Why does leather smell like fish? [9 solutions]

Why does leather smell like fish? Removing the unpleasant fish smell from your leather furniture and accessories is not as difficult as it may seem.

There are measures you may implement to return a sofa, bag, pocketbook, or other item to its original state without having to completely replace it.

Why do leather items smell like fish?

There are numerous reasons why leather goods could smell like fish.

Even though just one of these could potentially be the primary cause of the fish smell on your leather goods, other circumstances might result from a combination of different factors.

Below are the primary reasons why leather smells like fish.

Mold or mildew

Mold or mildew can easily cause your leather item to smell fishy.

This is a rather prevalent issue with leather bags, particularly those kept in moist or humid environments for extended periods.

The leather may begin to smell like fish due to deterioration caused by mold or mildew.

Therefore, it is advisable to look for indications of mold or mildew before storing your leather goods.

Keep in mind that storing leather goods in a moist place should be avoided at all costs.

This is because the fungus that causes mold and mildew tends to proliferate rapidly, leading to the deterioration of your leather bags in just a couple of weeks.

It is best to get professional assistance if you are unsure whether these fungi are present in your leather bag.

Leather tanning process

The oils used during the leather tanning process are one of the main contributing factors to leather smelling like fish.

Tanning is a key step in the leather-making process.

Tanning is the process of converting raw animal skins into leather.

However, certain leather tanners or dealers tend to use unfiltered inexpensive fish oil to treat or soften the leather during the tanning process.

The unsaturated bonds created by these relatively cheap oils react with the air, turning it rancid thereby giving the leather that unpleasant fishy smell we all detest.

It’s typically far more difficult to handle leather with fish smell because of this reason.

This is because the unfiltered oils that are used to treat leather during the tanning process penetrate deeply into the leather’s fibers.

Therefore, merely washing the leather or letting it air out won’t usually remove the smell.

The fishy smell progressively gets worse day by day, depending on how much heat, moisture, and sunlight the leather is exposed to.

Considering everything mentioned above, one must wonder why the fish smell is usually unnoticed when a leather item is initially bought.

Naturally, the fish smell at the store may go unnoticed when you are selecting the leather item because the fish oil treatment typically has a pleasant scent in the early stages. Eventually, these oils begin to chemically break down.

Afterward, these oils begin to release the fish smell.

Fish oil is frequently used in the leather industry. However, since high-quality fish oils are more stable and do not degrade or go rancid, only these types of oils must be used.

Original packaging

Leather items, such as purses, belts, and bags, are typically packaged to preserve their freshness when you receive them.

The issue with this is that various leather glues and dyes are used throughout the manufacturing process, which produces bad smells.

This is made considerably worse when combined with the plastic covering.

The plastic retains the original smell and this will make it linger longer when you open the packet, and then a strong fish smell occurs.

Age of the leather item

The age of the leather bag is another factor contributing to its fish smell.

Sweat and natural skin oil can seep into your leather goods over time.

The age of the item is another factor contributing to the fishy scent of leather goods.

Leather goods may eventually absorb sweat and the natural oil from your skin.

Old leather items are more likely to smell like fish. This can be explained by the natural oxidation process, which is the result of chemical reactions between the leather and the air.

Aged leather is more vulnerable to thiol compounds in general, which can cause the entire leather object to intensely smell like fish.

The likelihood that chemicals will cause an item to oxidize and smell like fish increases with time.

Pet urine

An unpleasant smell might have been left behind if your pet urinated on a leather product.

You could try using an enzymatic cleanser to eliminate pet urine odors.

Furthermore, make sure your pet stays far away from your leather products.

Improper storage

Due to its high porosity, leather easily absorbs both good and bad odors from its surroundings.

That is to say, if the leather is not correctly preserved or positioned, it will absorb the scent of everything around it.

It is not necessary to place the leather near the fish for it to smell like fish.

The majority of the time, I observe that improperly preserved leather tends to absorb a variety of unpleasant odors over time and this combination ends up causing fish smell.

It is therefore possible to prevent your leather bag from smelling like fish or something similar by storing them appropriately.

Faux leather

Why does faux leather smell like fish? Faux leather, another name for synthetic leather, occasionally has a fish smell.

This is because these kinds of leather are composed of synthetic components.

Therefore, because these chemicals have a strong smell, they may make the faux leather have a fish-like smell if it is exposed to heat, sweat, body oils, or water for a prolonged period.

Cigarette smoke

A fishy odor may come from cigarette smoke seeping into a leather item.

Sometimes the smell is there, but we are unable to detect it.

Make sure to keep your leather bags and other items away from any lit cigarettes if you’re a smoker.

Old food

The reason for a leather bag smelling like fish could be food residue left inside.

Use warm water and light soap to give the item a thorough cleaning to get rid of the smell.

Ensure that every nook and cranny is covered to eradicate any remnants of the old food.

How do you get fish smell out of leather?

Below are various effective methods you can use to remove the fish smell, chemical smell, and other unpleasant odours from your leather item:

Air dry

Air drying is the most natural method for getting rid of fish smell in leather.

The leather bag must be left in a well-ventilated area that isn’t hot or humid.

The best place to leave the leather item is outside so it can breathe, or it can be left in a room with a fan or air conditioner.

It is recommended to allow the leather product to sit overnight, after which the smell will begin to fade naturally. The likelihood of the leather bag smelling worse increases if you leave it in a hot place.

Disinfectant

Most unpleasant odours can be eliminated by sterilizing your leather bag with a disinfectant.

Make sure to clean the leather bag properly with a paper towel or damp cloth before applying a disinfectant.

It may be a good idea to spray the leather bag and then wait a few minutes before cleaning it.

Baking soda

Baking soda is an old-school method for getting rid of smells. Put the leather bag in a garbage bag or plastic bag.

Confirm that the bag has adequate space to contain the entire leather item.

Add a suitable amount of baking soda. If necessary, you can use a lot of baking soda.

Close the bag and give it a gentle shake to evenly distribute the baking soda throughout the item.

Lemon juice

Everything smells great when cleaned with lemon juice. Thus, everyone can adopt this natural technique.

Apply some lemon juice to the leather bag using a microfiber cloth. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and then wipe it off. Any lingering fish or chemical smell should be eliminated from your leather bag.

Soap solution

Consider using a soap solution if you’re nevertheless experiencing problems getting rid of the fish smell. Use a small amount of warm water and a few drops of mild liquid dish soap to clean your leather bag. Any bacteria creating fish smells will be broken down by the soap.

It is more appropriate to use a sponge to gently wipe with soapy water, then rinse with just warm water.

Gently brush in circular motions to eliminate the smell; avoid over scrubbing as this could damage the leather.

White vinegar

White vinegar is readily available and may be used for almost any type of cleaning.

The acidic nature of white vinegar can effectively eliminate the fishy scent from any leather item.

Therefore, you can use this method to successfully deal with any smell coming from outside or inside of your leather item (this applies to leather purses, jackets, wallets, and other items having both inner and outer parts).

The white vinegar method is perfect if you prefer not to get your leather item excessively wet while trying to get rid of the fish smell.

• Combine water and white vinegar in equal amounts. Put it inside a small cup or spray bottle.
• Ensure that there is no loose dirt or dust on your leather item by wiping the leather clean using a soft towel.
• The leather surface should be sprayed with the vinegar solution and then left to sit for a few minutes. Let it sit for a longer period if the odor remains.
• You may try undiluted white vinegar if the fishy smell is quite strong, but you should leave it on for a shorter time. Make sure you wipe the leather clean with a clean, damp towel afterward.
• After eliminating the smell, use a dry microfiber towel to wipe the entire surface and then apply leather cleaner.

An undiluted solution can be placed in a bowl next to the leather item if you prefer not to apply the vinegar solution directly to it. However, it may take a couple of days for it to absorb the undesirable smell.

Remember, the protective layer of your leather item may be broken down by vinegar due to its acidic nature. When the protective layer is removed or damaged the leather becomes more vulnerable to dryness, which can cause peeling and cracking.

This is why I always advise dilution of the vinegar with equal parts water.

Dry coffee grounds

Another way to get rid of leather smells is by using dry coffee grounds. Just sprinkle them over your leather item and leave them to sit for a couple of hours. Then, wipe off using a paper towel.

You might need to do this several times to get rid of the fishy smell entirely.

Odor neutralizer

Consider using an odor neutralizer if the leather item still smells fishy after trying to get rid of it. These products are made primarily to remove smells from leather and textiles. Apply a substantial amount on your leather bag, then allow it to sit for a few minutes before cleaning it with a paper towel or damp cloth.

Why does fake leather smell of fish?

Faux leather typically has a fish smell because oils are used during the manufacturing or tanning processes.

Although there are many methods of producing faux leather, most of them entail using fish oil for tanning or sealing.

Additionally, formaldehyde gases, pesticides, coatings, glues, dyes, and other chemicals used in production can also give off fish smells.

The packaging in which faux leather is shipped, the glue that is used, the preservation chemical, the protective coating, and extended storage times can all contribute to this smell.

FAQ

Conclusion

Make sure that the fish smell in your leather is adequately addressed by carrying out the required measures. Be patient and apply as many suggestions and techniques as you can for optimum results. It can be challenging to pinpoint the cause of the smell, and regular cleaning may not be able to get rid of it entirely.

Nobody likes to have smelling furniture or leather items in their home! Therefore, feel free to start searching for a suitable replacement if nothing else seems to work except replacing the item itself.

You’ll be able to successfully get rid of unpleasant fishy smells from your home with these suggestions.

I hope this guide is of immense help to you.