How to care for leather jacket: A comprehensive guide by LeatherBlues

Certainly! Leather is one of the most luxurious materials, and garments made from it, especially leather jackets, are highly valued for their utility and aesthetic appeal. Leather jackets are widely used due to their durability and stylish appearance. However, leather jacket owners should know how to care for and maintain this expensive piece of fashion to ensure it lasts a long time and continues to look its best, as real leather tends to age well.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide to help you care for leather jackets and other leather clothing. By the end, you will have a better understanding of the supplies you need, how to store leather, and more. But before delving into leather care, it’s important to understand the type of leather you have and what products are suitable for it. Let’s get started without further delay.

Understanding the type of leather

The first thing you should consider before taking any maintenance measures is the type of leather you are dealing with. There are mainly three types of leather: full grain, top grain, and suede. There are others, but when it comes to maintenance, they can be grouped together. For instance, nubuck leather has some surface features of suede, so we will place them in the same group.

Starting with full grain, this type of leather has the natural leather texture intact and is often dyed using aniline dyes, which makes it more prone to surface damage. Therefore, you should never use harsh chemicals on full grain leather and consider applying a protective coating.

The second type is top grain leather, which is full grain leather that has undergone some surface treatments like sanding and buffing to give it an even texture. Top grain leather is usually dyed with semi-aniline dye and can also be found with pigmented dye. These types of dyes make a huge difference when it comes to leather care; for instance, pigmented dye is less prone to surface damage and requires less maintenance.

Finally, there is the suede group, which consists of suede and nubuck leather types. Suede is a type of split leather, while nubuck, on the other hand, is top grain leather sanded to a greater extent, exposing the leather fibers. Their surface finishes are similar as they both possess a napped surface that feels velvety. You cannot use the same leather care products on suede as you would on top grain and full grain leather. For instance, you can use leather polish on top grain leather, but you should not use it on suede. Always refer to the type of leather you are dealing with and the information provided on the label by the manufacturer.

Understanding Leather Care Products

Before getting your hands on leather care supplies, which are usually expensive and can decide the future of your beloved leather jacket, you should have a good knowledge of them. Refer to the label provided by the manufacturer on the package, consult the shopkeeper you are buying these products from, read online reviews, watch YouTube videos about the product, and more. After all, we are living in a technological age where getting information is just a click away.

Another good practice is to always test the product on an inconspicuous area of the leather garment you intend to use it on and see if any color change or fading occurs. If it does, stop using that product immediately and try finding something else. Alternatively, you can use similar old leather pieces to test these products.

If you are still not sure which products to use or don’t know how to use them, there is no need to worry as you can always contact a professional leather care service. For instance, conditioning a leather jacket is one thing, and re-dyeing or repainting the leather jacket is a totally different thing. It is cool to do your own stuff, but sometimes getting professional help makes more sense and is a smarter choice.

Cleaning your leather jackets

Avoid harsh chemicals-

You should never use any harsh chemicals on your leather goods and also keep in mind to be gentle with the cleaning process. Leather is a durable and strong material but that doesn’t mean you will rub it as if you are shining an army-grade metal armor. Use mild products such as mild soap solutions, vinegar solutions, or any good leather cleaner, take your time and work on the leather gently

Spot treatment

While cleaning the jacket don’t start working the entire leather in the first place, instead, address the dirty spots and try to clean them first with leather cleaner. Once they are clean and you are satisfied with your work then only you should start doing the rest of the leather jacket.

Cleaning method

There are many cleaning methods out there but I am going to share the most widely used so that you can get an idea of cleaning. You should do your own research before attempting to use anything with leather.

Step 1- Wipe off any loose dirt or grime with a mildly damp cloth. You should do this often to keep your leather jacket clean say once a week

Step 2- Make a mild solution with one part of soap and 3 parts of water. Dip a cloth in it and work on the dirty spots in a circular motion.

Step 3- Wipe the excess soap solution off with a damp cloth and after that clean it with a dry cloth.

Step 4- Leave it to dry in natural air

Maintaining Leather Suppleness

Conditioning

Leather conditioning is the first thing that should keep in mind when we think about caring for and maintaining our leather garments. There are many good leather conditioners available in the market that you can use to condition your leather jacket but I did not say that you can use anyone of them blindly, refer to all those guidelines given earlier while selecting leather care products.

There are two types of conditioners, one of the types is natural and the other is synthetic. Both can be used on the leather. Natural ones are like beeswax, mink oil, Neatsfoot oil, etc.

You should condition your leather jacket once in 6 months or once a year, depending on the usage. Conditioning the leather will not only keep it soft and flexible but will also enhance the life of leather so that you can enjoy this amazing material for a long time to come.

Storage

Storage of leather is equally important as conditioning and cleaning. Here’s the overview

Ideal storage space

You should always store your leather jackets in a cool, shaded, dry, and properly ventilated space. Avoid storing in places that are high in humidity or in close proximity to something damp as leather is prone to getting molds and mildew

Position

Always store your leather jackets hanging instead of folding them as they can develop creases and sometimes even cracks. Folding your leather jacket will also increase the chances of the jacket getting stained by its own metal elements and proper airflow will also be restricted

Stuffing for shape

This step is more important for leather bags but you can use it with leather jackets if they have developed some unwanted creases. You can stuff them with clothes tightly and store them for some time.

Finding the Right Repair Shop

As we discussed earlier in the article, if you think you will not be able to work with leather or if the situation is so complex that you can’t risk handling it yourself, you can contact a professional leather care and repair service. However, always make sure you are contacting the right professionals who have good experience with leather materials. An ordinary jacket repair person may not have the necessary skills, as leather is a unique material that requires highly skilled professionals. Do thorough research before handing over your prized leather jacket to anyone claiming to be a leather worker.

Conclusion

In conclusion, If you ask me if real leather has any alternative, I would say that real leather holds a special charm that cannot be replicated by any artificial material. Leather’s natural essence and the uniqueness of each skin give it an irreplaceable character. While some cheaper options like vegan leather and faux leather are available, can they replace real leather? In my view, nothing can replace the authenticity of natural leather.

If you have any doubts, feel free to ask in the comment section, and for more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.

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