Every piece of clothing gets dirty at some point, but if you want to clean a leather jacket, it requires specific leather care methods and products. Furthermore, this is an investment and probably one of the most stylish pieces of clothing that can also last a lifetime. It would therefore make sense to find out about the options for properly cleaning and caring for leather so that you can try them out yourself. Just read on to find out more about it.
Before you clean your leather jacket using your own means
A jacket orReal leather coatis usually quite expensive, but it can last for many years if you clean and care for the garment properly. In many cases, you can wash a leather jacket at home if you follow appropriate cleaning methods. It is important to know the type of leather you have purchased and to be sure that it is genuine leather. Many synthetic products can look very similar, but the method of cleaning and care varies greatly.
So, first and foremost, you should be clear about what type of leather you are dealing with. For example, if your jacket is made of suede or nubuck leather, you should take it to a professional cleaner. Also check the labels to determine what material the lining is made of. Despite what you may read on the internet, you should never completely submerge a leather jacket in water or put it in the washing machine. Additionally, regular care and wiping with a damp cloth helps prevent dirt and grease buildup.
Choose the right care and cleaning method
Leather is a natural organic material and its suppleness comes from the natural oils it contains. Washing a leather jacket in the washing machine removes the natural oils, and if the leather dries out, it can crack easily. It is possible to replenish the oils, but once washed in the washing machine, your jacket will never be the same again. Never wash a leather jacket in the washing machine. Storing your jacket dry also prevents mold from forming. To remove dirt and grease or light stains, use a damp cloth and soapy water. Dab instead of rubbing and avoid soaking the leather. Dry the leather naturally, but don't let it stay wet for long.
Also interesting:Remove scratches from leather: surfaces look like new – leather shoes, leather sofas, leather seats, etc.
Polyester or cotton linings can be cleaned using the same method, but silk or viscose should be cleaned by a specialist. So leather jackets are items that can last for decades if cared for properly. While you can't throw these in the laundry on your regular laundry day, the cleaning process is a lot easier than it sounds. Additionally, you don't necessarily need to clean a jacket like this every week as it should look worn in. So only do this if the jacket really needs a little more care. If you have stains, the cleaning process is different, while the tools you need depend on the type of stain.
Cleaning different types of leather
- Before you start cleaning, you need to know what type of leather your jacket is made with. If you use the wrong cleaner, you can cause more harm than good. You should also find out about the material so that you can optimally care for your leather jacket.
- Suede can be difficult to care for, and that's because it's made from the soft underside of split animal leather. It is a material that stains easily, so it is important to keep it clean but also to remove stains quickly. You can apply the same techniques to your suede furniture and accessories as you did to your suede jacket.
- Nubuck leather looks and feels like suede, but instead of the soft underside, the top side of the leather is used, which is then sanded and finely polished to create the soft and velvety finish. Caring for nubuck leather is very similar to suede, although it may be more difficult to remove stains. Aniline is made from full-grain leather that has been treated with the chemical aniline. This is one of the most commonly used materials for leather jackets and is the easiest to clean.
- Nappa is a full-grain leather that is not treated with chemicals. It is incredibly soft, supple and smooth. It's harder to keep clean because it's untreated, but it's one of the most beautiful materials you can wear.
Before first use
Now when you think about cleaning your leather, you might be thinking about aftercare. Why clean the leather jacket before it is even dirty? Well, a little care before wearing your leather jacket for the first time can go a long way in protecting it from dirt, grime and stains. Treating your leather jacket with a leather protector will help repel water and protect it from stains. Before wearing it for the first time, you can spray or massage such products onto the leather and then repeat the care annually. While wearing your leather jacket, there are also steps you can take to protect the leather from damage.
Keeping your bags free of clutter will prevent the leather from stretching and cracking over time. Alcohol can dry out and discolor leather. Beer spills are treatable, but also watch out for hairspray, cologne, and perfumes. Do not pin or glue anything to the jacket and have any emblems, embroidery or proper stitching applied by a professional.
Also read:Washing a coat: What you should pay attention to with the different fabrics
Follow simple steps and clean your leather jacket
Cleaning a leather jacket is relatively easy, but doing it wrong can prematurely erase the beauty of your leather and leave you with a useless garment. Most stains can be gently removed with a soft polishing cloth and a little soapy water. Add some polish and wax and it is actually effortless to clean your leather jacket. Let's take a closer look. It's almost impossible not to get dirt on your leather jacket unless you never leave itComfort of your own home, but how will you show off your coolest piece of clothing? Follow these simple steps to remove most stains from your leather jacket like a pro.
- Using a clean and soft sponge, apply soapy water to any dirty or stained areas. This helps remove dust, dirt, and other light stains.
- The collars and cuffs are usually problem areas, so treat these with the soft sponge as often as possible.
- For heavier dirt stains, blot the sponge to add more soapy water and rub in gentle circular motions.
- Try not to add more water to the jacket as this can do more harm than good.
- Once the mark is removed, wipe the area with a dry and clean cloth to remove excess water.
- Allow the leather to dry in a cool, dry place to remove any remaining moisture.
- If necessary, use a small amount of leather spray, wax or polish to give your jacket new life.
The key to this cleaning method is not to add too much moisture and not to rub too hard. Additionally, you should gently remove the stain. If the stains are stubborn or large, then the next method should help.
Remove stubborn stains from leather
If your leather jacket has been properly treated and protected, most spills can be wiped off with a clean, damp cloth. Of course, removing stubborn stains like mold or ink from leather requires special treatment. But what do you do if the inner lining is dirty with body fat and sweat? If the coat is quite expensive, new, or you are a complete newbie to washing, contact a professional leather cleaning expert. Always check your dry cleaner’s credentials. Not every shop is qualified to clean leather. However, if the lining is made of a washable fabric (read the fabric content and care labels), you can hand wash your garment at home.
However, hand washing is only suitable for aniline leather. Never wash suede or nubuck leather garments. Before attempting this, test the color fastness of the leather with a clean, white, damp cloth on an internal area of the leather. If color transfers to the cloth, the color is not stable on the leather and you should not proceed. If you decide to wash your leather jacket at home, you must be prepared to spend several days on the process and properly care for the leather after washing. Think about your skin. Leather is the skin of an animal. Drying it out with harsh soaps will cause it to crack and feel stiff.
How to clean a leather jacket by hand
- First, empty all pockets of the jacket and turn it inside out. Fill a large sink or plastic container with lukewarm water. Add a small amount of a gentle liquid detergent recommended for hand washing delicate items and swirl to distribute throughout the water.
- Submerge the leather jacket completely. Swirl the water to make sure all of the food is wet. Gently squeeze the solution through the lining. Let it soak for about ten minutes. If there are certain stains, use a soft-bristled brush to remove them.
- When it is time to rinse the jacket, lift the jacket out of the soapy solution, taking care not to wring it. You can simply squeeze out excess moisture. Fill the sink with clean water and rinse. You may need to change the water several times to completely remove soap and dirt.
- After washing your jacket or coat with a gentle detergent, turn it outside and hang it over a bathtub to air dry. Use a sturdy wooden or padded hanger to avoid marks on the shoulders. Never hang them in direct sunlight or near a heat source. It may take two to three days for the fur to dry completely.
- The next step is to fully condition the garment until it is soft and supple again. Make sure you use a quality leather conditioner. If your leather jacket gets soaked from rain or snow, follow the same steps for air drying and treating with a leather conditioner.
Simple cleaning method with vinegar
Instead of taking your leather jacket to the dry cleaner every six months or every time you get a stain on it, there's a better way to keep it looking as fresh as day one for years with home remedies. Mix a solution of warm water and dish soap, or make a cleaning solution with one part vinegar and one part water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, wring it out, and wipe down the jacket. However, do not use it to scrub any part of the jacket. Use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe away the cleaning solution. Dry the jacket with a towel.
Remove grease and ink stains from leather
The above process works best if you just try to freshen up your jacket from time to time. But what about removing ink stains? Nothing is worse than having an outstanding jacket ruined by such contamination. Luckily, using nail polish remover can rid your leather jacket of pesky ink stains. To do this, dip a cotton swab into the nail polish remover. Gently blot the area, but do not scrub as you may spread the stain. Continue blotting until the stain is gone. Then wipe with a damp cloth and dry the leather with a separate towel.
Whether you eat pizza or have oily skin, you should also find a way to remove grease and oil stains from your jacket. One of them is to use baking soda. To do this, sprinkle baking soda on the stain and gently work the home remedy into the leather with a damp cloth. Then let it sit overnight, where the baking soda will absorb any oil or grease. The next day, remove it from the jacket with a soft cloth and dry it with another, clean towel.
