A leather jacket is one wardrobe staple that has your back. One, it’s one of the classic pieces, and two it always adds a special touch to an outfit. Sundress and a leather jacket? Retro. Red dress and a leather jacket? Killer. You can never go wrong, but you want to make sure that your leather jacket can keep up with your outfits. So when in doubt make sure you’re taking care of it. And look at it this way you’re being sustainable by extending the life of your clothing too.
The Do’s
1. Do keep it dry. Leather jackets, when properly made and taken care of, can be water-resistant. But, too much water on your jacket that goes unaddressed can go from bad to worse. Water can strip the leather of its natural oils which means your good-looking jacket can get a brittle, shriveled looking appearance. However, it’s not a total loss. If your leather jacket is wet, wipe it down, let it dry naturally out of the sun, and apply beeswax like this one to make it water-resistant.
2. Do use a leather conditioner. A conditioner is a key element in helping your jacket maintain it’s beautiful sheen. Not only will it preserve the quality, but it will always maintain the moisture too. Applying the conditioner is an easy and seamless process. Use any soft cloth as an applicator and wipe it all over the jacket, or however, the bottle recommends.
3. Do hang it up. Folding and leather don’t go hand in hand. Consider a sturdy hanger, like these wooden hangers, where the jacket can retain its shape and the shoulders can be properly supported. Lastly, when you’re not wearing it make sure to store it in your wardrobe.
Related: The Mistakes You’re Making with Leather
The Don’ts
1. Don’t store it in plastic. Plastic is a huge no for leather. It can strip the leather of its oils and decreases the longevity of the material. The recommended option is to store it in the main area of your home on a wooden hanger, preferably your closet, and away from places like attics, or basements, that have fluctuating temperatures.
2. Don’t keep it near heat/ direct sunlight. Keeping a jacket in the sun will eventually fade and discolor it. Once a jacket is discolored, it can very rarely be brought back to the original color. However, one thing to note is a jacket will naturally fade due to regular use and exposure to the seasons over time.
3. Don’t put it in the washer or dryer. When your leather gets dirty either wipe it or spot clean. Never use ammonia- or bleach-based cleaners to clean leather. To spot clean use warm water and mild dish soap and gently blot at the area that needs cleaning. If you do use a specialty product to clean your jacket make sure the cleaning products are specifically for leather-use only or the product may warp and be ruined.
