Five Ways to Clean Leather Jackets
Leather jackets are an essential item in any wardrobe. However, unlike other garments, they require special care to keep them in perfect shape.
Leather jackets never go out of style and add a cool style to any outfit. In addition, it’s a quite versatile type of jacket, and you can wear it with skirts, jeans, heels, and dresses.
Leather jackets are known as biker jackets, leather jackets, bomber jackets, etc. They became popular in the air force during World War II because they protected soldiers from the cold. Leather is one of the oldest materials used by humans though.
It was the motorcyclists and rockers who made it a symbol of fashion in popular culture, turning it into a symbol of rebellion and attitude. Today there are many colors and styles and even imitations in pleathers and other artificial materials.
Continue reading this article for five ways to clean a leather jacket!
Tips for cleaning leather jackets
Leather is a delicate material and so it requires special care. The first thing to keep in mind is you must know exactly what type of material your jacket is made of. For one, is it genuine leather or PU?
In general, natural leather requires more care but lasts longer. The main problem with synthetic leather is it begins to peel after a while.
Keep in mind that you mustn’t wash this type of garment in the washing machine along with the rest of your clothes — regardless of whether it’s leather or not.
Here are some tips to maintain your jacket and keep it clean.
Read and Learn How to Clean Your Shoes
1. Cleaning the inner lining of your leather jackets
Generally, leather jackets have an inner lining to be in direct contact with the body. However, it isn’t recommended to wash it after every use.
You may clean the inner lining with a cloth or a soft bristle brush, such as those used for babies’ hair. Do so with a mixture of laundry soap, vinegar, and baking soda.
Vinegar and baking soda are excellent for removing odors and bacteria but don’t soak it though.
2. Clean the leather with soap and water
Mix water and a little bit of mild soap. Make sure the solution has more water than soap as it can cause discoloration or damage to the leather. Moisten a sponge in this solution and gently wipe the jacket, going over the dirtiest parts.
Then, wipe the jacket with a water-dampened towel to remove the soap. Again, don’t soak it so as not to create an excess that would leave a stain.
3. Dry it properly
This is an important part of keeping leather jackets in optimal condition because they’re quite sensitive to liquids and can even develop mildew. Thus, dry the surface with a towel after wiping it with the damp cloth.
Also, you may hang it in a cool place and allow it to dry completely. Don’t expose it to the sun for a long time, as it could affect the color.
4. Moisturize your leather jackets
There are several products on the market to condition leather jackets that allow you to moisturize the surface so it doesn’t crack or lose its shine. You can use shea butter, a natural product with many applications.
As you can see, you can restore a leather jacket by using moisturizing substances. Just grab a small amount with a soft cloth and rub it all over the garment.
5. Use special leather products
There are specific products to protect and clean leather. You may buy a leather cleaner, which is great for high-quality leather. There are also water repellents to protect them from water.
Indeed, these products can be expensive but are an excellent investment for a garment that’ll last for many years if you properly care for it. You can also use these products to clean your shoes.
Follow the instructions on the label of your leather jackets
Now you know some ways to clean a leather jacket, but keep in mind that it’s just as important to read the instructions for proper care on the label of your garment. When in doubt, send it to a dry cleaner – they’re usually knowledgeable about these types of garments.
Dry cleaning isn’t for every garment, though. A study by the University of Palermo’s textile and clothing design department indicates that artificial leather jackets can be ruined by some of the substances used for this type of cleaning. This is because synthetic leather is usually made of plastic materials that aren’t heat resistant.
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