Leather jackets can withstand a lot, but over time stains and spills may build up on them. To maintain its best look, wash it regularly to maintain its integrity.
Start by mixing a mild soap solution. Combine two teaspoons of detergent with some warm water. Use a soft sponge or cloth to dip it in this soapy solution, and wring it out as much as possible before placing back in its original position.
1. Liquid Dish Soap
Even with careful care and maintenance, leather jackets may still become stained by ketchup, grease or bird droppings. These tough stains can usually be removed easily with liquid dish soap and some patience.
Assemble some warm water in a container and mix in mild liquid dish soap. Dip a soft cloth in the mild soap solution and gently blot away at any stains or marks you notice on leather; make sure not to rub, as this could soak it and lead to further staining. Blot in circular motion to reduce marks left behind by your process.
Once the stain is lifted, rinse your jacket thoroughly with clean water and use a damp cloth to wipe away any residual soap residue. Repeat as necessary until all stains have been eliminated; don’t forget that using leather conditioner post-cleaning will restore its shine – don’t bypass this step!
Be sure to also clean the lining of your jacket, as sweat on its interior can damage its material and degrade its condition. Use a soft sponge or cloth dipped in mild soap solution to focus on any dirty areas such as around cuffs or collar. Once complete, hang up and let it air-dry naturally.
2. Baby Shampoo
Leather jackets can be an expensive investment that you want to protect as much as possible, yet even with careful care, stains or abrasions may appear over time. Instead of taking it to a professional cleaner for repair services, try some common household products to restore its looks and feel quickly and affordably.
Care must be taken when washing leather to avoid damage or abrasions, and using warm water with mild detergent is the easiest way. Simply mix several teaspoons of detergent into some warm water, soak a cloth or sponge in it, wring out excess liquid, and wipe your leather surface gently – then quickly wipe with a dry cloth to remove any soap solution left behind.
As soon as you notice any stains on your leather, take action immediately to clean it. For food stains, try rubbing it off using a dampened soft cloth; for ink or pencil marks use non-gel toothpaste (but not foamy types) on fingertip or cotton swab and gently blot until lifted off by gently dabbing at it with cotton swab or finger. After removing stain, immediately dry your leather using towel; apply quality leather conditioner afterwards for optimal softness and suppleness!
3. Water
Leather clothing, shoes and bags are an invaluable wardrobe essential that add a sophisticated edge to almost any ensemble. Unfortunately, unlike jeans that you can simply toss into the washing machine when they get dirty, leather needs to be treated carefully to avoid water damage and shrinkage – using hand cleaning techniques can keep it looking its best whether its suede or tough buffalo hide!
As soon as your jacket has been identified as leather, the first step should be identifying its type: it is crucial that coated and genuine leathers be treated differently. To do this, place several drops of water onto its surface and observe whether it bead up or quickly soak into its pores; if the latter happens quickly then that indicates genuine uncoated leather that should withstand water cleaning without issue.
To provide regular jacket cleaning, start by wiping it with a dry cloth to remove loose dirt or dust, followed by creating a solution of warm water with one or two drops of dish soap and using soft microfiber cleaning cloths soaked in this solution to gently scrub any soiled areas on your jacket. Finally, use another damp cloth to wipe away the residual soapy solution residue before hanging up your jacket in direct sunlight to air dry naturally.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
Leather requires care and maintenance, in the form of cleaning it regularly in order to avoid tough stains. If a stain does appear, quick treatment with appropriate materials often makes it disappear; alternatively a professional leather cleaner or dry cleaner specializing in cleaning leather may be needed to assist.
Start by emptying and blotting down your jacket to remove excess dirt. Next, pour a small amount of mild liquid detergent in a shallow container; submerge a sponge or microfiber cloth into it for full submersion, wring it out thoroughly afterwards as any extra water may soak into leather, potentially leading to irreparable damage.
Once damp, use the cloth to carefully wipe down your entire jacket while paying special attention to areas with visible stains. After it has been fully cleansed, use another damp cloth to blot it dry before leaving it in an airy and cool location for it to air-dry completely.
If your jacket squeaks after cleaning, adding a conditioner can keep the leather soft and supple so it’s less likely to crack or tear as you wear it. A leather conditioner can be purchased online or you can mix two parts linseed oil to one part vinegar as a DIY solution for making one at home.