It’s normal for a leather jacket to fade over the years. As you wear it, the sun will cause its color to fade. Some people actually prefer the appearance of faded leather jackets over their new, non-faded counterparts. But, if you are one of those that prefer it really shiny and looking like a new one then follow this next tips.
Tips To Make Your Leather Jacket Shine Again
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Use Baby Oil… But Not Too Much
Baby oil has hundreds of amazing uses, one of which is to revitalize the luster of faded leather. Also known as mineral oil, baby oil is a gentle moisturizing oil that works well on leather. To restore the luster of your leather jacket, pour a small amount of baby oil on a clean washcloth and massage it into the surface of your jacket.
Remember, you’ll want to ensure that every square inch of your leather jacket is covered with a small amount of baby oil. If you see any buildup of baby oil, use a separate washcloth to remove it. The key thing to remember is that a little baby oil goes a long way with leather jackets. Using too much will oversaturate your leather jacket to the point where it looks soaked. But if you only use a small amount, you’ll restore the luster of your leather jacket without oversaturating it.
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Clean It With a Damp Washcloth
Cleaning your leather jacket doesn’t just improve its appearance; it can also help to restore its luster. Over time, dirt, dust, and debris will settle on the surface of your leather jacket. This generally won’t damage your jacket, but it can leave your jacket looking dingy and faded. A solution is to clean your leather jacket with warm water and a washcloth. If it’s only slightly dirty, this should suffice. And for stronger cleaning power, add a small amount of liquid laundry detergent. By cleaning your leather jacket at least once a week, you’ll create a lustrous appearance.
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Use Leather Restoration Product
There are leather restoration products that can assist in revitalizing the luster of your leather jacket. They usually consist of soap or wax that’s applied over the surface of a leather jacket or other leather garment. Leather restoration products aren’t designed for regular, ongoing use, however. They are only designed for one-time use, meaning you shouldn’t use them on a regular basis. If you follow the directions, just a single application of a leather restoration product should restore your jacket’s luster. Just remember to apply the restoration product evenly and thoroughly throughout your leather jacket.
Keep It Moist and Hydrated
It’s important that you keep your leather jacket moist and hydrated. Allowing your jacket to dry out will result in a more faded appearance. This is actually the single most common reason that leather jackets lost their luster. But the good news is that you can prevent your leather jacket from drying out by following some basic steps. First, make sure your leather jacket is stored in a climate-controlled environment. As mentioned earlier, the inside of a car is too humid for leather jackets. This also applies to basements, attics and even self-storage facilities. Second, use a leather conditioning product on your jacket. Conditioning products don’t necessarily clean leather, but rather they hydrate it with water and other essential compounds.
Replace It With a New, Higher-Quality Leather Jacket
When all else fails, you can always replace your faded leather jacket with a new, higher-quality leather jacket. High-quality leather jackets, such as those sold here at LeatherCult, are less likely to fade and lose their luster than low-quality leather jackets. If you order your leather jacket from us, you can also take advantage of custom sizing at no additional charge. Most other stores sell leather jackets in predetermined sizes, such as small, medium and large. At LeatherCult, though, we sell leather jackets in custom sizes so that you can get the perfect fit with each order.
