I've just found my beautiful leather handbag.  It's been packed away for nearly two years and smells awfully musty.


Here are some ideas of how to remove musty smells from leather:

1. Put outside for a few hours but check the weather forecast first as prolonged rain can ruin even the best leather
2. Wrap the item in newspaper and leave for a couple of days
3. Make a solution of five parts water to one of distilled white vinegar and spray lightly, then leave outside in the fresh air to dry.  If you need to rub at all, do so in the direction of the grain.
4. Put small items in a cardboard box and cover them in a layer of bicarbonate of soda, making sure first that the item is completely dry.  Leave for about five days, then dust off the bicarb.
5. One part rubbing alcohol to one part water, dip a cloth in the solution and gently rub the affected areas.
6. Spray the items with enzyme-based cleaner and leave to dry. This item's usually found in the pet-care section of a supermarket.
7. Dry ground coffee in an open pot, small bag or sock and leave inside a day or two.  Once the coffee smell fades then the smells should go too.
8. Put some ground up charcoal in a handkerchief, bowl or bag and leave inside for a couple of days.
9. Lavender bag or citrus fruit peel.
10. Solid air freshener, put inside a bag or handkerchief.
11. Put it into a plastic bag and freeze for a few hours, that should kill off any mold, mildew and bacteria.
12. Try stuffing the bag with sheets of fabric sprayed with febreze and then air in the sun.