Leather jackets have been around for a long time. In fact a leather jacket is likely to add a touch of style to any wardrobe. Though it was invented in the early 20th century for utilitarian purposes and then for the armed forces in World War ll. However, it became popularized among the people by the Hollywood stars and since then it has been a fashion staple. The purchase of such leather jacket is not a big deal but restoring the jacket properly becomes quite challenging. The best way to ensure that your leather jacket stays supple, soft, smooth and clean is to treat it like the valuable item that it is. Well, here are some few tips which would help you to restore the leather jackets.
Keep your jacket dry
You should avoid wearing your leather jacket in rainy weather. If it does get wet, make sure that you hang it out to dry immediately before putting it away.
Hang your jacket correctly
Never leave your jacket folded for a long period of time, as this can encourage creases and cracks in the leather. Instead, hang it on a wide, preferably padded hanger in a well ventilated closet. Never put it in the sunlight, as that can quickly discolor the jacket. This is particularly important for suede.
Keep your jacket away from heat
Heat will dry out and cause leather to become brittle and crack. You should never lay your jacket on or near a radiator or heating vent.
Use a leather conditioner
Leather will always naturally lose some of it moisture, but using a reputable leather conditioner on finished leather can prolong its life.
Do not clean at home
Unless you have the experience or are not worried about causing irreparable harm to your leather jacket, you should not try to clean it at home. Some cleaning labels may say that you can wash your leather jacket in a washing machine, but any small misstep can cause serious damage. However, if you want to clean it at home then you can mix a solution of warm water and dish soap, dip a soft cloth into it, wring it out and wipe the jacket. You can also make a cleaning solution of one part vinegar to one part water. Use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe off the cleaning solution. You should dry the jacket with a towel.
Water stains need to dry naturally
If you accidentally get caught in the rain or spill some water on yourself, don’t throw your leather or suede jacket in the dryer or try to spot-dry with a hair-dryer, as the direct heat will damage the natural material. Instead, we recommend you hang the damp piece somewhere with plenty of light and airflow to let it dry on its own.
Use alcohol to remove ink stains
If you have ever dropped ink stain on the jacket then try to remove it with alcohol. Plain old rubbing alcohol should help remove ink stains from smooth leather. However, you should not try this on suede, which is best left for a professional dry cleaner. Always use a white cotton cloth soaked with alcohol and blot the stain gently until the ink has faded. You must be careful about scrubbing too hard as it can cause fading.
Do not use ammonia
You should not use ammonia or bleach-based cleaners to clean leather. However, they can damage the finish and cause the leather to get excessively dry or even crack. You should use too much water as it can stain leather.
Clean Spills
Clean spills on the leather jacket immediately with a soft cloth. The leather tends to be porous and will absorb liquids and causing a stain to form. Leather can also scratch so you should keep sharp objects away from it.
Baking Soda or Cornstarch to remove oil or grease stains
You should always remove oil or grease stains by sprinkling baking soda or cornstarch on the spot. You must 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.
Removing wrinkles
Storing the jacket on a clothes hanger should prevent and remove minor wrinkles. If you are bothered by major wrinkles, take the jacket to a professional leather cleaner is advised. Alternatively, set a clothes iron to the lowest setting place the leather under a cloth and iron the cloth quickly and briefly.
Polish smooth leather jackets on rare occasions
Leather polish will bring a shine to your jacket but it has the potential to discolor, dry out, or clog the leather surface. You must polish for special occasions and test on a hidden area first before using a new product. Buff with a cloth until a glossy surface is created. You should not polish suede or other leather with a soft, fuzzy texture. It is not possible to make suede glossy without permanently removing this texture. You must avoid using shoe polish, even if it is intended for leather shoes.
Keep leather away from pesticides
Leather can absorb insecticides. If this occurs, it may not be possible to remove the smell or even the toxin, from the jacket. In addition, mothballs and similar home pesticides are most effective in small containers, which are not ideal homes for leather.
Hope, you find these tips to be useful and this tips would help you to restore your leather jackets for a longer period of time.