Discovering mold growing on a favorite purse, whether it is Chanel, Gucci, Burberry, or Christian Dior, is upsetting. Similarly, finding the fungus on your luggage can be equally as frustrating. Removing mold from purses or luggage is crucial for maintaining the durability and cleanliness of your belongings. When a mold infestation has developed, tackling it promptly and effectively with the following mold cleanup methods ensures your items remain in good condition.

Damages Caused by Mold Growth

Thriving in damp, shaded environments, mold spores are common outdoors and play a vital role in breaking down organic matter. By feeding off of organic matter such as dead leaves and fallen trees, mold sustains itself, making it a necessary and beneficial organism in nature. However, mold growth in places other than in nature can be a major nuisance. Mold growth inside the home can compromise the structural integrity of the items on which it grows.

Mold grows on household items whenever three primary nutrient sources are present: a constant moisture supply, organic materials, and darkness. As mold consumes organic materials, it simultaneously causes health problems for people breathing in the spores. When inhaled, mold spores can lead to a range of respiratory issues including allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory infections.

Addressing mold growth promptly is crucial to not only preserve the integrity of your belongings but to also protect your health and well-being.

How Does Mold Grow on Purses and Luggage?

Mold growth on purses or luggage is a common issue that can cause significant damage to valuable items. If the environment provides moisture, organic materials, and darkness, it becomes favorable for mold growth. By identifying and mitigating these factors, you can protect your belongings from mold infestation.

Darkness

Both purses and luggage are commonly stored in dark environments such as the basement, closets, or under beds. These areas of the house are typically dark and have little to no air ventilation, accelerating mold growth. Sunlight kills mold through a combination of UV radiation and heat, which these areas commonly do not have access to.

Moisture Supply

Dampness caused by rain, spills, or high humidity levels is one of the key elements that encourages mold growth on these materials. If these items are not fully dried, they contain moisture and provide mold with nutrients.

Organic Materials

Purses and luggage, especially those made from natural or untreated materials, can provide various organic substances that mold spores thrive on. Mold spores are further fed by natural oils, proteins, and fats, which are all organic compounds that mold spores can feed on. If not maintained properly, they also feed on the chemicals used to manufacture leather goods, like fat-distilled spirits and tannins. Mold is rarely fussy and will often feed on the organic residues, stains, and soiling left on frequently used luggage and purses.

Cross-Contamination

Unwanted mold infestations also spread when moldy luggage is stored near a purse that has not yet begun to develop mold. Spores can easily transfer and infest the other items. Promptly and effectively removing mold from materials is very important to mitigate mold infestations from spreading around your home.

Methods to Remove Mold from Purses and Luggage

To effectively address and combat mold, it is important to understand the various methods and techniques available for cleaning and restoring your items. Fortunately, the prized purses and luggage can be successfully cleaned of mold growth with the proper techniques and cleaning solutions. Ultimately, these items will be in a mold-free condition and can be safely used again.

Method 1: Apply an Alcohol Solution

Remove the contents from the luggage or purse before beginning the mold removal. Most likely, the mold spores will have latched into the interior parts of the purse or luggage. So, in the case of the purse, turn it inside out so that the mold growth is facing outward.

Leather luggage goods and purses can be cleaned with one cup of denatured alcohol mixed with one cup of water. Once a cloudy solution has formed, dampen a sponge or washcloth with the liquid. Scrub away at the moldy areas until the stains are no longer visible.

Fully drying the leather items is critical. If using the alcohol solution method on a purse, place it in the dryer for 25 minutes or outside for 24 hours. For big pieces of luggage, place them in the sunlight outside to air dry for 24 hours.

Method 2: Try the Brush Technique

Mold can also be removed from luggage and purses with a brush and a little bit of effort. This mold removal process must be done outside, as brushing off the spores will release them into the air. Avoid contaminating the home by taking this task outside.

Use a hand-held brush to gently scrub away visible mold splotches on the purse or luggage. Bulky luggage may require a stiff broom instead. In the event these items cannot be taken outdoors for cleanup, place a large sheet of paper on the floor to catch the falling mold spores.

Method 3: Use Baking Soda

A commonly used method for mold removal, baking soda, is known for effectively removing mold spores from different materials. Begin by pouring a half-cup of baking soda directly into the purse or luggage, completely covering the bottom. Close the purse or luggage and let it sit overnight in a dry place.

The following day, dampen a sponge or cloth with water and gently scrub the mold away. The baking soda is naturally abrasive and will remove the mold spores. Dump out the remaining baking soda and suction out the remaining baking soda with a hand-held vacuum.

Preventing Mold Growth

Regularly wiping down luggage or a purse with a damp cloth, organic sanitizing wipes, or antimicrobials, such as tea tree oil or lavender oil, will help prevent mold growth and keep them looking fresh. Similarly, maintaining leather purses or luggage by moisturizing them with oils will accomplish the same.

Mold infestations can happen anywhere an abundant moisture supply is readily available. Ensuring that your belongings are free of mold spores is extremely important to prevent mold infestations around your property. Areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, and dark closets can develop mold problems, as they provide the essential nutrients for mold growth. If you identify mold infestations of any size in your property, reaching out to mold remediation experts is recommended.

Dedicated crews of IICRC-certified technicians will arrive promptly to your home or business and assess the extent of mold growth. Using high-tech equipment, they look for both visible and concealed mold, such as colonies flourishing under carpets, behind walls, and beneath wallpaper.

Once mold is detected, the technicians locate and repair the moisture source causing the growth. Containment of the moldy area is especially important to prevent cross-contamination to other rooms. Technicians eliminate the mold as well as remove structural materials permanently damaged by the spores. Salvageable materials that show signs of mold damage are repaired and restored. They will conduct a final inspection to ensure your property is mold-free.