How serious is mold, really?
I am not so good with grey areas. If the mold isn’t extensive, and you treat it, how prone is it to coming back with normal use? Do you trust it to be stored with precious or expensive bags? Would you gift it to a loved one? I’m troubled by recommendations to never again dunk a bag that has been treated for mold. It makes me concerned that less than ideal storage, or getting caught in a rain storm, will make it shed spores again when another bag would do fine
I’m asking partly for my own collection, but mostly because I’m rehabbing a bag for my MIL that has a tiny mold area. I checked with UV light after treatment (2x vinegar and 1x concrobium), and it didn’t fluoresce, but I know it might not be the right type of mold or that there could be mold beneath the surface. I am not against risking the bag in this case if there’s a more definitive method I haven’t seen
I can either gift her a Janice that she’d like more, but had mold at one point, or a Fletcher in great condition but that doesn’t have the same character. I’d prefer to give her the Janice, but I’d feel awful if it’s just going to be a liability for her other items at some point. What would you do?