How To Clean a Leather Jacket: Reliable Tips and Tricks

Leather jackets need proper maintenance to last. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to clean leather jackets.

Leather jackets can make any guy look edgy and rugged, no matter the season. These versatile pieces of outerwear also offer warmth in cold weather and have good wind resistance. This is why bikers just love them. A classic leather jacket is a wardrobe staple even if you’re not an avid motorcycle rider. Especially for winter and fall styles.  

Despite their enticing features and stylish structure, these coats require careful maintenance. Since they come from animal hides, you can’t just throw them in the washer and expect great results. This guide will teach you how to clean a leather jacket to help you ensure your favorite cover lasts.

We’ll provide valuable insight into why you shouldn’t expose them to too much water and heat. These helpful techniques will make the cleaning process easy and effective. What are you waiting for? Let’s dive in. 

How to Care for a Leather Jacket work.

Before you get to the cleaning, you must learn how to care for your leather. Regular maintenance ensures your outerwear will remain soft and comfortable and not incur cracks over time. The process also allows your clothes to look their best so you can confidently show off your outfit. Follow these tips to give your leathers the treatment they rightfully deserve:

• Use waterproofing sprays like silicone polymer or acrylic copolymer to make your jacket rain-resistant. These sprays will preserve your clothes’ appearance and shine, but avoid grease-based solutions because they might affect color and longevity.
• Occasionally apply leather conditioners to restore the oil, preventing dryness and cracking. Do it when the coat feels stiff, and don’t put too much on it because you might deteriorate its quality.
• Polish it only when there’s a special occasion. You might get shiny outerwear, but polishing it regularly will lead to discoloration. Buff a clean cloth first and test on a hidden area before moving to the rest of the fabric.
• If you get salt deposits on your attire during winter, wipe them off with a damp cloth. This process prevents dry spots from occurring. Make sure to air dry and apply the conditioner afterward.

If your jacket gets wet, don’t try to put it in a dryer. Remove all the items inside the pocket so the material won’t stretch. Just hang it at room temperature and let nature do its work.

You can also remove wrinkles by gently ironing them. Use the lowest heat setting, put another cloth on the leather, and iron it quickly and briefly. Taking your time might stiffen the hide or ruin it altogether.

How To Clean a Leather Jacket at Home

You don’t want to spend money regularly dropping your jacket off to professionals even though it’s the most effective solution. Sometimes, you have to keep your cash and learn new skills. This included learning how to clean your jacket at home. But it takes more than washing or rubbing the stains with a dry cloth; there’s a proper procedure for this. The first step out of many is cleaning the outside layer by hand. Take note of the instructions below so you won’t end up destroying your jacket:

1. Lay the jacket on a flat surface. Grab your leather cleaner, apply it to a sponge, and squeeze it to produce foam.
2. Gently rub the foamy sponge on the clothing in a circular motion. This process will lift the dirt from the clothes.
3. Wipe the excess cleaner away with a damp cloth. Repeat this part as many times as necessary, but don’t rub vigorously. Remember to rinse properly so you won’t put dirt back into the material.
4. Next, grab a clean towel and blot the hide. Once done, hang it and let it air dry completely.

You mustn’t expose your jacket to direct sunlight, which might cause cracks. Keep it in a shaded place and apply conditioner to restore its moisture and softness.

How To Clean the Inside of a Leather Jacket

Next up is figuring out how to clean the inside of your leather jacket. The lining makes direct contact with your shirt or skin and requires care or treatment. It’s not complicated; you can use essential household items to complete the task. It does, however, require a delicate touch, but you will be fine if you employ these practices:

1. Mix warm water with a drop or two of mild dish detergent in a bowl. 
2. Dip the corner of a cloth into the mixture and spot-clean any soil marks off the fabric. Pay more attention to the underarm and collar area, as these might have hidden stains or spots.
3. After quickly removing the blotches, grab a sponge and remove the excess soap. Blot the remaining wet areas with a dry cloth.
4. After doing the previous steps, hang the jacket in a well-ventilated space and let it dry.

In the absence of a leather cleaner, use a mild dish soap and water solution to clean the jacket’s exterior. However, never throw it in the washer, no matter the situation.

How To Clean Mold Off of a Leather Jacket

Generally speaking, if your jacket has been affected by mold, you should toss it. Even if your coat looks 100% clean, you never know if mold spores remain. However, we also know that finding a quality leather jacket for short men is a steep investment and challenging. So, if you want to try cleaning up your jacket, we understand!

If you’re trying mold removal, wear a face mask. You absolutely don’t want to breathe in mold particles, as they can make you sick.

There are two ways to get rid of nasty mildew and mold. The first one involves using mild dish soap and water. Apply the mixture to the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can also use a dab of vinegar to disinfect the smear.

The second technique just involves wiping the mold off without any solvent. It’s a bit more delicate but easily doable if you apply the procedure below:

1. Ensure that your coat is dry before starting the cleaning process.
2. Take a soft cloth and damp it in water, then gently wipe off the mold.
3. Let it air dry, and use a cleaner for the rest of the area.
4. Hang the item again, and wear it once it completely dries off.

The second routine won’t work if the outerwear is wet. If you really have to remove the mold as soon as possible, use the dish soap method instead.

Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

We won’t lie to you. Cleaning leather at home is a tricky task. The methods may be tedious, but they are worth the labor. Memorizing all the steps in a short time might prove too much, so just keep these pointers in mind:

• Never put leather outerwear in washing machines because they will discolor and lose all the natural oils.
• Use a leather cleaner or a mild soap detergent mixed with water and spot-clean any stains on the fabric.
• Don’t put them in the dryer. Let the layers air dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area. Too much heat will stiffen the material and cause cracks.
• If unsure, take your jacket to a professional leather cleaner. It will cost you more, but it’s a safe bet.

FAQs

We covered a lot of information regarding cleaning your leather jacket. If you have more questions, we have you covered. Here are the most common queries regarding cleaning leather.

Can You Wash a Leather Jacket in a Washing Machine?

Leather jackets, whether made from genuine animal hide or synthetic, aren’t suited for machine washing. Excess water will rinse off the fabric’s natural oil, causing the material to discolor and stiffen, gradually ruining it over time.

Is It Best To Dry Clean a Leather Jacket?

Dry cleaning isn’t the best solution for caring for a leather jacket because it will remove the oil. It’s better to use a soft cloth and mild dish soap to gently wipe and blot the smudge away. If you absolutely have to, replenish the oil using specialized products.

Why Do Leather Jackets Smell?

If you don’t store your leather in a ventilated place, sweat and mold will seep into the material. Outerwear made from hide is porous, and all the accumulated elements will eventually cause nasty odors. You can prevent this by hanging your jacket in a breezy, dry, open space.

Wrapping Things Up

Knowing how to clean a leather jacket will increase its longevity and preserve its appearance. Your coat will always look brand new, maintaining the rugged and edgy look people love. Clothes made from animal hide have a luxurious price tag and premium features to match. If you want to make the most of your investment, you need to use a little elbow grease. 

Maintain them the right way, and they will last a lifetime. If ever you need help cleaning leather, simply refer to this guide. It will always be here for you!

How do you clean your leather jackets? Tell us your techniques in the comments!