Is it possible to treat a leather bag for damp damage

[LifesTooShortForBadSex]

I have a beautiful Ieather tote bag that accidently got stored in the shed & its got mould on it

Is there any way to save it or is it ruined forever?

Thanks!

I had a pair of leather boots that happened to. I wiped off the mould and used spray leather cleaner and they came up OK. If you're worried about damp smell, stuff the bag with newspaper and leave it for a week in a warm place or in the sun (not too strong sun in case it fades). The newspaper will absorb the smell.

Vinegar will remove both the mould and the smell. Let it soak in for half an hour or so and wipe clean. Repeat as necessary. Other things that absorb smells are bicarbonate of soda and coffee grounds. Good luck!

Give it a wipe with a damp cloth and see what comes off. You can use a very mild soap diluted in water. Don't use something harsh like lemon juice or vinegar. Let it dry out. Treat it with leather conditioner or wax if you need to get it supple again - I've used Gilles Berthoud wax or Brooks proofide on leather bike saddles that have been water damaged and it works great, particularly the former. Comes and in a little tin and is cheap for the small amount you'd need.

Thank you all.
The bag is a pale sage green leather so I'd be nervous of using vinegar in case it left a stain.

It's a beautiful day here so I think I'll try washing with mild detergent & wet cloth & hanging it outside for the afternoon.

I have a leather cream that came with another bag so when it's dry I'll use that & hopefully i can get it back to a usable condition

It was a v expensive bag so I'm a bit gutted this has happened

Depends on what sort of leather, how it's been prepared/treated.. I used to work with/make a lot of leather goods!

The sort that is paint on the surface of leather - as long as that surface is not cracked its pretty easy to wipe away dirt/mould etc.

The kind that is dyed and the colour is not sat on the surface but sunk into it.. harder, that can stain easily.

My go to first attempt for any leather (from saddlery/bridle work to bags/gloves etc) is a very mild solution of washing up liquid and warm water.

Wipe off surface dirt with a dry cloth.
Wipe off the rest with a damp cloth using the washing up liquid solution.
Wipe again with a damp cloth with just plain water.
Finally dry with a soft clean cloth.

See where you're at with that, go round again if necessary.

Do not put it to dry anywhere hot or in direct sunlight - you want somewhere warm and airy, but out of direct sunlight/heat (or it will dry up and fry/crack).

Don't use oil based softeners/conditioners, they separate the leather fibres, can force a surface finish off the underlying leather, make the leather rather 'soggy', driving out natural water content and if the item is left somewhere hot, the leather 'fries'.

I only use solid leather conditioners that are fat/wax based, over leather that is slightly damp (from wiping with plain water). These seal in that moisture, becoming liquid through the warmth of your hand (not an alcohol/solvent base that dries the leather) rubbing it in and solid again at room temp.