We went to a community sale

**Judi Dial** · 09-11-2010, 09:57 AM

on Labor Day. DH just bought a motorcycle and we found a leather bomber jacket that had started to mildew. We paid $3 for a L.L. Bean leather coat and then tried my method of dealing with mildew on books on the jacket, and it worked! So, for a little elbow grease DH has a old (new to us) leather jacket for $3.

One of the cuffs needs to be replaced, but we even found places online we can do that, if we want! The cost will still be way less than what the coat would have cost new.

Judi

**frugalfranny** · 09-11-2010, 03:21 PM

Great shopping! glad you found such a great treasure!

How about sharing how you deal with the mold on book covers? That sounds interesting...........please!

**nuisance26** · 09-11-2010, 03:46 PM

~That was a great deal and fix by you!
What is your mildew removal method? I'm sure a lot of villagers would love to know!~

**mauimagic** · 09-11-2010, 06:12 PM

What a great find!!

**Momto5RN** · 09-11-2010, 06:24 PM

woo hoo great deal !

**Judi Dial** · 09-11-2010, 07:13 PM

The method is plain old rubbing alcohol. However, that said, if you use too much you stand the chance of 1)removing any dyes and 2) if the item is lacquered like paperbacks or some leather, you can make it "sticky" by dissolving too much of the lacquer. Also, NEVER use it on uncoated (unlacquered) paper or cloth, you either will damage it beyond repair or have to try and get the entire piece wet the same way all over, impossible for me to do after nearly 30 years of doing this!

If you really want to do this, get a staining pad (paint supply store, terry cloth covered sponge) and get it damp, NOT WET, and then lightly "clean" a book or piece of leather you don't care about on one side. Wait a few seconds...does it dry or does it feel "sticky"? If it's sticky, you used too much.

After you do this several times, you'll probably only ruin a few things a year, like me.

Judi