Leather jacket cleaning and tips to keep them looking new!
Everyone has their favorite leather jacket, many people have more than one. Everyone loves buying them but no one likes paying to have them professionally cleaned. Here are some great tips to extend your wearings of your leather jackets.
Neck oils are one of the first signs of soil. Ring around the collar! It may not show when you have it on but it will definitely show when you take it off and lay it over the edge of a chair. Neck oils will severely darken the area. One way to avoid this is, is to fashionably wear a scarf around your neck. A scarf is easily cleanable and will protect the jacket neckline.
The second most area you can protect is the underarms. Always wear a shirt with a sleeve, let any underarm exposure be absorbed by preferable cotton. Layers next to your skin is what will absorb perspiration and odor instead of direct contact to the leather or it’s lining. Of course more than one layer is better for this specific reason.
Avoid putting ink pens or leaky, melting items in your pockets. Accidents are the third biggest reason that people have their jackets cleaned.
4. Hang your jacket up in a closet when you aren’t wearing it, nothing can happen to it when it
is safely put away.
5. When you first see soil on the front or sleeves of your jacket, it is okay to use a damp rag to
wipe it off, but be aware that water can make stains on leather.
6. Buy dark colors, it shows less soil, but on the flip side, the dye can wear off and show it
looking worn.
Eventually, your leathers will start to show their age. That’s when it is smart to bring it to a reputable cleaner that has the proper knowledge and equipment to professionally clean, and in most cases recondition and respray leather. Having them professionally done will also take care of any body odors that they have acquired. Because typically, they are cleaned in a bath system, carefully dried, reconditioned and then resprayed. Leathers being a natural hide, have to be evened out so that they look new. DIY methods are never as successful as professional methods. We actually have a few customers that have had the same leather jacket for over 20 years and one of them love their favorite leather jacket so much that they had it relined by our seamstress. Leather will never wear out! They can be an investment in your wardrobe!
Don’t buy new when you can clean your leathers! It will save you money in the long run.
