How to wash leather pants? 4 steps for effective cleaning

Yes, you can wash leather pants but you shouldn’t do it often, try to keep them clean as much as possible by wiping them gently once a week with a mildly damp microfiber cloth then dry the surface immediately with a dry microfiber cloth, if it needs washing then there are 4 steps which we will discuss in detail later in the article.

But before jumping into the steps for “How to wash leather pants“ let’s explore how to clean leather pants to avoid washing if it isn’t essential.

Spot Test: For any new leather care product, it’s a good practice to test a small, inconspicuous area of your jacket to ensure it won’t damage the leather or alter its color.
Cleaning: Apply a small amount of mild leather cleaner or saddle soap (you can easily find these products in online stores) to a clean, damp cloth or sponge. In a circular motion, gently clean the entire jacket. Avoid using excessive water, and do not soak the leather.

Rinse and Dry: Wipe the pants with a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining soap residue. Then, dry the leather naturally, away from direct heat sources or sunlight.
Conditioning: Once the leather is dry, apply a leather conditioner. Use a clean, soft cloth to apply the conditioner evenly, following the product’s instructions. This helps keep the leather supple and prevents it from drying out or cracking.
Buffing: After conditioning, use a separate clean cloth to buff the leather gently. This will help restore its natural luster.

Now let’s dive into the process of washing but you still have to treat stains before actually washing them using water, I am sharing some remedies for some of the stains-

There are 4 steps in the washing process

1.) Treating stains

It’s best to deal with spills immediately, when possible because dried-on stains are much more difficult to remove than fresh ones. Especially if it’s a liquid like curry and coffee or blood that might leave permanent stains.

Grease and oil-based stains

whether it’s the motor workshop oil and grease or food oils, this method will work for all.

Remove oil or grease stains by sprinkling baking soda or cornstarch on the effective area. Rub gently with a damp cloth. Let sit for a few hours or overnight. The soda or starch will absorb the oil. Wipe off the powder with a soft cloth and dry with a soft towel.

Tip: If the stain remains, kindly apply cornstarch again and repeat the process.

Ink

We can use lemon juice with cornstarch and make a mixture. Now you put the mixture on the leather and leave it for a few hours.

After it is dry then wipe it with a clean cloth. It sticks on the leather so you can dip the cloth in water or wipe the unnecessary stains.

Tip: If it still doesn’t come off you can consider getting that area painted by a professional.

Blood

Scrape off as much blood as possible. Don’t rub the stain or scrub it; that will only push it deeper into the leather. A butter knife or a plastic spoon handle works well for this task.

Dab at any remaining trace of blood with a cloth dipped in hydrogen peroxide, taking care not to overdo it or let moisture seep into crevices around seams and buttons.

Tip: If it still doesn’t come off you can consider purchasing a dedicated stain remover which is highly recommended.

Gasoline

Use baking powder or talcum powder, and sprinkle it over the spot, it will turn slightly yellow as it absorbs gasoline. If you do not have baking soda or talc, no problem, you can keep corn flour handy. Wipe them off with a damp cloth. If stain remains repeat the process.

Tip: Treat your leather pants with a leather protector to help prevent future stains. Watch out for puddles at petrol stations and car parks and try to stand clear of the pump nozzle at petrol stations. Some gas stains, because of their age, depth, or size, may require a commercial leather cleaning product or the services of a professional leather or shoe repair person.

Urine

Dampen a clean cloth or sponge with the soapy solution and gently blot the urine stain. Work in small, circular motions, but avoid excessive scrubbing, as it can damage the leather. Continue blotting until the stain is lifted.

Dampen another clean cloth or sponge with plain water and gently blot the cleaned area to remove any soap residue.

Tip: If the urine stain or odor persists despite your efforts, it may be best to consult a professional leather cleaner for further assistance.

Beer

Combine 2 tbsp white vinegar and 4 tbsp neatsfoot oil in a container to make a leather cleaning and conditioning combination. Dampen a clean cloth in the vinegar and oil solution. Rub the area of leather that was stained with beer using the solution.

Tip: If beer odor remains after cleaning, cover the leather with baking soda and leave it on overnight to absorb the stale odor.

Coffee

Blot the stain with a soft cloth, create a soapy solution with mild soap and warm water, gently scrub the area with the soapy cloth, rinse with a clean, damp cloth, and dry with a soft towel.

Tip: For stubborn stains and white leather, use a leather cleaner and avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia.

Sauces (such as curry, turmeric, spices)

You can apply petroleum jelly as it can get absorbed in the leather along with the stain, and it will be easier to push the stains of curry out. Now, rub the area gently with a clean cloth. Then cover the affected part with baby powder, Leave it for 10 to 12 hours, and wipe off the powder with a damp cloth.

Tip: curry can seep into leather very fast so Don’t hurry and push it during the wiping process.

Chocolate

Use a spoon to remove some of the chocolate from the sofa. The next step is to prepare a mixture of mild soap with warm water. Using a sponge or a clean dishcloth, apply the solution to the leather sofa. When this has been done, use a microfiber cloth to dry it.

Tip: it is best to try to blot the chocolate rather than rubbing it. Rubbing chocolate onto leather will only cause the chocolate to seep deep into it and spread.

2.) washing

Once you have removed stains, your pants are ready for the usual washing. But most importantly, kindly refer to the wash care guidelines provided by the manufacturer on the wash care label.

Use washing machine for leather wash

However, we don’t recommend using a washing machine with leather garments as it can cause irreversible damage.

If you still want to go ahead then It’s always best to wash them inside out on a gentle cycle with cold water as it will cause minimum damage.

Moreover, you should use very mild detergent. And don’t forget to choose the shortest wash time possible for cleaning the leather.

Hand washing- Also prevents scratches on leather

Hand washing is the most preferred way to wash leather pants as you have complete command over the whole process.

In cold water, use a mild detergent or baby shampoo. Very gently scrub the leather and squeeze the water out of it. Do not use any harsh chemicals and additives.

Never wash them in hot water, because they’ll shrink. Never wash them with bleach, you’ll ruin them.

Professional washing

Though it is the most expensive way, leather garments also don’t come cheap, do they?

The least labor intensive is to take them to a dry cleaner or a leather worker who cleans and restores leather, they will only need to be professionally cleaned maybe once in many years.

It is better to spend a few extra bucks for your priced possession than to regret it in the end.

Kindly do your research before sending them to cleaners, make sure that they have requisite experience with leather garments.

3.) drying

Most importantly, never use the dryer with leather garments. If they are wet and you use medium to high heat, the likelihood of them shrinking, stiffing, and being damaged is quite high. It can also lead to a leather tear.

The best thing to do is spread out flat on a clean, dry towel to absorb any additional moisture.

Then, hang them by the belt loops found near either hip area in the pants and let them air dry.

If you want them to stretch out, wear them wet. Although uncomfortable, it will stretch them out in the waist, but watch the knee area. That may stretch if you are sitting and you probably do not want that.

To prevent rust, make sure you properly dry all metal fittings especially if it’s iron.

4.) Storing and conditioning

Washing with water can make leather dry from the inside. To avoid it apply a good quality leather conditioner with the help of a soft cloth to keep the leather soft and moisturized, which also helps prevent it from drying out and cracking. Conditioning every few months is recommended.

Climate can also cause leather to crack so if you live in a dry place you should oil more regularly.

Next, you need to find a place to store your leather pants. The best place to store it is in a cool, dry place where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on how to wash leather pants.

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