Leather outerwear looks attractive and provides excellent protection from snow, rain, and wind. But to ensure a leather jacket lasts as long as possible, it needs to be properly cared for. That's why many people wonder whether they can machine wash such a jacket. Until now, most people have simply wiped such items with a cloth or taken them to the dry cleaner.
Should you wash leather in a washing machine?
Leather jackets differ not only in appearance but also in the quality of the leather they're made from. It can be genuine leather, faux leather, or modern eco-leather. However, each type is susceptible to moisture to varying degrees. Prolonged contact with water can cause leather items to become deformed. Genuine leather can stretch and crack, while faux leather can peel.
That's why, The answer to the question of whether leather can be washed in a washing machine is a clear NO! However, despite such compelling arguments, there are still some experts who machine wash leather items. They say you can machine wash a very dirty jacket if you follow these rules:
select only the program "Delicate wash" if not available, use the “Wool Wash” program;
If you have the option to select the temperature, set it manually to no more than 300C and the number of revolutions during spinning is no more than 400;
For washing, use only liquid detergent, even better if it is a detergent for woolen clothes;
After machine washing, dry the item on wide hangers in a well-ventilated area;
After drying, wipe the leather jacket with glycerin, which will give it a natural look.
Caution! If you decide to wash a leather item in a washing machine, try it on old items that you won't mind throwing away after a failed experiment.
Cleaning your jacket correctly
The best way to make a leather jacket attractive and well-groomed is to clean it regularly.If dirt or stains appear on any part of the jacket, they should be removed immediately. The sooner this is done, the less the dirt will penetrate the leather. Dust or light dirt can be wiped away with a damp sponge or cloth, thoroughly wrung out. You can add a small amount of liquid detergent if the stain doesn't come off the first time. Just don't over-wet the leather.
In addition to the outer jacket, the lining also requires cleaning. If the lining is detachable, that's great, as it can be washed in its entirety. This should be done by hand at a water temperature no higher than 40°C. 0With the addition of liquid detergent, as it rinses out better.
If the lining is not removable, turn the jacket inside out and, holding the material away from the skin as far as possible, hand wash the lining. You can also use a small amount of detergent added to the water. After washing the lining, thoroughly dry the jacket inside out.
Important! Clean your jacket only when necessary, and wash the lining no more than once a month, provided you wear it frequently.
Methods for removing stains
If a stain appears on the surface of a leather jacket, a damp cloth won't suffice; you'll need to use various cleaning products. You can also use special leather sponges that won't damage the item.
Clear shoe polish helps remove scuffs from your jacket. These types of chafing typically appear on the elbows, the shoulder where you carry your bag, and on the cuffs and collar. It's best to wipe chafing on the collar and cuffs with fresh orange peel rather than with hand cream, which can stain your hands.
A paste made from beeswax (9 g), turpentine (16 ml), and potassium carbonate (1.5 g) also works well against scuffs. The mixture of these ingredients is heated to a temperature of 60-700C, then add 40 ml of water. Allow the mixture to cool before applying. A mixture of yolk and milk will help restore the purity of white skin. This mixture is used to scrub dirty areas.
Be careful when using folk remedies for stains; first test on an inconspicuous area of the item to see how the product affects the leather.
The following methods will help remove grease stains.
A mixture of starch, chalk and baby powder should be applied to the stain for 30-40 minutes, and then brushed off.
You can remove an old stain with Fairy or another dishwashing gel. Apply the product to the leather with a sponge, let it dissolve the grease stain, and then remove it with a damp cloth.
A paste made from starch works well to remove grease from leather. Leave the paste on for 20-25 minutes, then remove and wipe the area with gasoline.
To remove grease from the surface of a leather item, you can use a computer monitor cleaning cloth. These cloths are impregnated with a substance that breaks down grease.
Grease stains can be removed with special leather products, such as sprays and wipes. However, they are ineffective against stubborn stains, so in this case, consider professional dry cleaning.
Important! Table salt absorbs grease well, but it should not be used on leather, as removing the crystals from the surface can leave scratches.
A few more tips
In conclusion, here are a few more tips to help you keep your leather jacket looking great and avoid dry cleaning.
It is not recommended to store leather in places with high humidity;
If your jacket gets wet from rain or snow, be sure to wipe it with a dry cloth and dry it thoroughly. Don't forget to empty the pockets, as the weight of the items will cause the wet jacket to stretch.
Inspect your jacket for stains once a week and wipe it with a slightly damp cloth if necessary;
Do not dry leather goods near heating devices or in direct sunlight.
By following these rules, you will have to wash and clean your favorite leather item much less often.
Leather outerwear looks attractive and provides excellent protection from snow, rain, and wind. But to ensure a leather jacket lasts as long as possible, it needs to be properly cared for. That's why many people wonder whether they can machine wash such a jacket. Until now, most people have simply wiped such items with a cloth or taken them to the dry cleaner.
In conclusion, here are a few more tips to help you keep your leather jacket looking great and avoid dry cleaning.
Well, let's take a chance 🙂 The jacket is a bit old anyway. Thanks for the recommendations!