores As Possible
- Just like in the previous methods, you want to remove as much of the mold spores as possible before applying any type of cleaner.
- As mentioned before, you can do this by using a vacuum cleaner or a soft bristle brush.
- Make sure to do it in a well-ventilated area so that you do not inhale any of the spores.
Step 2: Apply The Rubbing Alcohol
- Spray the rubbing alcohol directly onto the affected area or pour some into a bowl/bucket if you’re going to use a sponge.
- You want to make sure that you Do NOT dilute it with water because this will decrease its effectiveness at killing mold and bacteria.
Step 3: Rub The Rubbing Alcohol Over Your Faux Leather
- Use a microfiber cloth to rub the rubbing alcohol into the faux leather.
- Spritz another round of rubbing alcohol over the affected area of the faux leather and use the clean microfiber cloth to rub it in again.
- This will help remove any remaining mold spores that may have been left behind.
- Continue doing this until the mold is gone.
Step 4: Wipe Off The Rubbing Alcohol Solution And Let It Dry
- After you’re done, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe off any excess rubbing alcohol.
Step 5: Allow To Dry Completely
- Leave the faux leather out to dry completely. Voila!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this article has given you some information about how to remove mold from faux leather.
You should now know what type of cleaner will work best for your situation and the steps involved in removing it safely without damaging your faux leather material. Thank you so much for reading! Keep smiling :)’
