Vachetta Leather Mold Killer Kit V5.mk by Leather Doctor® is a Leather-Safe™ fungicide mold killer, sanitizer, and deodorizer specifically designed for Vachetta and all vegetable-tanned leathers.
What is Vachetta?
Vachetta is a type of vegetable-tanned leather often referred to as:
- Saddlery leather
- Bridle leather
- Equestrian leather
- Craft or tooling leather
Commonly found in:
- Bags, boots, wallets, saddles, furniture.
Why Does Mold Grow on Vachetta?
- Vachetta is natural and biodegradable.
- It is more absorbent than most finished leathers.
- Mold spores flourish in the presence of:
- Moisture
- Limited air circulation
- Moderate temperature
- Lack of sunlight
What Damage Does Mold Cause?
- Draws nutrients from the leather’s fat and oil.
- Leads to dry rot, stiffness, and eventual cracking.
- Results in:
- Musty odor
- Dark mold spots
- Sinking pits that may require physical removal.
How to Prevent Mold on Vachetta
- Avoid water damage and store in a low-humidity environment.
- Use Mold 3.6 for preventive anti-fungal treatment.
- Apply treatment every 8 months for long-term protection.
How to Decontaminate Mold from Vachetta
- Contain and dispose of affected material safely.
- Erase mold residue using Eraser 4.
- Clean with:
- Mold 1.5 (pH 1.5 cleaner)
- Rinse with Leather Acidifier 2.0 (pH 2.0)
- Disinfect with Mold 3.6 (pH 3.6) to control odor and fungi.
How to Restore Suppleness to Vachetta
- Hydrating with Hydrator 3.3 to relax the fibers.
- Fatliquoring with Fatliquor 5.0 Plus to replenish fat and oil.
How to Lighten Darkened Vachetta
- Treat discoloration and suntanning with Vachetta 2.8, using a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction.
How to Protect Vachetta
- Apply Conditioner B to:
- Shield against sticky soiling
- Reduce scuffing
- Maintain a non-stick finish
Kit V5.mk 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill require 620g / 1238g / 2471g or 0.7quart / 1.4quarts / 2.8quarts of distilled water shake well before use:
✅ Leather Mold Cleaner 1.5 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Acidifying Conditioner 2.0 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Mold Odor Killer 3.6 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Hydrating Conditioner 3.3 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Fatliquoring Conditioner 5.0 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Vachetta Leather Redox Treatment Conditioner 2.8 - 2ozfill / 4ozfill / 8ozfill
✅ Leather Buttery Feel Conditioner B - 2ozfill / 4ozfill / 8ozfill
✅ Brush 1 - 1pc
✅ Eraser 4 - 1pc
✅ Foam 2 - 1pc
✅ Towel 5 - 5pcs
11 Products Descriptions:
Mold 1.5 is designed for use as the first step before long-term fungicidal treatment with Mold Killer 3.6.
Key Benefits:
- Discourages mold regrowth — The low pH environment helps inhibit future mold activity.
- Strengthens leather structure — Enhances ionic bonding between the leather’s protein fibers and its original tanning agents and fatliquors.
- Safe for delicate leathers — Suitable for aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, and other absorbent leathers when used as directed.
Leather Acidifying Conditioner 2.0 by Leather Doctor® is a professional-grade Leather-Safe™, pH-balanced 2.0 acidifying rinse conditioner scientifically designed to restore and maintain leather’s natural pH balance.
- Leather natural pH of 3.0 to 5.0 when gets overexposure to alkaline products (such as soaps, detergents, ammonia, saddle soap, or baking soda) weakens leather fibers, causes browning, dye bleeding, streaking, and tackiness, and accelerates structural damage.
Acidifier 2.0 neutralizes alkaline contamination, restores smoothness, and reinforces leather strength—conditioning and keeping your investment in premium leathers healthy, supple, and long-lasting.
Key Benefits
- Neutralizes alkaline residues from cleaners and aging sweat
- Prevents dye bleeding, streaking, and browning discoloration
- Reduces tackiness and restores natural texture
- Strengthens leather fibers to resist structural weakening
- Essential pH balancing and conditioning step in leather restoration care
- Discourages mold regrowth, the low pH environment helps inhibit future mold activity.
Leather Hydrating Conditioner 3.3 by Leather Doctor® is a professional-grade Leather-Safe™, pH-balanced 3.3 aqueous surfactant solution designed to clean, hydrate, relax, restore, and condition leather’s internal structure
- Based on tannery science, this unique formula replicates the hydration stage of leather pre-conditioning, making it essential before effective fatliquoring with Fatliquor 5.0.
When leather becomes dry, stiff, or shrunken, the fibers collapse and bond together.
- Hydrator 3.3 penetrates deeply, rehydrates the collapsed fibers, balances the pH, conditions and prepares the structure for deep fat and oil conditioning.
- It also helps suspend and wick out impurities such as body oils, sweat, alkaline residues, and embedded soiling that compromise softness and flexibility.
Unlike water alone, Hydrator 3.3 reduces surface tension, ensuring deeper fiber penetration and uniform hydration.
- This critical pre-conditioning step restores suppleness, prevents patchiness, and maximizes the effectiveness of Fatliquor 5.0.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Rehydrates Stiff or Collapsed Fibers – Restores essential moisture to dried-out or aged leather.
- Prepares for Fatliquoring – Opens the leather’s fiber structure so Fatliquor 5.0 can penetrate and bond effectively.
- pH-Balances (3.3) – Realigns ionic charges to prevent alkaline damage and improve fatliquor bonding.
- Suspends & Flushes Impurities – Helps wick out sweat, body oils, soiling, and chemical residues from within the fibers.
- Restores Suppleness & Softness – Reduces stiffness and ensures even conditioning results without patchiness.
- Tannery-Science Formula – Replicates the professional hydration step used in tanning and re-tanning processes.
- Versatile Use – Suitable for vachetta, nubuck, suede, aniline, full-grain, semi-aniline, vegetable-tanned and hair-on-hide leather.
Leather Fatliquoring Conditioner 5.0 by Leather Doctor® is a Leather-Safe™ pH 5.0 anionic emulsion of fat, oil, and water fatliquoring conditioner for replenishing and softening dry leather, in line with its tannery science-based function.
Fatliquor 5.0 restores leather’s internal lubrication, flexibility, strength, and resilience, replenishing the original fatliquor content of leather’s fibrous structure—mimicking the essential fatliquoring stage in professional tanning and retanning processes.
Key Benefits:
- Lubricates, nourishes and conditions the leather structure
- Fatliquor 5.0 deposits fat and oil molecules that bond to the amphoteric protein fibers.
- These lubricate the fibrils, allowing them to slide over each other without stiffness, brittleness, or cracking.
- Reinforces tensile strength and elasticity
- Proper fatliquor conditioning prevents fiber embrittlement and maintains leather’s natural strength and softness.
- Restores suppleness and prevents future damage
- Leather loses fatliquor over time due to aging, heat, sunlight, alkaline exposure, or cleaning.
- Replenishing it prevents shrinkage, stiffness, and cracks.
- Provides long-term structural protection
- Maintains leather’s dimensional stability and ability to flex without damage.
Tannery Science Basis:
- In the tannery, fatliquoring is one of the final and most critical stages after tanning and dyeing.
- It ensures that leather stays soft, strong, and flexible as it dries.
- The fats and oils form a molecular film around the protein fibers, acting as internal lubricants.
- Fatliquor 5.0 brings this same process to leather restoration.
- It ensures the leather is not just “looking good on the surface” but structurally rejuvenated from within.
With pH-balanced of 3.6, it effectively disinfects and eliminates musty odors caused by mold activity after thorough cleaning and decontamination.
- It provides a comprehensive solution to restore and protect leather from mold-related damage while maintaining its natural integrity.
Vachetta Leather Redox Treatment Conditioner 2.8 by Leather Doctor is a Leather-Safe™ Redox (oxidation-reduction reactor) conditioner for lightening browning, suntanning, and water-spotting stains.
Treating Browning Vachetta with Redox Reaction Conditioner
- Browning in Vachetta requires an oxidation-reduction (Redox) reaction treatment. This should only be performed when the leather is dry.
- A redox conditioning system uses both oxidation and reduction reactions to safely bleach out unwanted discoloration, remove stains, or reverse darkening.
Leather Buttery Feel Conditioner B by Leather Doctor® is a Leather-Safe™ pH-balanced, 3.2 buttery feel, non-yellowing, non-stick, rub-resistant conditioner scientifically formulated to enhance durability, prevent friction wear, and protect all smooth leather surfaces.
- Condition B creates a soft, buttery feel while preserving leather’s natural breathability and flexibility.
Key Benefits:
- Increases Wet & Dry Rub Resistance – Minimizes stretch, scuffing, and wear.
- Enhances Durability – Builds a shield against everyday abrasion and friction.
- Prevents Sticky Soiling – Stops dirt and stains from embedding into the leather.
- Resists Ink & Dye Transfer – Helps release ballpoint ink marks and dye stains.
- Reduces Friction Noise – Improves the touch with a smooth, quieter glide.
- Imparts a Non-Sticky Surface – Eliminates tackiness for a refined buttery feel.
- Maintains Leather’s Breathability – Keeps leather soft, supple, and flexible.
Leather Brush 1 by Leather Doctor® is a detailing horsehair brush designed for gentle, scratch-free cleaning on all smooth leathers.
Foam 2 is a 2-inch high-density polyfoam brush designed for durable, precise, and smooth application of leather care products. 
Towel 5 by Leather Doctor is a high-performance, lint-free paper towel designed to perform like cloth for efficient cleaning and drying without leaving residues 
Leather Eraser 4 by Leather Doctor® is used on all leather, nubuck, and fine suede for dry and wet cleaning with better greasy and gummy soil traction.
Instruction:
1️⃣ Step 1 - Mold Cleaning:
- Mold 1.5 works with Eraser 4 for erasing and detailing Brush 1 for penetrating, lubricating, and suspending the soiling, before towel extraction, until the towel shows clean.
2️⃣ Step 2 - Acidifying Rinse:
- Acidifier 2.0 is applied and worked again with Brush 1 and Eraser 4 for better soiling removal.
- Repeat application, brushing, and towel extraction to ensure the changed folding side is clean and ready for hydration.
3️⃣ Step 3 - Hydrating:
- Hydrator 3.3 is applied and brushed using Brush 1 to distribute and be absorbed into the leather structure.
- When the leather appears evenly with moisture saturation, staking, massaging, and flexing return the leather for fatliquoring.
4️⃣ Step 4 - Fatliquoring:
- Fatliquor 5.0 Plus is applied and brushed using Brush 1 to distribute and be absorbed into the leather structure.
- It is repeatedly applied each time the water content evaporates until the leather takes no more.
- It is left to slow natural drying and before it is fully dried, staking, massaging, or flexing until fully dry will result in a softer leather.
- Sticky residue is wiped off with Hydrator 3.3 ready for fungicidal treatment.
5️⃣ Step 5 - Mold Treatment:
- Mold 3.6 is transferred to a foam brush or detailing Brush 1 and brushed into the leather for an even appearance, and left to natural drying.
- When spraying a breathing mask is recommended.
6️⃣ Step 6 - Redox Treatment:
- Apply Vachetta 2.8 by brush or towel for an absorbed darkening effect.
- Extract excess product with a dry towel to achieve an even appearance.
- Allow the leather to dry and inspect the results.
7️⃣ Step 7 - Conditioning:
- Protector B is sprayed and spread out with a lint-free towel let dry and the leather is ready to use.
Compound Issues: Zone 1: Body Oil, Grease & Sweat Darkening Effect; Zone 2: Leather Dryness Leads to Cracks; Zone 3: Mold Growth; & Zone 4: Ring Discoloration.
Closed-up View of Mold Growth.
Optional Degreasing system with Kit V5.mk
- Vachetta Leather Mold Killer Kit V5.mk
- Leather pH Balanced Degreaser 2.2
- Leather Rinsing Conditioner 3.0
This sequence is designed to remove contamination first, then correct dryness, eliminate mold, browning, and friction, without shocking or over-drying fragile Vachetta.
OVERVIEW: WHY SEQUENCE MATTERS
Vachetta leather is absorbent and unprotected.
If mold, grease, or alkalinity is trapped inside the fiber structure, conditioning alone will lock problems in.
STEP-BY-STEP TREATMENT SEQUENCE
1️⃣ STEP 1 — Dry Surface Preparation
Purpose: Remove loose spores and surface debris without spreading contamination.
- Use a dry microfiber towel or soft horsehair brush.
- Use Eraser 4 for better traction to remove surface pores and debris.
- Gently vacuum or wipe off all mold-affected areas
- Do not use water at this stage
⏱ Time: 5–10 minutes
⚠️ Avoid aggressive brushing on cracked edges
2️⃣ STEP 2 — Body Oil, Grease & Sweat Removal
Product: Leather pH Balanced Degreaser 2.2
Purpose: Release body oil, grease, and sweat that attract mold and cause darkening.
- Shake to gel before applying Degreaser 2.2 with detailing horsehair brush for an even absorbent darkening effect.
- Work from center of stain outward, gently agitating.
- Extract with white dry terry cotton towel, until towel shows clean.
- Repeat until satisfactorily.
⏱ Dwell time: 3–5 minutes
Work from the centre of the stain and spread out the entire section for an even appearance.
3️⃣ STEP 3 — Residue Flush & pH Reset
Product: Leather Rinsing Conditioner 3.0
Purpose: Remove suspended grease and neutralize residues left by degreasing.
- Apply Rinse 3.0 evenly with a clean cloth
- Wipe-extract until the towel shows clean.
- This step removes suspended soiling and pH-balances to a healthy, squeaky feel.
⏱ Drying time: 30–60 minutes (air dry, no heat, no fan)
4️⃣ STEP 4 — Mold Removal
Product: Leather Mold Cleaner 1.5
Purpose: Remove mold on contact without bleaching or stiffening Vachetta.
- Apply and work with detailing horsehair brush for an even absorbent darkening effect.
- Wipe-extract until the towel shows clean.
- Change cloths frequently to avoid cross-contamination
⏱ Dwell time: 10 minutes
⏱ Drying time: 1–2 hours (until leather feels cool-dry, not surface dry)
5️⃣ STEP 5 — Mold Spore & Odor Control
Product: Leather Mold Odor Killer 3.6
Purpose: Neutralize airborne spores and prevent regrowth inside the fiber structure.
- Apply and work with detailing horsehair brush for an even absorbent darkening effect.
- Allow to absorb naturally
- Do not wipe off
⏱ Drying time: 1–2 hours
Tip: Natural airflow is ideal; avoid enclosed rooms.
6️⃣ STEP 6 — Fiber Rehydration
Product: Leather Hydrating Conditioner 3.3
Purpose: Reintroduce bound moisture to leather.
- Apply sparingly with sponge, towel or brush.
- Massage gently for an even absorbent darkening effect.
- Let leather absorb slowly to the fullest.
⏱ Drying time: 6–12 hours (overnight preferred)
⚠️ This step opens up the inter-fibrillar leather structure for effective fatliquoring — do not skip!
7️⃣ STEP 7 — Fatliquoring (Internal Fat and Oil Restoration)
Product: Leather Fatliquoring Conditioner 5.0
Purpose: Restore internal lubrication and flexibility.
Focus on edges, armrests, and stress points
Allow full absorption between coats for an even absorbent darkening effect.
⏱ Drying time: 12–24 hours
Tips: Multiple applications until leather absorbed no more.
8️⃣ STEP 8 — Browning Rings & Discoloration Correction
Products:
- Leather Acidifying Conditioner 2.0
- Vachetta Leather Redox Treatment Conditioner 2.8
Purpose: Correct alkaline damage and reduce oxidation rings.
Order matters:
- Apply Acidifying Conditioner 2.0 to rebalance pH.
- After drying (1–2 hours), apply Redox 2.8 progressively.
- Allow natural drying to see result, repeat if necessary.
⏱ Results improve over multiple sessions — avoid rushing.
9️⃣ STEP 9 — Friction Reduction & Final Tactile Feel
Product: Leather Buttery Feel Conditioner B
Purpose: Reduce friction rubs, sticky soiling, improve hand feel.
- Apply and spread with lint free towel.
- Buff gently when dry.
⏱ Final cure: 12 hours before regular use
FINAL NOTES (VERY IMPORTANT)
- ❌ No heat guns, hair dryers, or sun exposure
- ✅ Always work light → dry → reassess
- ✅ Expect gradual improvement, not instant cosmetic perfection
This sequence is Leather-Safe™, and reversible, which is exactly what Vachetta demands.
How to Identify Leather Stains?
Stain identification is crucial for effective treatment and is based on six key factors:
1. Appearance
- Observing how the stain looks can indicate whether it is a spill, rub-on, penetration, or surface deposit
- Some stains may cause dye or finish damage, revealing changes in the leather’s color or texture.
2. Odor
- Smelling the stain can help identify its source.
- Common odors include:
- Moldy (fungal growth)
- Smoke (fire or cigarette exposure)
- Putrid (decaying organic matter)
- Ammonia (urine contamination)
3. Color
- Color provides a clue to the staining substance but can change over time due to oxidation.
- The leather’s natural color may also influence how the stain appears.
- Red stains: Could be from wine, blood, lipstick, nail polish, or beverages.
- Blood stains: Can oxidize and shift from red to tan, then to black.
4. Feel-of-Hand
- Touching the stain helps determine its type:
- Sticky: Likely from candy, beverages, or sugary substances.
- Brittle and stiff: Could be nail polish, paint, or shellac.
- Greasy smear: Often caused by lipstick, oils, or butter.
5. Location
- The stain’s location on the leather provides hints about its origin.
- Headrests & armrests: Usually stained by body oil, sweat, and grease.
- Seat cushions: Often show food or beverage spills.
6. Buildup or Absorbed?
- Stains can be surface-level (built-up) or deeply absorbed into the leather.
- Built-up stains (common on pigmented leather) include paint, food residue, and ink.
- Absorbed stains (common on nubuck, aniline, and unfinished leather) include wine, tea, and coffee.
- Combination stains: Some stains contain both absorbed and surface elements, such as lipstick, ink, and mustard.
- Protein-based stains: Examples include blood, dairy, and egg-based spills.
- Oil-based stains: Often come from grease, butter, and lotions.
- Colloidal stains: May require specialized treatments.
7. Additional Considerations:
- Sweat stains can chemically alter leather, causing tackiness (when dry) or sliminess (when wet).
- Dye stains may show up when wiping with a white towel—this indicates color crocking.
- Fatliquor leaching (spew) appears as a milky film and causes leather to become stiff and prone to cracking.
By carefully identifying stains, you can apply the appropriate Leather Doctor® solutions to restore leather to its original beauty.
Vachetta Leather Problem-Solving Matrix
How to Use the Vachetta Leather Problem-Solving Matrix?
- The matrix categorizes common issues with vachetta into five groups: Soil, Stain, Odor, Finish, and Structure (listed in the left column).
- Corresponding recommended products are displayed across the top row.
- Each number within the matrix indicates the steps required to address the problem holistically.
For example
- If a leather issue involves an unknown compound that combines soil, stain, and odor, follow the sequence across the matrix, combining necessary steps from each category.
- The process should always conclude with
- Hydrator 3.3 to rehydrate and relax the leather.
- Fatliquor 5.0 to replenish lost fats and oils, restoring suppleness.
- Protector B conditioning the leather for ongoing durability.
Email Comments by G. D. on 2-Feb-2019:
I want to tell you how unbelievably grateful I am for your products. They are just amazing and there is absolutely nothing else like them. I’m able to restore vintage Louis Vuitton bags to the point where before and after pictures of the leather are hard to believe. So a very big thank you!!
We welcome your feedback to continuously improve this manual and better address your leather care concerns.
Updated: Aug 23, 2024.| April 15, 2025 | January 30, 2026 by Roger Koh