Nothing says first-class style like a genuine leather jacket. From its subtle grain texture to its soft yet durable feel, leather truly in a class of its own. Perhaps this is why so many men and women prefer leather jackets are over fabrics and materials. But like all garments, even those made with leather must be properly maintained to preserve their appearance and characteristics.
Don’t Leave it in the Sun
Granted, occasional sun exposure isn’t going to cause any major damage to a leather jacket. However, if you leave your leather jacket stored directly in the sun, day after day, it can fade its color. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as some people prefer the unique look of faded leather. But if you’re hoping to preserve the original appearance of your leather jacket, it’s recommended that you store it out of the sun.
Don’t Scratch it
Use caution not to scratch your leather jacket, as this can leave visible marks behind that aren’t easy to remove. If you are working outside, for instance, consider wearing a different jacket so you don’t damage your leather jacket. Rubbing a leather jacket against a tree branch, nail or debris may leave behind visible scratch marks.
Spot Clean Stains
Try not to panic if you accidentally spill something on your leather jacket. With a little bit of work, minor stains can be removed. Just run a clean washcloth under lukewarm water and blot the stain until it comes out. Assuming the stain was recently made and hasn’t settled into the leather, this should suffice. For deeper stains, however, you may need to use vinegar to remove them.
Care Instructions
Check the care instructions for specific information pertaining to your leather jacket. Most leather jacket makers include instructions on how to clean and care for their jackets on the care tag. Being that each and every leather jacket is made differently, it’s a good idea to follow this advice.
Condition it
Leather jackets should be conditioned on a regular basis to help preserve their softness. When leather becomes dry, it has a tendency to crack open. The good news is that problems such as this are easily avoided by conditioning. Using a leather conditioner like Saddle Soap, rub it into your leather until there’s just a fine layer left behind. Repeat this process once every couple of months for maximum protection.