How to care for a leather jacket

Video: Bring Your Leather Jacket Back To Life In JUST 8 Minutes!

Content

Method 2 of 3: Cleaning your leather jacket
Method 3 of 3: Storing Leather Items
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

1 Make your leather waterproof. There are many products available for protecting or waterproofing leather, but we recommend that you read the label carefully before purchasing. Silicone resin spray or acrylic copolymer spray should help maintain the appearance and luster of the skin. Products with a fat and waxy base offer the best protective properties, but are not recommended for leather jackets due to their potential impact on color, durability, shine and odor. Check the label to find out how long the waterproofing lasts. Usually the product needs to be applied every few weeks or months.

Yes, such care will make the skin resistant to water damage, but the material will not become fully waterproof, even if the instructions for the product say otherwise. Never immerse leather items in water or washing machine.

2 Apply skin conditioner periodically. Rubbing in the conditioner helps restore the oil balance in the skin, thereby preventing drying out and cracking, but too much oil can clog the pores, which will affect the skin color and the durability of the product.Therefore, only use conditioner when the skin becomes dry and rough. Here are some guidelines for choosing an air conditioner:

Check the label to make sure the product is suitable for the type of leather the jacket is made of (this is especially important if it is suede or nubuck).
Ideally, use pure mink oil, ox's foot oils, or other natural animal oils, but keep in mind that these products can cause skin darkening.
Products containing wax or silicone can dry out the skin. At the same time, they are cheaper and do not affect skin color as much as more expensive options. They should be used sparingly and only in extreme cases.
Never use products that contain mineral oil or petroleum as they can cause significant damage. Also, avoid mild soaps containing cow's feet oil, at least for under-treated leather without a protective waterproof coating.

3 Use a polish on smooth leather jackets and coats on rare occasions. Polishing will add shine to the jacket, but may discolor, dry out, or clog the surface of the leather. Use the polish on special occasions, and first, before using a new product, try it on a hidden area of the jacket. Buff with a piece of cloth until the surface is glossy.

Do not use polish to care for suede or other soft, fuzzy leathers. It is impossible to make suede smooth without breaking its structure.
Do not use shoe polish, even for leather shoes.

4 Remove salt deposits with a damp cloth. In wet, windy weather, white salt deposits can form on the skin. Wipe them off immediately with a damp piece of cloth to avoid dry spots and cracks. Leave the skin to dry, then apply conditioner to the damaged areas.

5 Let the wet skin dry naturally. If your jacket gets wet, hang it on a hanger and flatten it to dry at room temperature. Remove all items from pockets to avoid stretching damp skin, keep jacket away from direct heat sources such as radiators or drying cabinets. If your skin is wet through, apply conditioner after drying.

6 Learn to remove wrinkles. Storing the jacket on a clothes hanger should help remove small folds and prevent new ones from forming. If you are concerned about large wrinkles, it is recommended that you see a professional leather cleaner. Alternatively, turn on the iron at the lowest temperature (the mode can be referred to as "viscose", "silk" or "artificial fiber"), place the leather under the fabric and iron it quickly.

Check out the storage section for more details.

Method 2 of 3: Cleaning your leather jacket

1 Check the label on the jacket for special care instructions. Almost all leather items sold in stores are labeled with care instructions. Since there are many types of leather, and not everyone can distinguish between them, if he is not an expert in this, it is always recommended to follow the specific recommendations on the label (if, of course, there is one). The methods described below are generally safe if followed carefully, but none of these methods are safe for all skin types.
2 Use a soft brush or cloth to clean the jacket. If it has been in the closet for a while, it probably needs to be wiped clean. To avoid scoring or damaging the skin, use a dry cotton cloth, a piece of nubuck, or a camel-bristled brush.
3 Clean the treated leather with a damp cloth. Test your jacket with just one drop of water.If a drop of water remains on the surface, you can safely wipe the dirt off your skin using a slightly damp cloth. If water is absorbed and the skin darkens from it, do not use water.
4 Clean the suede with a special brush or dry sponge. The suede brush can remove deep-seated dirt from suede, but it is more likely to scratch other leather materials. You can try using a dry sponge as a cheaper option. Do not use this method to clean non-quilted leather or leather that you are not sure of.
- This method works best if you first hang your suede jacket in a steamy bathtub. For suede maintenance, do not use steam directly from an iron or kettle, as high temperatures can damage the skin.
5 Rub down the stubborn dirt with an eraser. This method works well for cleaning suede, but before using it on other types of leather, test the method in areas not visible from the outside. Use the eraser to wipe dirt and stubborn dirt to remove dirt or fresh ink stains from your suede jacket. If the remnants of the eraser stick to your skin, remove them with a small vacuum cleaner or compressed air.
- Erasers, often sold under the name "artist eraser," are most suitable and can be found at an office supply store or a craft store. An eraser is a special cleaning rubber (made from a substance like putty or putty) that crumbles when used. Do not confuse it with "nag erasers" with a pasty consistency - they are similar, but do not crumble.
6 Choose skin cleansing products with care. Only use leather cleaning products that are suitable for the skin type of your jacket, ideally from the same company that made the jacket. Always test any leather cleaner for discoloration or damage in a covered area, leaving it on for at least five minutes. After that, the remnants of the product should be removed with a clean cloth. If no damage has been done to the skin, treat this part of the jacket according to the instructions for use of the cleaning product.
- Suede and nubuck leather should be treated with products specially made for these skin types. Leather labeled as aniline, semi-aniline, or pigmented leather can be cleaned with general purpose leather cleaners, but only after testing in areas not visible from the outside.
- You can buy a product to remove ink stains from your skin, but if the ink is already dry, it will no longer be 100% effective.
7 Remove mold by rubbing in rubbing alcohol or mild soap. If your leather jacket is moldy, which usually looks like white or gray fluff, mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol (for external use). Gently wipe off the mold with a cotton cloth soaked in this solution. If this method fails, try using a mild germicidal soap mixed with water. Then wipe off excess liquid with a dry cotton cloth.
8 Take the jacket to a dry cleaner. If the above methods fail to remove the stain from your jacket, take it to a dry cleaner or a specialist. Before you take your jacket for cleaning, check if the specialist knows how to handle the type of leather from which the item is made and the type of stains and dirt that is on it.
- Never wash leather items in a washing machine or basin.

Method 3 of 3: Storing Leather Items

1 Use soft hangers. A wide, padded hanger is best to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks. Do not use clothespins - their weight adversely affects the small surface area.
2 Store your jacket in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause skin burnout and localized discoloration. High temperatures can dry out the skin and it will crack, so store your jacket in a cool place and avoid exposure to fan heaters or other heat sources.
3 Make sure the skin can breathe. Skin will last longer if exposed to dry air, especially light drafts. Never keep leather items in plastic bags or under a plastic blanket. If you are temporarily storing leather in a bag, open it whenever possible.
- Storing your leather jacket in a closet is a great option if it's not too hot or damp in there.
4 Keep leather items away from pesticides. The skin is able to absorb pesticides. If the jacket has been exposed to these chemicals, it may not be possible to eliminate chemical odors and even toxins from the material. In addition, mothballs and similar household pesticides are more effective when kept in small containers. But it is still better not to keep them next to the skin.
5 Dry the jacket before storing it. If the jacket is stored for a long time, apply cleaning first to eliminate any pests and odors. This will reduce the risk of parasite damage to the item. However, periodically check the condition of your jacket whenever possible.

Tips

You can continue to use the jacket as it is now. Yes, it is important to look after your jacket, but leather is a natural material that wears out over time (some say that the jacket takes on "character"). And this worn-out look is actually exactly what many are striving for. This is especially true for motorcyclists.
If the padding in your leather jacket stops looking fresh, try vacuuming it over. It really works.
There is no need to use any folk remedies if you are using a modern leather conditioner.

Warnings

Always test a new leather care product - do it in small, hidden and invisible areas of the jacket. After applying the new product, leave it on for 5-10 minutes, remove with a piece of cloth or napkin and carefully check for any damage to the skin.