Leather jackets are one of every fashionista's favorite pieces of clothing, especially during fall. However, to keep your jacket in good condition, you need to take care of the material. Unlike other garments, you can not just put your leather jacket in the washing machine. Therefore, in this article, we would like to explain how to properly clean a leather jacket easily and quickly.
In the following article, we will give you basic tips on how to clean your leather jacket so that it will look like new for a long time.
Clean the lining of the jacket first
Well, the first step in cleaning a leather jacket is to start with the inside. Most jackets of this type have a lining that protects the skin from direct contact with our body. This lining protects the jacket and prevents us from having to wash it after each use. However, to keep the leather jacket in good condition, it is advisable to clean the lining with the help of a cloth or a soft brush and a solution of soap for delicate clothes, baking soda and vinegar.
We recommend gently rubbing the lining without getting it too wet. Thanks to baking soda and vinegar, you will eliminate bad odors and bacteria.
Baking soda can also be used to clean other things. Learn more about the different uses of baking soda by reading this other article about cleaning silver with bicarbonate.
Wash with soap and water
The following solution is one of the most recommended for the care and maintenance of your leather jacket:
- Prepare a mixture of water and a little soap. It is very important that you make sure that the solution contains more water than soap, otherwise it could discolor or damage the skin.
- Clean the jacket with this solution by moistening it with a sponge and rubbing it gently over the leather.
- Wipe the jacket with a damp towel. When doing this, use only water to remove the soap, otherwise this could be counterproductive and the excess could discolor the skin.
Continue reading this other article to learn how to clean a leather sofa.
Dry the leather jacket
After cleaning the jacket inside and out, you need to dry it. This must be done properly to ensure the optimal condition of the garment. It is important to know that fur and leather are materials that are sensitive to liquids. So, if you do not dry them properly, you may even end up with mold. To avoid this, follow these steps:
Immediately after cleaning, perform the following steps:
- Run a dry towel over the surface of the jacket to rid it of excess moisture.
- Then hang it in a cool place so that it dries 100%.
- We also recommend that you do not expose the jacket to direct sunlight for an extended period of time, as this could affect the color of the leather. Ideally, find a cool and shady place to dry completely.
Nourish the leather
It is not only important to know how to clean the jacket, but also how to take care of it. To care for the leather, you need to moisturize it. A good way to provide the leather with the necessary moisture and nutrients is to use special products for leather, never general products or those that can be used for leather and other materials.
In the supermarket you can find various products that provide optimal care and moisture to the leather jacket to improve its shine and prevent the appearance of cracks in the leather. However, you can also use natural products such as shea butter, which have the same effect on the leather jacket and are free of chemicals.
Use special products
Use special products to create an invisible film on the leather that protects the material from external agents that could stain or damage it. Apply the product with a non-absorbent cloth in circular movements, and then let it shine with another soft cloth.
Although special skin or leather care products are sometimes expensive, they are a good investment to keep the garment in perfect condition for many years. In addition, these products will help you care for other leather garments such as shoes or handbags.
More tips to clean a leather jacket
Now that we have seen how to clean a leather jacket, let us learn a little more about the material, so you can think of some tricks to take care of it.
It is important to know exactly what type of leather your leather jacket is made of before you clean it. It can be natural, animal-derived or synthetic leather. Unlike synthetic leather, which is more prone to cracking and chipping with daily use, natural leather requires more care, but also lasts longer.
It is not recommended to wash jackets made of animal or synthetic leather in the washing machine, as this can cause complete damage.
If you need a more thorough cleaning, do not hesitate to take the jacket to a dry cleaner.
You may also be interested in this other article, where we explain how to clean a mattress.
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