Is it possible and how to wash a leather jacket by hand and in a machine?

Leather is a capricious and difficult material both to wear and to wash. It always shows scratches, stains, clips and defects.

That's why wash the jacket need to be done in a special way, taking care not to damage the material so as not to spoil the appearance and functional characteristics.

In this article we will tell you whether and how to wash a leather jacket in an automatic washing machine and by hand.

Rules for washing at home

Before you start washing, You need to carefully inspect your clothing for:

• tags,
• signs,
• logos.

There may be useful information or instructions for caring for the product.

There is no need to try to squeeze out the jacket, this can leave a lot of bends and cracks on it, since the material is quite fragile, and such deformation will definitely lead to damage to the structure.

It's best to treat a small area of ​​skin before committing to a full cleanse.. It is advisable to do this either on the sleeve in the wrist area, or on the collar, where it is least visible.

Hands

First, check the jacket for color fading. To do this, simply rub a damp cloth or napkin over any area.

Hand wash steps:

1. Check all pockets, remove all items from them so that nothing affects the work.
2. Fill a container (wide basin or bathtub) with warm water.
3. Add detergent (delicate) and mix in water.
4. Immerse the product and let it absorb the solution. It will take about 10 minutes.
5. For processing you will need a soft sponge. With its help, you need to lightly rub areas with obvious signs of dirt, and go through others with light pressure of the sponge.
6. After this, it is necessary to remove moisture from the item of clothing. To do this, the item is taken out to the front side. You need to hold it in your hands or hang it on a hanger until the water drains, or lightly press on it, even swaying is possible.
7. The water is changed to clean. It is necessary to rinse the jacket in new water so many times that the soap is completely gone.
8. After washing, hang the leather item on a hanger and let the excess liquid drain out.
9. Then put it in a terry towel so that it absorbs additional water.
10. Ready.

Drying time may vary and may take up to 2 days. It should also be noted that for minor stains, “dry wash” is preferable:

• a soft cloth should be soaked in a soapy solution;
• squeeze out;
• wipe the necessary areas;
• rinse with a slightly damp cloth, preferably soft;
• wipe with dry material that absorbs well.

In the washing machine

Manufacturers of leather clothing warn customers that after washing the jacket may shrink (or stretch) or lose its appearance.

Natural fabric will crack - this is one of the negative consequences of machine processing, and artificial fabric may peel off.

If you still decide to resort to this method, then you need to set up a delicate mode. The water temperature should be 15 degrees Celsius. Before doing this, you need to fasten all the buttons and locks.

Regular washing powder is suitable as a detergent, but it is better to use a liquid detergent to avoid leaving streaks and stains.

Stages:

1. Take everything out of your pockets.
2. Set the mode to “wool”, “delicate” or “hand wash”.
3. If you plan to do push-ups (which is not recommended), then the speed should be no more than 400.
4. Add chemical.
5. As soon as the machine completes the process, you should not take out the leather jacket; it is better to leave it for a while to allow excess water to drain off.

Removing stains

Pollution is not always widespread or complete. Most often this is:

• just divorces
• small spots,

which can be removed using some tricks.

Toothpaste

Using a small amount of toothpaste and a cotton pad or any soft material on which the product will be applied, you need to wipe the dirty area.

Nail polish remover

Using this method Only suitable for fair skin.

• Apply the liquid to the swab and use it to lightly wipe the stained area.
• Then rinse off the liquid with plain water.

The method has proven itself well in removing marks from a ballpoint pen.

Baking soda or cornstarch

Ideal for removing oil or grease stains.

1. It is necessary to spray these products.
2. Leave it overnight and remove any residue in the morning.
3. You should wash off the soda carefully and several times.

Medical alcohol

Excellent mold remover. To remove a stain you need to:

• make a solution in a 1 to 1 ratio: distilled water and medical alcohol,
• lubricate the damaged area,
• Wipe with clean water and dry.

Professional products

In addition to traditional methods, there are special products that will gently remove dirt from the skin:

1. Skora.
2. Leather Cleaner.
3. Leather Stain Remover.
4. Sir Asprins Stain Remover Spray.

How to remove the smell of smoke?

There are several simple but effective methods:

1. Vinegar. Mix water and vinegar in equal quantities. Using a soft cloth moistened with this solution, it is necessary to treat the surface, but do not rub or wet it.
2. Coffee grounds. You need to fill it with a piece of gauze or an old nylon stocking and put it in your pocket. Coffee will absorb smoky odors on clothes.
3. Ventilation. It is enough to take the item out into the fresh air.

You can repeat these methods until the unpleasant smell from cigarettes disappears.

Recovery after the procedure

Most often, after washing, the previous shine that gave the leather product newness disappears. To solve this problem, there are simple but effective recipes:

1. Candle wax. If your jacket needs to add a touch of shine or shimmer, wax is ideal. It is enough to melt a candle and apply a little to the desired areas of leather or substitute clothing.
2. Glycerol. You need to rub it into areas of a more faded shade. It is absorbed quickly, about an hour or a little more. Glycerin will also add a little softness to the product.

How to clean a light-colored item?

It is best not to machine wash a light leather jacket, but use dry washing using folk remedies.

For these purposes the following are most often used:

• milk;
• lemon juice;
• soap solution;
• eraser.

There is only one application recipe: apply to the stain and after 20-30 minutes rinse with a wet cloth.

How to wash the lining?

Dust and dirt can accumulate not only on the outside, but also on the inside, so it is necessary to wash the lining.

1. Separately. If the lining is removed, then everything is quite simple: according to the material, treat it with powder or another product and rinse.
2. Together. It is important not to wet the skin so that it does not fade. You can clean the lining using a solution of soapy water. After 5-10 minutes, wipe with a dry and soft towel to remove moisture. Dry on hangers.

Drying rules

There are several rules:

1. Do not expose your skin to strong heat, that is, leave it near fireplaces or stoves.
2. When using a hair dryer, the air blown out should be cold.
3. Do not leave in direct sunlight.
4. You can dry a leather jacket only in a vertical position.
5. It is best to dry in a well-ventilated place.

Useful video

This video will tell you how to clean a leather jacket:

Conclusion

Washing a leather jacket is quite difficult, so it is better to use a dry wash, cleaning only the dirty areas.

At the very beginning, pay attention to the special instructions on the product tags. They will tell you how to wash it correctly and what restrictions there are. If the product is too expensive, then contact the dry cleaner.