A letterman jacket – sometimes referred to as a varsity jacket – has been a status symbol among students since the mid 1800s. First worn at Harvard by the baseball team, letterman jackets – which were really sweaters back then – have withstood the test of time through the decades. But just like any other type of jacket, it will likely need to be cleaned at some point. Most letterman jackets have a wool body and leather sleeves, and both types of fabric require special care when cleaning.
Things You'll Need
Sticky lint roller
Bowl
Baby shampoo or liquid castile soap
Lint-free rags
Soft towel
Leather conditioner
Clothes hanger
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Step 1: Remove the Lint from Your Letterman Jacket
Brush over the body of the letterman jacket with a sticky lint roller to remove lint, hair, dust and loose dirt. Use a clean part of the lint roller as one part becomes filled with grime.
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Step 2: Moisten a Clean Rag
Moisten a clean, lint-free rag with cool water. Squeeze out the rag well so it's damp and not dripping wet.
Step 3: Add Baby Shampoo or Castile Soap
Put one to two drops of baby shampoo or liquid castile soap onto the rag. Rub the soap into the rag with your fingers.
Step 4: Blot the Spots
Blot the soiled and dirty parts of the wool with the soapy rag. Use a strong, tamping motion to effectively lift the dirt from the wool; do not scrub. Switch to a clean part of the rag and add more soap as needed to clean all the dirty spots on the body of the jacket. It's not necessary to clean the entire surface area of the wool; only clean the parts that are dirty.
Step 5: Remove Surface Dirt
Wipe each leather sleeve of the jacket with a dry rag to remove surface dust and dirt. Moisten a clean rag with cool water. Add about two drops of baby shampoo or liquid castile soap to the rag, then rub it into the rag with your fingers.
Step 6: Wipe the Leather Sleeves
Wipe down each of the leather sleeves on the jacket gently with the rag. Clean any particularly soiled areas of the leather by moving the rag in small, circular motions over the stain until it disappears.
Step 7: Dry the Leather
Dry the leather with a clean, soft towel. Use a clean rag to apply leather conditioner onto the sleeves. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the leather conditioner, as this may vary among brands.
Step 8: Hang and Dry
Hang the wool jacket from a clothes hanger and allow the fabric to dry completely away from direct sunlight or heat. It is not necessary to rinse the wool or leather after cleaning with the rag and soap.
Tip
Wipe the inside lining of the letterman jacket with a baby wipe to clean.
If there are stains on the wool portion of the letterman jacket, spot treat them by blotting the area with a clean rag moistened with lemon juice or distilled white vinegar. Test on an inconspicuous spot first to check for any color changes to the fabric.
If stains on the leather do not come off with gentle soap, try using a special leather cleaner. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using the leather cleaner.
Take your letterman jacket to a professional cleaner if it is severely stained or in need of a deep cleaning.