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Leather jackets are the epitome of cool. There is no doubt about that. And while fast fashion cycles seem to pass around ever more quickly, you can always be sure that your favorite leather jacket will never be out of style. So, while a quality leather jacket can be expensive, they are a worthwhile investment for anyone wanting to add that perfect piece to their wardrobe. But there is no doubt that they are difficult to clean, especially at home. Leather is a durable material but its finish can easily be ruined by using the wrong cleaning methods.
If in doubt, you should always take your leather jacket to be cleaned by a professional. With that being said, there are at-home cleaning methods that are safe for your leather jacket and that can be very effective.
Before you begin to wash a leather jacket you should figure out what type of leather you are dealing with.
The vast majority of leather jackets are made out of full-grain or top-grain leather so the chances are that this is the type you have. Top grain is the highest quality leather jacket available and it is made from the very top layer of the hide without any sanding or buffing. This allows it to retain the natural appearance of the skin. If it has been dyed with soluble pigments, it is known as aniline leather. If you're interested in learning more, feel free to check our article on "How To Dye A Leather Jacket".
Top-grain leather is similar to full-grain but the surface has been sanded to remove some of the imperfections. This is usually done if there are too many blemishes but the sanding/buffing process does remove some of the qualities of the leather such as durability and water resistance.
To create the soft surface of nubuck, top grain leather is sanded down to leave a nap of soft protein fibres. These fibres give it its soft velvety appearance. Suede is made similarly but uses split-grain leather rather than full-grain.
If you have a suede leather jacket, you should take it to a professional to be cleaned rather than using the tips laid out below. Suede is very easy to damage and any DIY attempts at stain removal are likely to do much more harm than good.
Leather is very durable which makes it perfect for items such as jackets, shoes, belts, and furniture. But it is a natural material made from animal hide and this complicates the cleaning process somewhat. When the animal was alive, it would have constantly produced natural oils and other protective substances to keep the skin healthy. But once the hide has been stripped and made into a jacket, it no longer has access to replacement oils.
This is why leather is so sensitive to large amounts of water. The water strips the leather of the natural oils, drying it out and making it susceptible to rips and other damage. Water can also stain the leather, leaving rings and spots.
It can be tempting to wash a leather jacket with the rest of your clothes in the machine but you should never do this. Completely soaking the jacket in water will strip it of its oils, making it dry and brittle. The movement and agitation of the machine will only further damage the leather.
You should be careful when choosing a professional to clean your leather jacket. Many dry cleaners aren't properly trained in how to wash a leather jacket properly and there is a chance that it could get ruined. Do your research before you send your jacket off to be cleaned. It can be helpful to check out the company's reviews and any photos of their work that you can find.
While it definitely pays to be careful with your leather jacket, there are some cleaning methods that you can use at home to keep it in good condition. Leather cleaning takes patience and a soft touch to make sure that the material isn't damaged in the process. If you want to know how to soften leather jackets, you can check out our post.
It is a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning your leather jacket regularly. This can help to stop stains from becoming ingrained in the leather. You don't need to use any water for this. Instead, take a dry cloth and gently rub it to remove surface dirt from the jacket.
You can also treat your leather jacket with a protective leather conditioner to help it retain its natural oils and its protective waterproof layer. Some people choose to use upholstery wax or saddle soap to care for their leather jackets but you should read the manufacturer's instructions before applying these products.
When using a product on your leather jacket for the first time, it is always a good idea to test it on a small area that is hidden from view before applying it to the entire jacket. Options for this can include the underside of the collar, the inside of the cuff, the underside of any pocket flaps, or the inside of the lining edge. This way, if the product does cause any damage to the leather, nobody will be able to see it.
You should always store your leather jacket on a sturdy hanger, ideally, a padded hanger, as this will help it to retain its shape. If you are storing it for a long time, then a garment bag will help to keep it protected.
The majority of the time, water alone will be enough to clean a leather jacket. The most important thing to remember is to use as little water as possible as this will reduce the chance of it damaging the leather.
Take a damp cloth with a small amount of water on it and blot the area that needs cleaning. Avoid rubbing as much as possible. Blot in a spiral motion and try to feather the edges as this will prevent a ring from forming.
To dry, gently pat the area with a soft towel and then leave the jacket to try in a well-ventilated area. Do not try to speed up the drying process using direct heat such as a hairdryer as this can dry out and damage the leather. It also isn't a good idea to keep the jacket inside and away from direct sunlight for the same reason.
If water alone won't do the trick, then you can use a very mild cleanser to help remove dirt. Liquid dish soap is a good option but this should be heavily diluted with water. You should aim for just a few drops of mild dish soap in a tub of water or alternatively no more than a ratio of one part dish soap to 20 parts water.
Use a soft sponge or soft cloth and dip it in your mild soap solution. Then take the dampened cloth and gently blot the stain using the same method as you would with water alone. Blot in a spiral and take care to feather the edges. You can go back in again if the stain hasn't lifted but it is always better to use a small amount first.
Next, you should carefully rinse the area. Use a damp microfiber cloth or other soft cloth and dampen it with water and go back over the area that you have cleaned. Make sure that you have removed all of the soap residues from the leather surface.
Finally, you need to carefully dry the leather surface. Use a clean towel and gently pat the area to remove as much moisture as possible then hang the jacket to dry in a well-ventilated place.
To take care of your leather jacket, investing in some leather cleaner can be a good idea. These products are specifically designed to be gentle enough not to damage the leather. But you should of course read the manufacturer's instructions and follow the directions.
Along with a leather cleaner, a leather conditioner can help to keep your leather coat in its best condition. A leather cleaner will have a mild soap that will remove dirt and stains and then the leather conditioner will help to reintroduce any natural oils that have been removed during the cleaning process.
It can be an awful feeling when you see an ink stain on your leather jacket as it can seem that the jacket is ruined forever. This isn't always the case, however. Nail polish remover, also known as acetone, is very powerful and can lift ink stains. Of course, the challenge is to remove the ink without damaging the leather.
Take a cotton swab and dip it in the nail varnish remover and then gently rub it over the entire stain. You should see the ink appearing on the cotton. Keep the process going until the entire stain has been lifted. The ink may spread a little but this should only be on the jacket's surface. Use a clean cloth dampened with warm water to gently blot the stain away.
Then use a dry soft cloth to remove as much water as possible before letting the jacket dry naturally.
As always, if in doubt consult a leather care professional and always test out your cleaning method on an invisible area before you try it on somewhere that can be seen.
Check out: How To Remove Ink From Leather
Grease stains are often some of the most difficult to remove. This is because the fats are not water soluble so can't always be lifted with water alone. Baking soda is a great cleaning solution for grease stain removal.
Sprinkle the baking soda onto the stain and then work it in using a damp cloth. This will create a paste. Leave the paste to sit on the stain for a few hours then gently remove it by blotting with a damp microfiber cloth.
Then use a dry cloth or towel to gently pat dry the area before leaving the jacket to air dry.
If the baking soda method hasn't worked then a leather care professional may be able to help.
Mould can unfortunately sometimes appear on a leather jacket. To remove mould, you should use rubbing alcohol. Again, this is a powerful cleaner so you should aim to use as little as possible and you should test it out on a small hidden area first. And if you are in any doubt, then approach a professional to see if they can remove the mould.
Dilute the alcohol with water using a 50:50 ratio then dip a clean cloth into the cleaning solution and gently apply it to the affected area using blotting rather than rubbing motions. Once the mould has lifted, go back in with a clean cloth dampened with warm water to rinse the rubbing alcohol off.
Finally, use a fresh towel or dry cloth to pat the water away and then leave the jacket to dry.
The lining of your leather jacket is easy to neglect. After all, you can't put it in the washing machine or otherwise soak it in water. But you should make sure to wash the inside of your leather jacket as regularly as you do the outside.
After some time, you may find that sweat starts to accumulate inside your leather jacket. This won't just smell bad, it can also soak through to the leather exterior and damage it. Your leather jacket should have a care label that will give you directions on how to hand wash the inside of your leather jacket and you should follow these carefully.
Generally speaking, however, you can use a diluted soap solution to hand wash your jacket lining. Use a damp sponge or cloth dipped in the solution and gently rub the lining. Concentrate on areas such as under the arms and around the collar.
If the lining of your jacket is made of wool, then you won't be able to use too much water as this could cause the wool to shrink. Use a soft bristle brush to brush away as much dirt as possible before using a small amount of water on a damp cloth to gently blot the wool, concentrating on under the arms and around the collar.
So can you wash a leather jacket at home? Yes, you can but you need to take extra care not to damage the leather in the process. A leather jacket can last for many years if it is taken care of properly but going in too hard with lots of water and harsh rubbing can easily ruin the leather finish. The key takeaway is to use as little water as possible and to always blot rather than rub. Investing in leather care products can also help to extend the life of your leather jacket. And, of course, if you are unsure about whether or not you can remove a stain without damaging your leather jacket, it is always better to approach a professional for help. They will know all of the best methods to use that will protect the leather while also removing any stains.
