Leather is a complex material, but leather care does not have to be complicated. Take some time to learn about leather jacket care, follow these best practices and you should only use periodic treatments to keep your jacket soft and attractive.
Maintaining a Leather Jacket
1) Make your leather waterproof. Many “leather protector” or “leather waterproofing” products, but read the label carefully before purchasing. A silicone polymer spray or acrylic copolymer spray should preserve the look and shine of your leather. Grease-based or wax-based products are more protective but are not recommended for jackets due to their potential effects on color, longevity, shine, and odor. Check the label on your product to determine how long the water resistance lasts. Generally, You should reapply the product only once every few weeks or months.
- This treatment makes the leather jacket resistant to water damage. Still, it is not entirely waterproof even if the treatment claims otherwise. Never immerse a leather jacket in water or put it in the washing machine.
2)Apply leather conditioner occasionally. Rubbing in the leather conditioner removes oil from the leather, prevents excessive dryness and cracking, but prevents excess oil pores and affects the color or longevity of the jacket. Apply leather conditioner only when the jacket feels dry or tight. Here are some tips for choosing a product:
- Check the label to make sure it fits your leather type. (This is especially important for suede or nubuck jackets.)
- Ideally, use pure mink oil, neatsfoot oil, or other natural animal oils, but keep in mind that it can darken the leather.
- Products that contain wax or silicone can dry the leather but are a cheaper alternative that causes minor discoloration. Use sparingly.
- Never use products containing mineral oil or petroleum that can cause significant damage. Also, avoid “saddle soap” on leather that is at least unfinished without a protective water-resistant coating.
3) Polished smooth leather jacket on rare occasions. Leather polish will add shine to your jacket, but it has the potential to discolor, dry out, or flake off the surface of the leather. Use it for special occasions, and test the new product in an inconspicuous area before using it. Buff with a cloth until a shiny surface is formed.
- Do not polish suede or other leather with a soft, fuzzy texture. It is not possible to make suede shine without permanently removing this texture.
- Don’t use shoe polish, even if it’s only for leather shoes.
4) Remove salt deposits with a damp cloth. In damp winter conditions, white salt deposits may form on the leather. Wipe off the salt immediately with a damp cloth to avoid dry spots and cracks. Let the leather air dry, then apply conditioner to the affected area.
5) Let the wet leather air dry. If your jacket is damp, hang it evenly over the hanger to dry at room temperature. Remove items from pockets to avoid pulling wet Leather and away from direct heat sources such as radiators for airing cupboards. If the Leather is entirely damp, apply the conditioner after drying.
6) Know how to remove wrinkles. Small wrinkles can be prevented and removed by placing the jacket on a clothes hanger. Taking the jacket to a professional leather cleaner is recommended if you are bothered by prominent wrinkles. Alternatively, set the clothes iron to the lowest setting (often labeled “rayon”), place the leather under the fabric, and iron the fabric quickly and briefly.
See the section on Storage for more detailed information.
Cleaning a Leather Jacket
1) Read the tag for specific instructions. Almost all leather jackets sold in stores include a tag that explains how to clean the jacket. Since there are many varieties of leather, not all of them identifiable by eye, follow the specific instructions on the label whenever possible. The steps below are generally safe if followed thoroughly, but are by no means guaranteed to work safely on all leather.
2) Wipe down the jacket with a soft brush or cloth. If your leather jacket has been left in the closet for a while, it may need to be dusted. To prevent scratching or damage to the leather, use a dry cotton cloth, nubuck cloth, or a camel hairbrush.
3) Clean the finished leather with a damp cloth. Test your jacket by dropping a drop of water on it first. If water remains on the surface, it is safe to wipe the dirt off the leather with a slightly damp cloth. If water is absorbed and darkens the leather, do not apply water.
4) Clean suede with a special brush or dry sponge. “Suede brushes” can remove light grime from suede but can scratch other leather materials. You can try using a dry sponge as a cheap alternative. Do not use this method on non-suede leather or uncoated leather.
This may work best if this is the first time you hang suede in an erogenous bathroom. Do not steam the suede directly from an iron or kettle, as the heat can cause damage.
5) Clean suede with a special brush or dry sponge. “Suede brushes” can remove light grime from suede but can scratch other leather materials. You can try using a dry sponge as a cheap alternative. Do not use this method on non-suede leather or uncoated leather.
This may work best if this is the first time you hang suede in an erogenous bathroom. Do not steam the suede directly from iron or kettle, as the heat can cause damage.
6) Choose leather cleaning products carefully. Use only a leather cleaning product that suits your Leather type, ideally a product made by the same company that made your jacket. Always test any cleaning product on the Leather hiding area to check for discoloration or damage, leave the product on for at least five minutes, and then wipe with a clean cloth. If damage does not occur, treat the affected part of the jacket according to the product instructions.
Suede or nubuck should only be treated with products specifically made for those types. Leather labeled aniline, semi-aniline, or pigmented leather can be cleaned with a general-purpose leather cleaner, but test the hidden area first.
You can buy an ink stain remover for the Leather, but it is usually not 100% effective if the ink dries.
7) Remove mold by rubbing alcohol or mild soap. If the leather jacket is covered with mold, which usually looks like white or gray fuzz, mixes equal parts of water and mix with alcohol. Gently wipe the mold using a damp cotton cloth with this solution. If that doesn’t work, try a mild disinfectant mixed with water instead. Wipe off excess liquid with a dry cotton cloth when done.
8) Take the coat off to a leather cleaner. If the above methods do not remove the stain from your jacket, take it to a dry cleaner that specializes in Leather cleansing services. Always ask if a dry cleaner can treat Leather type and blemishes before giving it to your coat.
Never wash a leather garment in a washing machine or in a bathtub.
Storing a Leather Jacket
1) Apply a cloth hanger with pads. A wide, folded clothing hanger is the best way to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks. Avoid using nail polish, which causes great stress in a small area.
2) Avoid sunlight and heat. Direct sunlight can darken the Leather color or cause discoloration. Heat can cause dryness and cracking, so keep the jacket in a cool place away from heating pits and other heating elements.
3) Make sure the Leather “can breathe.” The Leather will last a long time if exposed to dry air, especially a thin layer. Never store leather inside a plastic bag or under plastic sheeting. If you keep the Leather in the bag for a while, open the bag whenever appropriate to expose it to the air.
Keeping your coat inside the closet is good unless the cabinet is unusually hot or wet.
4) Keep Leather away from pesticides. The Leather can absorb pesticides. If this happens, it may not be possible to remove the odor, or even poison, from the coat. In addition, mothballs and similar household pesticides work best in small containers, which are not suitable for leather houses.
5) Wipe the coat before moving it to the storage area. If you store Leather for a long time, wipe it off first to remove any pests and odors.