A quality leather jacket is a wardrobe staple that needs proper care to maintain its condition. Carolyn Forté from the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab shares her advice on cleaning leather jackets at home. The best option is to take your leather jacket to a dry cleaner who specializes in this material. Forté explains that whether your jacket was expensive or not it is wise to let a leather care expert handle thorough cleanings. However if you must clean your jacket yourself there are specific steps you can follow to avoid damaging the leather.
Can I wash my leather jacket in the washing machine?
We don’t recommend it. Never fully soak a leather jacket in water because water and regular detergents strip away the natural oils from the hide. The spinning and movement inside a washing machine can also damage the jacket’s shape and structure. If the inner lining needs cleaning bring it to a professional who knows how to clean it without harming the leather outside. What you can do yourself is freshen up your jacket by removing surface dirt and dullness that shows up easily on lighter colored leather. You can also quickly spot clean any problem areas at home.
Before you start cleaning your leather jacket at home, you should test your method on a hidden area first. Try a spot that nobody will see like the inside of a pocket or under the collar. This test will show you if your cleaning products or technique might harm the leather. Some types of leather lose their color easily when they get wet. Forte explains that people often make a common mistake when they clean leather clothing. They use too much water and then scrub the material too hard. If you notice the color bleeding or fading during your test, you need to stop right away. When this happens the best choice is to take your leather jacket to a professional cleaner instead.
How to clean the outside of a leather jacket by hand
– Leather dries out quickly and can crack beyond repair so you should never soak it completely in water because that strips away its natural oils. You can clean the surface and remove spots at home by following these simple steps.
– Put leather cleaner on a sponge or cloth and squeeze it until foam appears. If you don’t have any cleaner available you can fill a small bowl with warm water and add one or two drops of mild dish soap or neutral soap while the water runs.
– Then dip the corner of a clean soft cloth into the mixture. Rub the foamy sponge or soapy cloth gently on the leather using circular motions to remove dirt from the surface. Wipe off the extra cleaner carefully with a damp cloth that has been wrung out well & repeat if necessary without rubbing too hard.
– Flip the sponge or cloth over and rinse it when it gets dirty so you don’t put the dirt back on the leather. Pat the leather dry using a clean towel and then let it air dry all the way.
– Put the leather jacket on a padded or wooden hanger so the shoulders don’t get dimples & always hang it somewhere away from sunlight and heat because these can make the leather dry out and crack. After the leather is dry put on some leather conditioner to bring back moisture and softness.
How to clean the inside or lining of a leather jacket
– Fill a small bowl with warm water and add one or two drops of mild dish soap. Dip the corner of a clean soft cloth into the mixture.
– Clean any stains or dirty spots by gently blotting them with the damp cloth. Focus especially on the underarm sections and collar area.
– To rinse away the soap wet another clean cloth with plain water and wipe the same areas again. Use a dry cloth to blot away moisture. Hang the jacket in a space with good airflow and let it dry naturally.
How do I protect my leather jacket from stains?
You should use a leather protector product on a regular basis to keep water droplets and dirt from soaking into your jacket. These products make stains easier to clean off later. Put plenty of protector on your jacket when you first get it and try to do this before wearing it the first time. Put more protector on after you clean the jacket yourself or take it to a professional cleaner. You should also reapply it when you see that water stops forming beads and rolling off the surface like it used to.
How do I remove oils stains from a leather jacket?
Removing Oil from Leather Speed matters when dealing with oil spills on leather. The faster you act the less oil will soak into the material. Start by using an absorbent cloth to blot up the fresh oil.
– Press down firmly but avoid rubbing the stain. Apply a generous amount of absorbent powder to any remaining marks. Baking soda or cornstarch both work well for this purpose.
– Use a cloth to gently tap the powder into the stained area. Leave the powder on the leather for several hours. This gives it time to absorb the oil from the material.
– After waiting use a soft dry towel to brush away the powder. Be gentle during this step to avoid damaging the leather surface. Clean the treated spot using standard leather cleaning methods.
– If the stain persists consider taking the item to a professional cleaner who has access to specialized products designed for oil removal.
