Mold/Mildew on Restoration Hardware aniline wax pull-up sofa

Evening,
I purchased a Restoration Hardware aniline wax pull-up leather sofa at an estate sale last week. Unfortunately, the sofa was stored in a second home that did not get much use. The inside of the arms have quite a bit of mold, and the inner seams between the seat cushions. I cleaned a small area of the leather with rubbing alcohol as well as white vinegar, stripped the leather. I'm not sure if the sofa is worth preserving. Would you please recommend a kit that 1.) Kills mold 2.) Disinfect/Cleans 3.) Eliminates odor 4.) Prevent regrowth 5.) Condition/protect. Any help would be appreciated.Attachment 7790Attachment 7791Attachment 7792

>>> I cleaned a small area of the leather with rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is not recommended, as it will remove the finishes and dries up the fatliquor (fat and oil content).


>>> Would you please recommend a kit
Attachment 7810
Kit-Aw3.mk - Aniline Wax Pull-up Leather Mold-Odor Killer Kit
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-aw3...or-killer-kit/


Attachment 7811
Kit-Aw6.tc - Aniline Wax Pull-up Leather Topcoat Refinishing Kit
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-aw6...finishing-kit/


>>> that 1.) Kills mold 2.) Disinfect/Cleans 3.) Eliminates odor 4.) Prevent regrowth 5.) Condition/protect. Any help would be appreciated.

1- Use Eraser-4 to remove mold surface growth.

2- Use CleanPro-1.5 > Acidifier-2.0 for pre-cleaning.

3- Use KillMold-3.6 to treat into the leather structure to eliminate odor and prevent regrowth with a 8 monthly re-treatment for a long term solution just like any anti-microbial treatment.

4- Use Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system to rejuvenate for leather suppleness.

5- Use EffectWax-8.6 to rejuvenate the pull-up effect.

6- Use AnilineTop-76G to restore original gloss luster.

Note:
Any darkening effect from body oil, grease and sweat will need Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system. Penetrated soiling may need a “reverse-transfer” treatment with Hydrator-3.3 in conjunction with Towel-5.

Sun-fading may be rectified with Hydrator-3.3 treatment to reactivate to increase surface color intensity or saturation.

>>> I'm not sure if the sofa is worth preserving.

My recommended treatment is of the same standard as any commercial tannery. It is very common to have the hides infested with mold. It is the same chemistry and principle practiced, so it is worth preserving.


Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]

For your information:

MOLD:
Mold is the colloquial term applied to a large diverse number of fungal species where their growth result in a moldy appearance on objects, including leather. A layer of fungal growth discolors such objects. Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multi-cellular filaments called hyphae. The hyphae are generally transparent, so the mycelium appears like very fine, fluffy white threads over the surface. The dusty texture of many molds is caused by profuse numbers of asexual spores formed by differentiation at the ends of hyphae. The mode of formation and shape of these spores are traditionally used to classify the mold fungi. Many of these spores are colored, making the fungus much more obvious to the human eye at this stage in its life cycle. Molds cause biodegradation of natural materials like leather. It can then be unwanted as mold-damaged property. Mold requires moisture for growth. Like all fungi, molds derive energy not through photosynthesis but from the organic matter on which they live. Typically, molds secrete enzymes that degrade complex substances into simpler substances, which can be absorbed by the hyphae. Molds reproduce through producing very large numbers of small spores. Mold spores may remain airborne indefinitely or cling to leather and fur. It can survive under extremes of temperature and pressure.

Preparation Cleaning:

1 Remove, contain and dispose mold responsibly in terms of health and the environment.

2 Remove remaining residue with leather Eraser-4 for all smooth leather and Nubuck and suede Eraser-5 for suede.

3 Clean thoroughly with CleanPro-1.5 follows with Clean-3.8 then Rinse-3.0.

4 Sinking pits damages, have to be physically removes during the rinsing process and an option for re-finishing after treatment.

Instruction:

1 Shake well, spray to saturate and agitate with appropriate leather.

2 Let dry naturally.

Options:

1 Hydrate dried leathers – use Hydrator-3.3.

2 Rejuvenate to soften and strengthen leather – use Fatliquor-5.0 or Fatliquor.LS-5.5 the leather-scent version.

3 Non-stick rub-resistant protection with a classic leather scent - use Protector-D+ the leather-scent version

Note:

Anti-fungistatic, just like antibiotic is a course of medications; that has to be administered on an 8 monthly cycle to be long term effective again re-occurrence.