Does your leather jacket look worn and degraded? If you wear any type of jacket or coat for long enough, it will eventually show signs of wear — and leather jackets are no exception. With that said, you can revitalize an otherwise old and worn leather jacket by following a few simple steps.
Clean it
You can’t expect to revitalize the appearance of an old leather jacket without cleaning it. Over time, leather jackets will accumulate dirt, dust and debris that, when left unchecked, will result in a degraded appearance. You can typically clean an old leather jacket, however, by wiping down the surface with a damp washcloth and gentle-formulated dish soap. Alternatively, there are leather soaps and detergents available that are designed specifically for leather products.
Inspect for damage
In addition to cleaning it, you’ll also need to inspect your leather jacket for damage. High-quality leather jackets — those made of genuine leather — are naturally protected against damage. With that said, they can still sustain damage when exposed to physical stress. Therefore, you should take a few minutes to inspect your leather jacket for damage. Look around the seams for signs of frayed stitching or other forms of damage. If you discover any damage, you’ll need to repair it. Otherwise, it will may spread while causing additional damage in the process.
Store it on a clothes hanger
Assuming you aren’t doing so already, you should get into the habit of storing your leather jacket on a clothes hanger. While tossing your leather jacket on the floor, your bed or elsewhere in your home may sound harmless, it can leave your jacket susceptible to deformation. Your leather will lose its original shape when not stored on a clothes hanger. Thankfully, though, you can retain or even restore the original shape of your leather jacket by storing it on a heavy-duty clothes hanger, preferably one made of wood rather than plastic.
Keep it dry
To rejuvenate the appearance of an old leather jacket, you’ll need to keep it dry. Genuine leather is like a sponge. When it gets wet, leather will absorb and hold water. Normally, this doesn’t cause any issues. If leather remains wet for a prolonged period, however, it may develop mildew. You can protect your leather jacket from mildew, as well as other forms of water-related damage, by keeping it dry. If you wear your leather jacket outdoors on a rainy day, use a towel to dry it off. By keeping your leather jacket dry, you’ll promote a cleaner and more pristine style.
Replace loose or missing buttons
If there are any buttons on your leather jacket that are either loose or missing, you should replace them. You only need a few basic items to replace buttons on a leather jacket, including some thread, a needle and the replacement buttons. It’s recommended that you choose replacement buttons in the same color, shape and style as the old buttons. By doing so, you can restore your leather jacket back to its original appearance.
If you aren’t comfortable replacing the buttons yourself, you can take your leather jacket to a local tailor. A tailor will likely charge you to replace a button (or several buttons) on your leather jacket, but it’s a small price to pay considering the utility and value offered by a genuine leather jacket.
Condition it
Perhaps the most important step to revitalizing an old leather jacket is conditioning it. We’ve talked about this before on our blog here at LeatherCult, but in case you missed it, conditioning refers to the use of a hydrating product to protect leather products from drying out. While too much moisture can damage leather, so can not enough moisture.
Don’t wash and dry it
While comfortable and stylish, most leather jackets aren’t machine washable. As a result, you shouldn’t attempt to clean your leather jacket in the washing machine or dryer. What’s wrong with washing and drying leather jackets exactly? As previously mentioned, leather doesn’t hold up when exposed to moisture for prolonged periods. When washed in a washing machine, it will absorb and hold water, which may cause it to develop mildew.
Drying your leather jacket in a conventional tumble dryer is also a bad idea. The heat from a tumble dryer may cause your leather jacket to shrink, resulting in permanent damage.
Keep cleaning products away
With the exception of gentle dish soap, leather soaps and detergents, and leather conditioners, you shouldn’t use any other cleaning products on your leather jacket. Some people assume that bleach is okay to use in small amounts on leather jackets. Even when diluted, though, bleach is too aggressive for genuine leather. It can leave your leather jacket with an uneven tone in which some areas are lighter than other areas.
To rejuvenate the appearance of your leather jacket, it’s best to err on the side of caution by avoiding all cleaning products other than gentle dish soap, leather soaps and detergents, and leather conditioners. From bleach and ammonia to rubbing alcohol and other solvents, countless cleaning ingredients can damage jackets made of genuine leather.
Consider replacing
In some cases, your only option might be to replace your old leather jacket with a new leather jacket. If your current leather jacket doesn’t fit, for example, you should consider replacing it. Whether it’s too small or too big, there’s no easy way to change the size of a leather jacket.
You may also want to replace your leather jacket if it’s heavily damaged. Minor damage can typically be repaired. If your leather jacket is missing a button, for instance, you should be able to replace it. If your leather jacket is heavy damage, on the other hand, you should consider replacing it. A high-quality genuine leather jacket can last for over a decade, making it a smart investment for all fashion-conscious men and women.