Lederhosen are not only a traditional piece of clothing for Oktoberfest, but also a fashionable addition to any wardrobe. They can last a lifetime if you know how to properly care for them at home. Find out in this article how you can clean your leather trousers while causing as little damage as possible.
Cleaning leather trousers: tips for removing stains and odors
Leather is one of the most timeless materials that never goes out of style. Lederhosen come in countless designs, colors and styles. To keep your leather trousers looking nice and fresh, you should be careful when cleaning them. We have summarized the most important tips for caring for leather trousers to provide you with the best knowledge.
Pay attention to the washing label
The most important step before you start cleaning your leather pants is to pay attention to the washing label. If you cut it off, check the manufacturer's website for information.
If the label says that the item is not washable, be sure to follow it. Or you can wash a small inconspicuous area first to ensure the pants don't get ruined.
Remove stains before washing
Before you wash your leather pants, you should remove any stains so that they don't spread. Note thatfor stubborn stainsmultiple treatments may be required.
- Oil stains:Oil-based stains can be difficult to remove. Place the pants on a towel and sprinkle the stain with a teaspoon of cornstarch. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight and then gently wipe it off with a clean damp cloth.
- Tintenflecken:Ink is difficult to remove from any material, including leather. First, soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently blot the stain in a circular motion. Wipe the area with a damp cloth and allow it to dry completely. Repeat the process if the ink stains do not disappear.
- Blood stains:It is very important to remove the blood stains from the leather pants before they dry. Start by blotting the stain with a clean cloth to remove as much as possible, but do not wipe it off to avoid making it bigger. Hydrogen peroxide is very effective against blood stains, but you should first test it on an inconspicuous area on the inside of your pants. Then blot the stain with a paper towel soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Once the blood stain begins to bubble, wipe it off with a dry paper towel. Then wipe them again with a damp paper towel and then dry them.
Can you wash leather pants in the washing machine?
If the garment's label says it is machine washable, you can wash your leather pants on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. However, be careful that indiscriminate washing can cause the leather trousers to shrink, dry out and crack. Therefore, set the spin speed to the lowest setting and turn the trousers inside out before putting them in the washing machine. You can also use a laundry bag to prevent any damage.
Wash the leather trousers by hand
Hand washing can be tedious, but this is the gentle way to clean your leather pants. Simply fill the sink or bathtub with lukewarm water and add some baby soap. Place the pants in the water and move them gently. Let them soak in the soapy solution for 10 minutes.
Rinse the garment with clean water and squeeze it gently, avoiding stretching it. Lay the pants flat on a clean towel and ideally dry them at room temperature.
Cleaning leather trousers: remove odors
Leather can absorb strong odors such as cigarette smoke, food, sweat or mold. To remove these smells from your leather pants, you can try the following methods.
- Fill a small spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water and add some lemon juice. Lightly spray the inside and outside of the leather pants. Do not wet the pants, just spray them lightly with the solution. Then hang them to air dryand maintain itthen with a leather balm. You can also use cheap vodka for this.
- Place the leather pants in a sealed plastic bag or pillowcase and sprinkle thoroughly with baking soda. Leave them overnight and then gently brush off the baking soda.
