Mold on saddle and bridle? help!

[May07Bride]

Does anyone know the best way to clean mold off leather? I picked my saddle and bridle up from the barn when I just moved my horse this weekend and the combination of their poor storage and me not riding for the past 8 months since being there, I discovered there is mold on my bridle as well as a bit on the inside flaps of my, fairly new, saddle. :(

I'm not sure what the best way to attack this problem is. Any experience or advice that will kill/get rid of the mold, but not totally ruin my leather?

Thanks!

[onelanerode]

Belvoir's spray cleaner (step one) has a mold-inhibiting agent in it, IIRC. I don't have the bottle in front of me though.

[May07Bride]

Thanks, I think I may actually have some of that - I will have to check and see which one it is.

[Horsezee]

White vinegar. Anything containing glycerin will make it worse. :)

[May07Bride]

oooh I definitely have lots of vinegar (use it for cleaning all the time)! I am going to try that tomorrow, thanks :)

[Flipper]

Yup, white vinegar. Then condition later after it's dry.

[Androcles]

Ammonia (diluted) seems to work well bu then you must condition it afterwards.

[missamandarose]

Can I just say, yes, white vinegar!! I read about it in a thread here a few weeks ago, and have been using it and it works SO well! Sure, its a little smelly, but I'm also not scared of my creepy, fuzzy green tack! I have battled the fuzz for so many summers...

I use a very lightly dampened wash cloth (Wal-mart 10 pack for 2 bucks!) to wipe off dirt/sweat after a ride, then a dry wash cloth to dry the leather off, and a third slightley dampened with the vinegar to give everything a once-over, paying special attention to buckles. I ride about 3 times a week, and doing this post ride has made a HUGE difference.