To some people, a leather jacket says “I’m a bad girl.” To others, it’s a classy, elegant and timeless garment. One quality jacket can help you pull off a whole range of looks from edgy to classic to trendy. Although a leather jacket can make your look seem effortless, it takes a little bit of tender loving care to keep that coat looking fresh and fierce. Whether you bought your jacket new, scored it secondhand or borrowed it when your partner wasn’t looking, you can take a great looking garment and make it fabulous just by caring for it properly.
Read the label. Manufacturers know how to care for their products and the label comes straight from the manufacturer.
Apply a leather protector. Some jackets come pre-treated and don’t need to be babied. Others, like the antique bomber jacket you scored at the thrift store, need a little more care and attention. Look for a leather protector product without waxes or oils, which can reduce the resiliency of the garment.
Wipe your jacket down after wear. Leather was originally skin. It has pores that trap dirt, grime and oils. Wipe your leather jacket down with a damp cloth before putting it away to remove these damaging substances.
Let your jacket air dry. If you get caught in a rainstorm, the best thing to do for your coat is to let it dry naturally, away from any heaters or hot air.
Avoid folding your jacket. Over time, the stress of folding the jacket can wear out the leather. Instead, hang your jacket up if you need to store it.
Hang your jacket on a wide, padded hanger. This lets the jacket keep its shape over time. Not only is a well-shaped jacket a plus when it comes to fashion, but it keeps stress and strain off of the jacket’s seams.
Store your jacket in a well-ventilated area. Don’t hide it away in a plastic garment bag or storage tub. Leather needs to breathe and plastic makes that tough. Opt for space in a closet, away from bright, direct sunlight.
Condition your jacket. If you live in a dry area, you’ll have to do this more often – as much as every couple months. Apply leather conditioner to your jacket with a soft cloth. Reapply as necessary, when the coat begins to feel brittle or stiff. If you live in a wet area, choose a conditioner with an added waterproofer.
Fix rips and tears as soon as they start. The longer you let them go, the worse they’re going to get. What started as a small tear from a fingernail file can, with time, turn into a giant hole you can fit your hand through. Use a leather patching kit to fix minor rips and tears.
Clean up messes promptly. Like other fabrics, leather can stain. Use a paper towel to blot up spills as soon as they happen. Use a soft-bristle brush to remove dried-on messes. Use a mild soap and warm water to remove any residual mess.
Get professional help. If your jacket becomes smelly or dirty, take it to a professional cleaner. They are trained to deal with leather and have the tools and equipment available to clean your jacket without harm. Some professional cleaners can also condition your jacket for you. Still others can fix minor damages, such as rips, tears or missing buttons.
