How to Clean a Leather Coat

Most, if not all trips to the dry cleaners, can be avoided, if you have the correct nontoxic common household liquids. This technique can also be used to clean some other clothing, when you don't have time to wash and dry them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White vinegar in a spray bottle and one or more of the following: wintergreen alcohol, fabric refresher, fingernail polish remover.

1. Lay the leather coat to be cleaned with the inside open across a chair, door, ironing board, or whatever.

2. Many common sprayers use the same size lid as a bottle of vinegar. Spray a light mist of vinegar until you've covered all areas of the inside of the coat. (If the coat has a removable lining, you can take it out and spray it likewise or you can machine wash it, if you prefer).

3. Spraying vinegar, into the sleeves beyond the under arm area, is likely unnecessary and may take a couple of days to evaporate. After you've saturated the interior of the coat turn it over and spray the outside. If you see any soiled areas get a towel and physically rub off the dirt while the vinegar is still wet.

4. For any spots that still remain, moisten a dry cloth with fingernail polish remover. 100% acetone polish remover may be more effective for removing paint stains.

5. If there are any mildew smells present after the vinegar treatment, attach a sprayer to a bottle of wintergreen alcohol. Coat the entire coat the same as you did with the vinegar.

6. Now you should have a coat that smells like bubble gum and you may get asked, have you been in a candy store. If you prefer you can spray the coat with fabric spray. (If there was no mildew to kill, you can use fabric spray instead of wintergreen alcohol to get rid of the vinegar smell).

Tips & Warnings

• It is not necessary to wait for the vinegar to dry before you apply the alcohol or fabric spray.
• Any vinegar should work, but for light colored materials, use white vinegar.
• For serious paint stains, paint store acetone might be needed.
• Before apply acetone, test it on the interior of a garment for discoloration.
• Paint store acetone is highly toxic and flammable. Use only if absolutely necessary and store away from children.

Resources

• Get Rid of Head Lice in Minutes
• Stop the Itch Permanently

[scarletdreamer]

on 11/28/2009 Interesting approach, I have some leather coats that will appreciate this; thanks!