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My 5yr old, very heavily used and sweated into leather holster is starting to smell a bit 'off' - anyone know a good way to deodorize them without softening it or otherwise changing the finish ? It doesn't look like the leather is actually degrading (amazingly), it just smells bad.

Thanks - SDS

I remember reading somewhere that a someone used baking soda for this problem. I'll look for the link. I havent ever tried it though.
OTOH I think that anything that would clean/deodorize other leather products would work on your holster.

I did find this, http://www.kleen.com/products/lpld/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Cat litter will take tha stink out of tennis shoes.

J Wilson wrote:Cat litter will take tha stink out of tennis shoes.

NOW you tell me. We use to set my sister's tennis shoes in the window sill at night so they could air out.

J Wilson wrote:Cat litter will take tha stink out of tennis shoes.

Until the cat decides your shoes are the new litter box.

Keith B wrote:

J Wilson wrote:Cat litter will take tha stink out of tennis shoes.

Until the cat decides your shoes are the new litter box.

Brings a whole new visual to 'stepping in the do-do'...

I learned a lot about deodorizing after Hurricanes Rita and Ike. Cat Litter, baking soda, charcoal, and news paper are all good odor absorbents. They are all cheap or free. To deodorize a refrigerator or freezer that had spoiled meat in it you would put about two pounds of baking soda, five pounds of charcoal briquettes or cat litter or a bunch of crumpled news paper in the box, close it up and in a few days all the odor was gone! For a holster I think I'd try the news paper in a sealed container first since the other three are kind of messy on leather.

Thanks guys ! I have all of those things at home so will try them out - many thanks !

Cheers - SDS

If that doesn't work wipe it down good a couple of times with rubbing alcohol and then put Lexol leather preservative on it. Have never tried alcohol on a holster but wear a black felt hat year around and it works on the sweatband very well.

I didn't think this could get so involved. I've always used plain ol glycerin based saddle soap, with a handled horse hair brush.

Used it on everything. Boots, shoes, belts, holsters....even saddles before a show!

It came in a large bar, really pretty. Orange that you could see through. That was so long ago though. Memory escapes the name of it. Shirley it must still be available.

joe817 wrote:I didn't think this could get so involved. I've always used plain ol glycerin based saddle soap, with a handled horse hair brush.

Used it on everything. Boots, shoes, belts, holsters....even saddles before a show!

It came in a large bar, really pretty. Orange that you could see through. That was so long ago though. Memory escapes the name of it. Shirley it must still be available.

Thank goodness for you sir. I was reading this post and thinking "really no one has said saddle soap?"

We have a good number of pieces of tack back home (200 + acres in navasota area) and more than our fair share of horses. I remember growing up as a jr kid making $2/hr to clean tack. Saddles are more expensive than holsters, and horses sweat more than humans...I hope.

It'll work like a champ. Bar of saddle soap or bottle or Lexol (mentioned earlier). IIRC Lexol even makes some oil that you can hit it with afterwards. Also a good natural sponge is preferable IMO and a used toothbrush helps in corners and seams.

Saddle soap was going to be my suggestion as well.

Do keep in mind when using any saddle products that they have oils in them that are meant to soften leather and will break it down. Holsters should stay still so if using any saddle products I would use them very very sparingly if at all.