How to Get Mold Off Leather Saddle Bags

How to Get Mold Off Leather Saddle Bags
Written By
Kimbry Parker
Kimbry Parker
Published: Jul 6, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Whether the saddle bags are for your motorcycle, bicycle or your horse, it is important to clean mold off at first sight to protect the integrity of the leather. Take care when removing mold from leather saddle bags so as not to damage the leather.

  1. Brush the leather saddle bags with a dry soft-bristled scrub brush to remove any loose mold. Do this outdoors so mold spores are not released into your home.

  2. Mix equal parts rubbing or denatured alcohol and warm water in a clean, empty spray bottle. Spray the moldy leather with the solution.

  3. Wipe the leather with a white, lint-free rag to remove the mold. Switch to clean portions of the rag often, and apply more of the alcohol solution as necessary until the mold is gone. Allow the saddle bags to air-dry out of the sun.

  4. Mix a solution of warm water and a few squirts of mild dish soap in a bucket if the mold is persistent. Use your hands to form thick soap suds.

  5. Dip a white, lint-free cloth into the bucket to scoop out the suds. Use as little of the water as possible and scrub the leather until the mold is gone. Wipe over the saddle bags with a damp rag to remove any soap residue and allow them to air-dry thoroughly.

Things You Will Need

  • Soft-bristled scrub brush
  • Rubbing or denatured alcohol
  • Empty spray bottle
  • White, lint-free rags
  • Mild dish soap
  • Bucket

Photo Credits

saddle image by Cindy Haggerty from Fotolia.com

saddle image by Cindy Haggerty from Fotolia.com

Kimbry Parker

Kimbry Parker has been writing since 1998 and has published content on various websites. Parker has experience writing on a variety of topics such as health, parenting, home improvement and decorating. She is a graduate of Purdue…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.