Leather jackets are a great addition to your wardrobe. Irrespective of the leather type, these jackets are cool, stylish, and appear great. However, its maintenance will determine how cool it’ll appear with time. That’s why you need to know how to clean leather jackets the right way.
Considering how expensive leather jackets are, it is essential to clean them with great care to avoid ruining them. Cleaning leather jackets requires the correct cleaning materials and skills. This piece will show you the right way to clean leather jackets.
Before You Start Cleaning Leather Jackets
Throwing your leather jacket into a washing machine is not advisable because the machine could make it crack or shrink and give you an unpleasant outcome. Therefore, knowing how to clean suede leather jackets and other types of leather jackets you have is necessary for its durability.
Maintaining leather jackets sounds tedious but, they are not. Even if you’re wondering how to clean a leather jacket that smells, we’ll show you the right and easy steps on how to wash leather jackets at home and maintain their elegant look.
A soap and water solution is excellent for cleaning your leather jacket because it is gentle on the leather material. However, you can also use a leather jacket cleaner and conditioner to get the same result.
How to Use Soap and Water Solution to Clean Leather Jackets
Step One
Pour some lukewarm water into a bucket and add some drops of liquid detergent to it. Stir it well to allow the soap to dissolve and, you’ll have a mild solution.
Step Two
Get a soft microfiber towel and dip it into soapy water. Ensure that the towel is not too wet by wringing out excess water because the excess can soak and damage the leather.
Step Three
Use the towel to wipe the jacket surface using gentle motions. Ensure to look out for dirt build-up, water spots, oil stains, and discolored areas. You may wet the towel again if there is a need until you’ve cleaned the jacket thoroughly.
Step Four
Fill another bucket with clean water. Dip a clean microfiber towel into the water and use it to wipe the jacket once more to remove soap residue.
Then, pat the jacket dry and hang it where there’s no direct sunlight to dry. It is best to hang it with a padded or tough wooden hanger that won’t leave marks on the leather jacket.
How to Use a Leather Cleaner to Clean Leather Jackets
If you’d like to use a leather cleaner to clean your leather jackets, these simple steps are a sure guide.
Step One
Get a leather cleaner especially made to remove stains. Also, ensure it contains oils that keep the leather soft after cleaning. You can purchase one from leather stores or other superstores around you. Leather cleaners come as bars, gels, or sprays.
Step Two
Place the jacket on a flat surface, and squeeze in a little quantity of the leather cleaner on the jacket, especially the dirty patches.
Step Three
Use a clean microfiber towel to rub the cleaner into the jacket’s surface using gentle strokes and circular motions. Keep rubbing until the jacket completely absorbs the cleaner.
Step Four
Use another clean towel to rub off any excess leather cleaner on the jacket. The jacket should look clean and new at this stage, but, you can still reapply the leather cleaner if there is a need until you get your desired result. Then, leave the jacket to air dry.
Tip: wondering how to clean leather jacket lining? Dilute a part of the leather cleaning solution to 20 times the volume of water. Dip a soft towel into the solution and use it to wipe the dirty areas of the jacket lining. Rinse with a clean, damp towel. Then, turn the jacket inside out and sun-dry.
Condition the Leather Jacket
After cleaning your jacket and drying it, applying a leather conditioner is the next step. A leather conditioner will help keep the jacket soft while avoiding drying and cracking. It also helps to make it resistant to stains.
To condition a leather jacket:
- Combine linseed oil and vinegar in a ratio of 2:1, or use a store-bought leather conditioner.
- Apply the conditioner to the leather jacket and allow it to sit for 20 minutes.
- After about 20 minutes, polish the leather jacket with a soft cloth until it becomes shiny.
It is also a great idea to know how to polish leather jackets once in a while to restore their shiny appearance. You can easily buy a leather polish from leather stores and rub it onto your leather jacket. It will make the jacket shiny and restore its beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I wash my leather jacket?
Washing a leather jacket is usually not advisable, especially with a washing machine. The reason is that it may ruin it, and that’ll be a huge loss considering that leather jackets are expensive. It is best to clean the jacket using a soft towel dipped in lukewarm water and a mild soap solution.
Q: How do you clean a leather jacket that smells?
You can clean a smelly leather jacket using baking soda or vinegar in a spray bottle. These household items are great for cleaning leather boots, shoes, and jackets. The steps include:
- Turn the jacket inwards.
- Pour some vinegar into the spray bottle.
- Apply the vinegar lightly to the inner part of the jacket.
- Hang it outside to dry.
If the smell doesn’t go away completely after using vinegar, you may try baking soda with these steps:
- Sprinkle baking soda in the inner part of the jacket.
- Pour some water into the spray bottle.
- Spray water over the baking soda you sprinkled on the jacket.
- It will form a paste. Let the paste dry.
- Shake the jacket when the paste dries to remove the baking soda.
- Hang it outside for fresh air.
Tip: You can also follow these steps if you are looking for how to clean a leather jacket inside because the inside is usually the first to get smelly.
Q: How do you clean a thrift store leather jacket?
Combine warm water and dish soap to make a solution. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the solution and wring it to remove excess water. Use it to wipe the jacket, then hang it out to dry.
You can also combine a part of water and a part of vinegar in a spray bottle to make a cleaning solution. Apply it on the jacket and use a clean towel to wipe the solution off it. Then hang the leather jacket to dry.
You can remove ink stains from the leather jacket by using a leather cleaner. There are lots of them in the market so, grab one of them and get to work. However,
Q: How do you clean a second-hand leather jacket?
To clean second-hand leather:
- Combine lukewarm water with a mild liquid detergent in a bowl.
- Dip a soft cloth into the soapy water and wipe all the parts of the jacket. Ensure to give extra care to some areas, such as the underarm, neck, etc.
- Fill another bowl with lukewarm water without adding soap this time. Dip a clean cloth into the water and wipe the jacket all over to remove all the soap.
- Hang the leather jacket to air dry.
- After drying, place it on a clean towel and apply a leather conditioner to make it shine.
Q: How do you clean a leather jacket with fur?
Combine water and mild washing soap. Dip a clean cloth into it and use it to wipe the jacket and fur areas thoroughly. Ensure to wipe both inside and outside to remove dust and dirt.
Get clean water, dip a clean towel into it, and wipe the jacket again to clean off the soap. Hang it to dry. When it dries completely, brush the fur area to untangle knots, if any.
Q: Is Vaseline good for leather jackets?
Yes, Vaseline is great for leather jackets when used once in a while. It helps to soften the leather jacket and prevents cracking by moisturizing it. Applying Vaseline to a dark leather jacket also makes it look darker and better. However, be careful not to use it in excess.
Q: How do you keep a leather jacket from getting moldy?
You can apply leather wax over the jacket every week to prevent moisture. You may also use 1 part of vinegar and 1 part of water to clean the leather jacket regularly. A store-bought leather spray is also great for protecting the leather from moisture which the mold needs to grow.
Also, it is essential to quickly clean off dirt or spills from your leather jackets when they get soiled and store them in a cool and dry place.
How to Clean a Leather Jacket Like a Professional YouTube
Wrap Up
A leather jacket is an excellent investment in your wardrobe. You get several years of use and satisfaction from this clothing item when you give it proper care. That’s why it is necessary to know how to clean leather jackets the right way to maintain their shiny texture.
