Getting the leather smell OUT (steam?)?

Question

I know this has been asked before, but...

I just came back from Morocco, where they make excellent leather products. While there I bought a cowskin leather briefcase for myself, and a goatskin purse for my girlfriend. Now I don't normally mind the smell of "fresh" leather, but these two items are VERY fresh from the tannery, and the briefcase in particular REEKS of it - sort of a blend of musk and poo. The goatskin purse was odor-free when I bought it (as goatskin usually is), but I made the mistake of putting them together for the trip home, and now it smells too.

Anyway, does anyone have a practical way to tame this smell? I once had a friend tell me (after I bought a leather jacket that smelled a little) to put new leather in the bathroom during hot showers, and let it be exposed to steam. Does anyone know if this works? Any other ideas?

Thanks very much!!

Answer 1

Place a small container of Baking Soda inside the briefcase and close it up for about seven to ten days, do not open until then, when seven to ten days has elapsed open and remove container of baking soda and allow to air out for a few days this should be placed in a airy room so as to not smell the leather scent escaping the briefcase, same method should be started on the goatskin purse, use fresh baking soda on the purse Good Luck !

Answer 2

The smell comes from the tanning products which are often dung etc. in Morocco and they can be very very hard to get rid of.  We have tried everything we know and the smell still stays.  Regular cleaning with appropriate leather cleaners may help to eradicate it over time (but this may be a long time)

Good luck