Perhaps you have an amazing leather jacket. Maybe you even possess a large number of leather jackets, whether suede or a different design, like leather biker jackets. Yet you hadn’t considered how to clean leather jackets until lately, if at all. Finally, you’ll be able to keep appreciating the look and advantages of a like-new leather jacket.
You will find several YouTube channels and leather maintenance websites offering “quick” suggestions, clever tactics, and the popular DIY methods to clean your leather jackets quickly is, for most of us, sounds a bit far-fetched. In this article, we’ll discuss how to clean your jacket in a simple but very efficient manner.
Leather Jackets – How to Clean Them at Home
Cleaning leather jackets may not be as difficult as it appears. Before you begin cleansing your jacket, there are a few things to consider.
1. Examine Labels
Before diving into this vital topic, it’s prudent to examine the labels on the inside of your leather jacket. Frequently, you will discover care preparations and, more often than not, specific cleaning recommendations that may be really beneficial.
Oftentimes, we are unaware of the specific sort of leather we own, the applied treatments or procedures, and so erring on the side of caution when it comes to cleaning may be a terrible notion for anyone. At that point, maintenance instructions and guidelines come to the rescue.
With that stated, hand cleaning a leather jacket is doable, very time-saving, and affordable.
2. Acquaint yourself with the various types of leather
To begin, it is critical to understand the sort of skin you are going to clean. The aforementioned assists you in selecting the most effective cleaning goods and procedures for your specific kind of leather. Thus, it is prudent to inquire about the leather jacket’s specifications at the moment of acquisition or shortly afterward if the provider is easily accessible. U
Untreated or natural leather is uncoated; however, processed leather items are coated. A great suggestion is to touch the garment to see whether it is soft; this indicates that it has not been treated. If it isn’t, or if it has a layer that seems a little like plastic, the leather has been treated.
Additionally, it is important to note that coated or treated leather is considerably simpler to clean than untreated leather since natural leather tends to change to a different color when washed. That’s why you must use extreme caution while cleaning any genuine leather.
3. Removing Dust From Your Leather Jacket.
Begin by cleaning and wiping the leather garment with a soft brush or cloth to remove oil or dust accumulation. You must clean the whole top layer of the garment, paying particular attention to the dustier corners. It would be best if you worked in a circular motion to avoid causing harm to the item.
Many individuals overlook dusting their leather early on, which results in dust becoming more obvious over time, making cleaning subsequently on all the more arduous.
4. Clean Leather Using Leather Cleaning Products
Put a leather cleaner on a cloth depending on the kind of leather you are cleaning. As with jackets, you may clean leather shoes using saddle soap. It is essential to check the directions on the cleaner box to ensure that the solution is appropriate for the kind of leather you are going to clean.
For vintage leather textures, methylated spirits are ideal; however, for jackets and bags, a gentle soapy water solution that you may apply lightly and in a circular fashion to the top of the leather item works best.
5. Take Care of the Leather
Following that, you’ll want to condition the leather jacket entirely until it feels smooth and supple. When selecting a leather conditioner, ensure that you get a high-quality product.
Apart from washing a leather jacket, You may also use leather conditioning to protect and increase the suppleness of a leather jacket if it becomes wet or snowy.
Before doing this, do a test to determine the leather’s colorfastness, applying a clean cloth on an inner leather place. If the dye transfers to the fabric, it is NOT permanent on the leather. As a result, you should refrain from proceeding.
How to Get Rid of Leather Jacket Odors
Using vinegar to remove any form of unpleasant odor from a leather jacket is a simple process. Again, You must emphasize prudence. Whatever may be achieved for one kind of leather jacket or many types of leather jackets may not work for another; thus, completing a spot test is recommended.
You may continue if the region does not discolor, fade, or get damaged in any way by combining equal parts vinegar inside a little spray bottle or by dabbing the liquid onto a soft, clean cloth. You should apply this carefully to the outside of your jacket.
The vinegar’s acidity neutralizes the stench until there is no trace of it behind. The vinegar odor will also dissipate.
You may use bicarbonate powder to clean the inside of your jacket, like the lining as a safe component, put baking soda liberally inside a pillowcase or large zip-lock bag, and set the leather jacket inside.
Leave for the night or a period of 24 hours. As the timer sounds, remove your jacket and clean away any bicarbonate powder excess with a towel. Suppose the stench is no longer detectable; congratulations! Otherwise, repeat the procedure.
Cleaning the Lining of a Leather Jacket at Home
When trying to remove a smell from the inside of your jacket, referred to as the lining, you have many alternatives. To begin, you may attempt to air out your jacket. Keeping it out of direct sunshine or any other heat source and letting it just… air out naturally.
Another possibility is to use bicarbonate powder. Begin by sprinkling bicarbonate powder over the interior of the leather jacket and then misting the areas that the baking soda has covered with a lukewarm water spray.
Allow around 20 min, and then check. If the bicarbonate powder is dry, dust off the bicarbonate powder remains with a clean, moist cloth. Allow further drying time before determining if the smell has been eliminated.
As usual, you should perform a test before continuing. Cleaning the inner of the leather jacket will need a mild detergent that is safe for most materials and jacket liners. Dab a clean cloth into the solution after combining a little amount of mild washing powder with some water till the detergent dissolves.
Before implementing to the inner of a leather jacket, check for any surplus liquid. To make working with it simpler, position a leather jacket flat inside out towards you. Wipe down the lining, paying specific attention to the underarm regions and any other places that seem to require cleaning. Keep a close eye out for blemishes or areas of discoloration.
Once finished, thoroughly rinse the sponge and replenish the mixture with clean water. Now, using the sponge, wipe the sponged-down parts of the lining.
When this is finished, dry your leather naturally by hanging it on a cushioned hanger or a sturdy wooden hanger. Keep away from direct sunshine or any other source of heat, whether inside or outside the home.
Cleaner and Conditioner for Leather Jackets
This point may lack any unique do-it-yourself tip, technique, or amazing products to promote. Simply included to emphasize the importance and advantages of using a high-quality leather jacket cleaner and conditioner.
Several sites highlight the usage of leather jacket cleaners and conditioners. Still, few understand how beneficial it is to use these items independently or in combination to create an effective solution.
Much like a leather jacket needs regular cleaning, it also needs protection to ensure that it lasts a long time.
There are now two-in-one and three-in-one products that provide leather jacket cleaner, conditioner, and more if that isn’t convincing enough.
Investing in high-quality products not only helps maintain the longevity of a leather jacket but also protects it from deteriorating and ultimately self-destructing, like using olive oil as a conditioner may do.
Therefore, invest in a high-quality jacket cleaning and conditioner to extend the life of a leather jacket.
Professional Leather Jacket Drying
Dry-cleaning is an easy alternative to having your dress shirt or suit, dress or jacket cleaned and pressed, making them look crisp. Therefore, leather jackets should be no different. Indeed, employing a professional dry cleaner for a leather jacket would be a wise choice for both you and your jacket as long as you select a reputable, experienced firm that has been in operation for years.
Reason: leather jackets and leather items have been a succession of different procedures and treatments to acquire the color, feel, and even the appearance and finish of a leather jacket. Therefore, selecting the proper dry-cleaning establishment is critical, particularly in terms of the services given. While many dry cleaners use natural cleaning agents, some are notorious for employing chemicals that will almost certainly harm a leather jacket. As a result, it is prudent to address all of these problems in advance. Dry-cleaning with chemicals damages leather jackets, destroying all the techniques used to obtain the jacket’s gloss, color, and feel. As such, be wary.
Taking a leather jacket to a natural dry cleaner cleans it and puts it through a restoration process that preserves all the procedures and finishes applied to the garment. Interestingly, many reputable dry cleaners that clean leather jackets provide a variety of other services in addition to merely cleaning a leather jacket. These restoration procedures are often used on antique or historical items, particularly jackets with fur linings or embellishments like high-end designer clothes. Consult your local dry cleaners to learn more about how best to preserve the appearance and life of a leather jacket.
This is why owners of leather jackets are urged to seek expert assistance and advice when it comes to leather jacket cleaning and maintenance if they are incapable of doing it on their own.
Points to Consider
Cleansing a leather jacket may seem to be a reasonably straightforward process at this point. However, it may be prudent to give a few more details about leather jacket cleaning that others may be ignorant of.
1. Abstaining from Bleach and Ammonia
To begin, Don’t use bleach-based or ammonia cleansers or potentially even conditioners that contain these components. These people may rapidly lower the quality of the leather by overly dehydrate it and likely breaking it.
Water is also not a smart option since it tends to discolor some leather jackets. As a result, it is necessary to identify the sort of leather you own. If you ever spill something on a leather jacket, it’s really advisable to blot it quickly and clean it with a soft cloth; otherwise, serious stains will appear rapidly.
Given leather’s porous nature, you can understand how easily it absorbs any liquid.
2. Moisturizing and Conditioning old leather
Another aspect to consider is conditioning and hydrating old leather. Old leather, particularly vintage leather jackets, has acquired a characteristic patina and an aspect known as ‘well-worn’ that can only be attained with time.
This really makes it one-of-a-kind and needs extensive treatment and conditioning to continue to build this one-of-a-kind patina, but careful! It would be best to do it with care to preserve its age and the patina it already has.
3. The Rot of the Red
Finally, it is time to address Red Rot. Although how well-maintained and clean your jacket is, keep an eye out for Red Rot. Put, a condition that causes the composition of leather, ancient leather, to deteriorate.
This often manifests as flaking and peeling of the skin surface, which varies in severity and commodity type. Regardless of how well you condition or clean your jacket, once the leather has developed Red Rot, there absolutely nothing one can do to counter it or slow its progression.
In this case, seek professional aid, which is the only logical course of action. Not only will leather specialists be able to determine whether or not you have Red Rot, but they will also be capable of determining whether or not they can rescue the leather jacket.
If you’re lucky enough to have a salvageable leather jacket, these pros will also have the necessary tools to assist you in resolving this issue. While your jacket may or may not retain its previous aesthetic appeal, this is something that varies from different types of leather jackets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to clean leather using water?
Absolutely, you can clean a leather jacket with water. As long as the water is not immediately utilized on the exterior. A moist, soft cotton rag is often used to clean leather jackets in a variety of ways.
Can you dry-clean a leather jacket?
Yes, you very certainly can. What’s more, the leather jacket will be lavishly pampered, enhancing its appearance and life. Allowing you to use it for an extended period of time.
Can a Leather Jacket be cleaned at a dry cleaner?
Indeed, a dry cleaner is a competent expert who will not only care for a leather jacket properly but will they will also share suggestions with you on how to care for it at home between those dry-cleaning trips.
How is leather cleaned by the Professionals?
It’s essential to consult a dry-cleaning specialist about the specific technique required for a leather jacket. Just as no two jackets are identical, no two dry-cleaning techniques are optimal for every jacket. Thus, it would be prudent to show the expert your jacket and inquire about the best dry cleaning method or other treatment that they might require to restore a leather jacket to its former glory.
What is the Best Way to Clean a Genuine Leather Jacket?
The simplest and most common method to clean a genuine leather jacket is with warm soapy water. As already stated in full.
How to Clean a Real Leather Jacket?
While real leather is the least expensive sort of leather, it can be cleaned in the same way as any other sort of leather. It’s safe to claim that high-quality leathers will perform better than low-quality leathers.
How Much Does a Leather Jacket Cost to Dry Clean?
There really is no single answer to this, and so there is no correct or incorrect one. A decent, respected dry-cleaning company will cost more than one it is not as competent, experienced, or has not been in business for an extended period of time.
How to Clean the Collar of a Leather Jacket?
You may use a pinch of bicarbonate powder to target stains on the collar. Gently massage it into the afflicted region with a gentle brush. You may clean it with a gentle, wet towel. Enabling it to air dry, examine the region to see whether any change has occurred. You may repeat the procedure if a little change occurs. However, for more tenacious stains, it is recommended to seek expert assistance.
How to Remove Mold, Mildew including Fungus from a Leather Jacket?
It is advisable to enable the region to dry fully when dealing with surface mold. After it has dried, wipe the area with a gentle, wet towel. Mold should flake off similarly to dry or cracked skin. Permit the surface to dry completely before inspecting to see whether the mold has been eradicated. You may use a similar method to remove fungus from your jacket. Each is quite similar in nature. Combine 1 part alcohol and one part water to treat mold. Wipe the afflicted area with a gentle, clean cloth. This solution should eradicate mildew. Allow drying completely before inspecting the area.
Additionally, you may remove fungus and mildew from your leather using a soft-bristled brush. For harder fungus, light cloth or sponge bathed in water and a drop of petroleum jelly will suffice. Rub gently until you’ve seen the mildew or mold begin to disintegrate. This is particularly effective with suede and nubuck.
What is the Best Way for cleaning a white Leather Jacket?
Cleaning white leather jackets with one part sodium bicarbonate and three parts water. Gently clean over the jacket with a delicate cloth dipped in this mixture. Once the whole surface has been coated, conclude the procedure by wiping away the solution with a clean, simple water-dampened towel. Allow for natural drying. Avoid storing the jacket near the source of heat.
What is the Best Way to Clean a Lambskin Leather Jacket?
To cleanse a leather jacket made from lambskin, use another clean, soft cloth. Begin by wiping away any filth or blemishes with a clean, moist, soft cotton cloth. Avoid immediately applying water to the surface since this can leave watermarks. After this, use another clean, soft cloth to apply a high-quality hydrating leather conditioner to the jacket’s exterior and interior surfaces. As a side note, it is recommended that lambskin leather be waterproofed before wearing it. As a result, it would be prudent to apply silicon-free water protection to the lambskin jacket’s outside. More significantly, it is essential to hire expert dry cleaners who can execute an appropriate restoration procedure for discoloration, stains, or scratches.
How to Naturally Clean Leather?
A mix of soapy water is the most practical way to clean a leather jacket. After putting a delicate cloth into the liquid, carefully squeeze it out and massage it over the leather jacket’s surface. Another natural treatment is to dilute the vinegar with water. You may clean your jacket at home using the same methods as described previously. Once completed, use a soft handkerchief to aid in the natural drying of the leather.
Unusual Tips For Cleaning Leather Jackets
Did you know that you can remove blemishes from leather with toothpaste? Use a non-gel toothpaste, gently massage a little amount over the discoloration with a delicate cloth. Scrubbing the leather will harm or discolor it. Using a clean, wet towel, wipe away the toothpaste.
Try dabbing a cotton swab into nail polish remover and then applying it to the discolored area, whether it’s ink spots or most other types of stains on leather. If you rub too hard, the discoloration will spread. Dab the stain with a soft cloth until it disappears. Using a clean, moist cloth or a soft, dry towel, wipe the surface.
You may use bicarbonate powder to eradicate grease or oil stains from leather. Apply a little amount of bicarbonate powder to the affected region and gently wipe with a moist cloth. Allow it to remain for a few hours or overnight before wiping away any leftover bicarbonate of soda with a clean, dry towel or cloth.
Not only have we learned that cleaning leather jackets isn’t as difficult as it seems. When done appropriately and with care, the outcomes are almost always good. The only thing to be aware of is falling for the various falsehoods circulating on the internet, particularly since leather jackets may be dry-cleaned.
Before you go…
An essential thing to keep in mind is that investing in high-quality conditioning and cleaning solutions for a leather jacket will ensure its longevity and cleanliness.
You’ve got it all figured out and are ready to put it to the test. When cleaning anything, discretion is always advised, and cleaning a leather jacket is no different.
Meet Craig, the leather guru behind a store and blog that helps you find the best leather products. When he’s not curating lists of top-tier leather items, he’s hiking Table Mountain or walking his dog. Trust his picks, and you’ll never feel leather regret.