A leather jacket is not just any piece of clothing. It’s your second skin.
A leather jacket protects you from the cold and harsh winds outside, and it looks amazing. Apart from its protective quality and awesome look, leather also has another quality – it has the potential to last you a lifetime! But that’s only possible with proper care.
If you want your leather jacket to protect you for ages, then you need to maintain it properly, and you can’t do it if you don’t know how to. Hence, you should read this blog till the end, and learn the basic tips that will enable you to take proper care of your leather jackets.
1. Avoid Moisture
If the leather jacket gets wet, it tends to wrinkle – and those wrinkles are very hard to remove. For this reason, it is important to keep them away from moisture such as rain or muddy water.
If it’s unavoidable & gets wet anyway then pat it dry with a clean towel as soon as possible and hang it outside for at least half a day to dry.
But for some reason, if you have to wear your leather jacket out in drizzle on a regular basis, then you should consider waterproofing it.
Waterproofing is a great way to avoid any absorption of moisture or you can just get the alternative to genuine leather with faux leather jackets, which are already waterproofed against all moisture damage.
2. Dry Naturally
Placing a leather jacket in the dryer is the last thing you would want to do – any sensible person wouldn’t do it. However, out of desperation, you might opt for ways to “quick dry” your leather jacket – such as by using a blow dryer.
If you care for your leather jacket, it is recommended not to deploy quick-dry techniques that involve heating. It can even wrap and shrink the jacket. This process dries out the leather’s natural oils, which can also cause cracks and wrinkles.
If your leather jacket gets wet, just gently wipe it with a dry towel and let it dry naturally. Leave your jacket out in the sun or in your gallery while suspended on a suitable-width hanger. Ideally, it needs to be left to dry for at least 12 hours to make sure the coat/jacket is completely dry.
3. Check Before Purchasing
The best way to judge the quality of the leather is to get a feel of its softness. The finer the grain is, the more luxurious looking the jacket will be. Also, note that there are several types of leather being used that affect the grain size & texture of the jacket.
If the leather on the jacket is very fine it keeps the outerwear soft & also preserves natural oils which contribute to the long life of the product.
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4. Don’t Let Stains Sit-In:
Any liquid spills, food curries, or contact with chemicals needs to be avoided at all costs. But if your leather jacket does get stained, it needs to be cleaned immediately to preserve the color of the leather on your jacket. Make sure, you don’t let stains stick for more than a few hours. Otherwise, you may need professional help to get your leather jacket back to its original look.
5. Brush/Wipe Them Regularly:
If you are wearing them on a daily then you also need to wipe your leather outerwear clean every now & then. You may or may not notice any blots or marks on your jackets immediately, so it is recommended to take a 360 look before hanging them up.
Use a wet cloth to wipe any liquid marks on your jacket, conversely use a soft brush to dust off, if it’s just some sand. Either way, it will contribute to the long life of your precious outerwear so you can cherish it always, the way it came to you; brand-new.
There’s nothing wrong with storing your jacket in the back of your closet during the off-season. But you want to make sure it has room to breathe and hang naturally. This brings us to our sixth tip!
6. Avoid Storing Your Leather Jacket Incorrectly:
Avoid storing your jacket in damp places, such as a basement or garage. You also want to keep it away from direct heat, like sunlight, as this can cause the leather to dry out and become cracked. Do not leave the jacket folded for long periods. It can lead to creases and tears in the leather. Instead, hang it on a wide, preferably padded hanger in an airy closet.
The width of the hanger should be wide enough so that the shoulders of the jacket do not sag – this is to ensure that the jacket maintains its shape over time. Store your jacket in a cloth or garment bag in a clean, dry, and cool closet.
7. Don’t Wash at Home:
Regular brushes & polishes may be used when in need but if you want to save your jacket from any serious damage, we recommend not washing it at home. If it does need some washing, then consult a professional for that purpose.
8. Condition the Leather
Leather conditioners extend the life of leather products by restoring the oils used in the tanning process. It nourishes the leather and repels future water & dirt hits, at least for a while. Make sure you get a product that does not affect the breathability of the leather though. Only opt for established brands or those recommended by the vendor of your jacket.
Caring For Them Is Rewarding
If you want your everyday leather wear to last a lifetime, follow the tips we have given for proper care. If you love your leather jacket, then you should treat it with care – and give it the maintenance it needs.
Lastly, avoid trying to fix your jacket without your knowledge. It’s better to ask for professional help than to blindly experiment on your own. This will save you time & also guarantee your beloved piece is taken care of properly!
End note
Genuine leather products require maintenance – and the knowledge shared in this blog is going to help you a lot in maintaining your leather jackets.
But caring for your leather jackets can be tough at times – especially if you have a busy lifestyle. Hence, you may need a jacket that doesn’t require much maintenance. If you do, then head over to Brown Caribou and grab yourself an awesome-looking faux leather jacket. These jackets are high-quality, look like real leather, and are way easier to maintain than real leather jackets.
