Leather care in Bangladesh: stopping mould before the monsoon
Humidity, not use, is what ruins leather in Bangladesh. Keep it out of plastic, keep air moving around it, dry it in shade rather than sun or heat if it gets wet, and condition it lightly, about twice a year. Mould needs damp and still air — remove either one and it cannot start.
A wallet in Dhaka rarely dies of wear. It dies in a cupboard in Ashar, sealed in the plastic bag it came in, growing a fine green bloom across the panels. Everything below is aimed at that.
Why it happens here
Leather is skin. It holds moisture, and it feeds anything that likes moisture. Mould generally needs relative humidity above about 70 percent and air that is not moving. During the monsoon, a closed almirah easily provides both for weeks. Add the residues from over-applied conditioner and you have given it something to eat as well.
Storage: the part that matters most
- No plastic. Plastic bags and airtight boxes trap moisture against the leather. Use a cotton bag, or leave the piece on an open shelf.
- Leave a gap. Do not stack leather goods flat against each other. Air needs a path.
- Open the cupboard. Once a week during the monsoon is enough to break the still-air condition.
- Use it. A wallet carried daily almost never grows mould. The ones that do are the spares.
- Silica gel packets — the ones that come in shoe boxes — are worth keeping and dropping in the drawer.
If it gets soaked
Blot, do not rub. Let it dry at room temperature with air moving around it, away from direct sun and away from any heat source. A fan on low is ideal; a hair dryer will cook the fibres and leave the leather stiff and cracked at the folds. If it is a wallet, empty it and let it dry open so the fold does not stay damp.
Once fully dry the leather will feel tighter than usual. That is when a thin coat of conditioner helps, and not before — conditioning damp leather seals the moisture in.
If mould has already started
- Take it outside before you touch it, so you are not spreading spores through the room.
- Wipe the growth off with a dry cloth first.
- Then wipe the surface with a cloth barely dampened with a mild water-and-vinegar solution, or surgical spirit. Do not soak the leather.
- Dry fully in shade, with air moving.
- Condition lightly once it is completely dry.
Test whatever you use on a hidden spot first — dyed leather can lift colour.
Conditioning, without overdoing it
Twice a year is plenty for a wallet in daily use. Use a small amount of leather conditioner on a soft cloth, work it in thin, and buff off anything that has not absorbed within a few minutes. In a humid climate, a greasy surface attracts dust and gives mould something to live on, so err on the side of too little.
The short version
Dry, ventilated, lightly fed, regularly used. That is the whole routine. Do those four things and a genuine leather wallet will outlast several phones.
Looking for something worth taking care of?
See the collectionWhy does leather grow mould in Bangladesh?
Leather holds moisture, and mould needs humidity above roughly 70 percent plus still air. During the monsoon, closed cupboards and plastic bags provide both for weeks at a time.
How do I remove mould from a leather wallet or bag?
Outside, wipe it off dry first, then wipe the surface with a cloth barely dampened with mild vinegar solution or surgical spirit. Dry fully in shade with air moving, then condition lightly.
Should I store leather in a plastic bag?
No. Plastic traps moisture against the leather and is one of the most common causes of mould here. Use a cotton bag or an open shelf.
How often should I condition leather in a humid climate?
About twice a year for a wallet in regular use, and lightly. Over-conditioning leaves a greasy film that holds dust and can feed mould.