How to Wash Leather Jackets

Test your cleaner on an inconspicuous spot before using it all over your leather jacket.

Leather jackets are a great accessory, but you need clean them to keep them in top condition. Leather requires careful cleaning, especially in controlling the amount of water that the jacket is exposed to. Use household items to clean your jacket and it will last for years.

Things You'll Need

• Gentle hand soap
• Leather or saddle soap
• Rag
• Damp cloth
• Vinegar (optional)
• Odor-absorbing spray

Instructions

1. Determine whether your leather is finished. For finished leather, dampen a clean rag with water and rub in a dab of hand soap. Work up a lather, and make sure it's not too wet. Test a hidden spot on the jacket. If the leather is undamaged, then wipe the jacket down with the soapy rag. If the leather is unfinished, use leather or saddle soap. Use a clean, damp rag to wipe off the soap. When the jacket dries, rub the jacket down with leather conditioner to restore the moisture.

2. For less severe stains, wipe off light dirt and scuffs with a damp rag.

3. For hard-to-remove smells, such as smoke, pet odors or mildew, wipe the the coat with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Wipe the vinegar solution off with a damp rag. If the odor is too strong, you may need to have it dry cleaned.

4. If the inner lining of the jacket smells, use a little bit of odor-absorbing spray. Mist it lightly to avoid getting the jacket too wet.

Tips & Warnings

• If your leather jacket is already soaking wet, don't stretch it out to dry. Allow it to dry flat, and flip the jacket often so it dries evenly.

References

• Catalogs.com; How to Correctly Clean Leather; Jean Sanders