There's no season for leather jackets. You can wear them anytime, any day. In fact, a quality leather jacket never goes out of style. You can pair it up with your casual outfits or wear them fancy. So how to wash leather jacket?
As much as you love your leather jacket and want to keep it clean and shiny, you can't always protect it, especially if you wear it too often. This heavy-duty outerwear needs proper cleaning between seasons. And while everyone will tell you to take assistance from a professional, there are many ways you can keep your beloved leather gear tidy and nice by yourself.
You do not necessarily have to spend a fortune to wash or clean your leather jacket if it's stained or dirty. However, you do need to take special care when washing your leather jacket to keep it from getting ruined. Unlike your other clothes, you cannot just dump your leather jacket in a washing machine and do the deed. This could crack, shrink, and even damage your luxury leather jacket beyond repair.
Before you seek professional help and spend a lot of money, here are some simple yet effective ways that you can use to treat and clean your leather jacket without ruining it.
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The mild detergent and water trick. Just grab an open-faced container and fill up with some warm water. Add a mild liquid dish detergent into the container and stir to dissolve. Two teaspoons of detergent will be perfect for a few ounces of water. Just make sure the solution is mild and gentle, so it does not damage your jacket. Dip a soft sponge or towel into the soapy solution and wring the excess water. It should only be damp. You don't want the leather to soak in the extra liquid and saturate. Also, it is important to use a soft sponge or fabric, so it doesn't scratch out the leather.
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Use a toothpaste. If you have prominent stains on your leather jacket, you can use the most common household items - toothpaste - to get rid of it. All you need to do is use a non-gel toothpaste and rub it on the stain using your fingertip. Make gentle circular motions to cover the entire stain. Let it sit on the stain for ten seconds and then use a soft cloth to rub the toothpaste off gently.
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Cornstarch or baking soda. Both cornstarch and baking soda have quite a reputation for removing greasy stains. If that's what you suspect stained your leather jacket, sprinkle one of these two items on the spot. Use a damp, soft cloth to rub it on the stain. Let sit for overnight or at least a few hours. The starch or soda will completely absorb the oil. Use a damp cloth again to rub it off completely.
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Nail polish remover. Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and use it to blot the stained area. Nail polish remover is perfect for getting rid of scuffs and ink stains from leather fabric. Avoid rubbing the cotton swab, or it could discolor the leather or spread the ink stain. Merely blot it on the stain. Keep doing it until you could no longer see the stain. Use a damp cloth to wipe and clean. Gently rub with a dry towel to dry it down.
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Rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol has some amazing uses. It's one of the best things you can keep at home. Use rubbing alcohol to get rid of mold growing on your leather jacket. However, do not apply directly until you have diluted it to keep your jacket from ruining. Mix half-a-cup of rubbing alcohol with an equal amount of water and dip a soft cloth in the solution. Use the damp cloth to wipe the affected area in gentle motions. You will see the stain becoming lighter with every stroke. Once it's clean, use a simple damp cloth and wipe off the alcohol altogether.
