Leather Jacket Care and Maintenance

Your leather jacket may be the bomb now, but just wait until you wear it awhile or someone spills a drink on it, or a pen leaks and your left with a stain. Here are some tips to help you keep your leather jacket looking cool.

Protect and Preserve
Because leather is a natural product, it will need periodic conditioning to protect it from drying out. Protect it with a conditioner designed specifically for the type of leather your jacket is made out of. However, you can expect some changes with wear. Leather will soften and the appearance will be altered as the leather ages adding to the overall beauty of your jacket.

A routine Clean
It is especially important to clean your leather jacket before you notice an accumulation of dirt. Unfortunately, when dirt becomes readily visible, the stains are set in and may not be easily removed. Cleaning leather is simple. Use a mild detergent on a damp cloth to remove topical dirt. Be careful not to over-wet the leather and do not rinse after washing.

You can buy a combination leather cleaner and conditioner to help return moisture to the leather that is lost in the cleaning process.

Don't Spill
If you do spill something on your leather jacket don't panic! Simply wipe up the excess liquid with a soft cloth or sponge, being careful not to rub. If a spot needs special attention, a damp cloth or sponge soaked in lukewarm water and a mild detergent can be used. Dry the spot with a woolen cloth and wait until it is completely dry before you wear your coat again.

A Pen Problem
To remove an ink stain from your leather jacket, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and then rub it over the sport. Dry the area with a blow dryer. If the stain remains after drying, you may want to try using acetone-free nail polish remover. Rub a small amount of remover over the stain with a soft cloth. The stain should disappear almost instantly. Once the stain is removed, be sure to clean any traces of alcohol or remover.

Don't Be Cruel
Never use harsh products such as cleaning solvents, stain removers, turpentine, shoe polish, saddle soap, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, or any other type of chemical solution on your leather.

Using these helpful tips will keep your leather jacket looking even better than the day you bought it!