Leather jackets are naturally resistant to dirt and debris. While other materials have a tendency to catch and hold dirt and debris, leather has the opposite effect: it repels them. You can wear your leather jacket outdoors without worrying about it becoming dirty. However, it's still a good idea to clean your leather jacket on a regular basis. Although it repels most dirt and debris, leather -- like any material or fabric -- still requires an occasional cleaning to preserve its appearance and attractive characteristics. There are a few things you should know about cleaning a leather jacket, though. For some helpful tips on how to clean a leather jacket, keep reading.

Check the Care Label

The golden rule of cleaning any garment is to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and cleaning a leather jacket is no exception. Different manufacturers use different techniques and material to make their jackets. For specific instructions on how to clean and care for your leather jacket, check the care label. Typically found inside the collar, this label reveals the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning and caring for the jacket.

Don't Place in the Washing Machine or Dryer

I know this probably sounds like common sense to most people, but it's still worth mentioning that you should never place a genuine leather jacket in the washing machine or clothes dryer. These appliances are simply too rough for leather. While washing or drying your leather jacket once or twice shouldn't cause any permanent damage, doing it on a regular basis can certainly degrade the material and increase the risk of damage. So, keep your leather jacket out of the washing machine and clothes dryer and, instead, choose other methods to clean it.

Avoid Stains

Rather than cleaning your leather jacket after it has already been stained, try to avoid staining it in the first place. While easier said than done, you can avoid most stains by using caution when wearing your jacket. If you're eating or drinking something, for instance, consider taking off your leather jacket until you are finished. This way, if you happen to drop your food or spill your beverage, it won't end up on your leather jacket. As long as you're conscious about your leather jacket and use caution to avoid staining it, you can usually prevent dropped food or spilled beverages -- something that can otherwise cause stains.

Don't Use Stain-Removing Fabric Sprays

You can usually spot clean most garments using a stain-removing fabric spray. Available at most home goods stores, these sprays contain a formulated compound of ingredients that extracts stain-removing elements from most fabrics. Unless they specifically say "safe for leather," though, it's best to avoid using them on your leather jacket. Leather is like a sponge, with thousands of small holes, known as pores, that absorb moisture. And when you use a stain-removing fabric spray, the harsh chemicals it contains are absorbed into the leather, where they can dry out the leather, causing it to crack or fade. This is why it's best to err on the side of caution by avoiding the use of all stain-removing fabric sprays.

Clean With a Mild Soap Solution

Unless otherwise stated on the care label, it's usually best to clean a leather jacket using a mild soap solution. To create this solution, fill up a bottle with lukewarm water and add a small amount of gentle dish soap. Stir the solution until it's thoroughly mixed, after which you can use it to clean your leather jacket. You can soak a small sponge with the soap solution and rub it over the surface of your jacket to remove superficial dirt and debris. Before applying it throughout your jacket, though, it's recommended that you test it in a discreet location. As long as it doesn't stain your jacket or otherwise cause damage, you can proceed to clean the rest of your jacket using the soap solution.

Leather Cleaning Soap

Alternatively, you can use a special leather cleaning soap to clean your jacket. These products are specially formulated to clean leather without staining or damaging it. They are gentle, safe and easy to use, making them a smart investment for anyone who owns a genuine leather jacket. The only downside is that you can expect to pay more for a leather cleaning soap than a homemade soap solution like the one previously mentioned. Nonetheless, it's a safe and effective way to clean your leather jacket without exposing it to harsh chemicals. Just remember to read the directions before using it so that you'll know exactly how to apply the cleaning soap on your leather jacket.

Dry After Cleaning

Whether you use a homemade soap solution or a specially formulated leather cleaning soap, you should dry your leather jacket after cleaning it. Anytime you use a liquid cleaning solution on leather, it can saturate with the material with excess moisture. Small amounts of moisture shouldn't cause reason for concern. When significant amounts of moisture remain on leather for a prolonged length of time, however, it can contribute to mildew -- and that's something no one wants to discover on his or her leather jacket. To protect your leather jacket from mildew, try to get into the habit of drying it immediately after cleaning.

Condition After

You should also condition your leather jacket shortly after cleaning and drying it. Some people assume that cleaning a leather jacket is the same as conditioning it, but this isn't necessarily true. Cleaning involves the use of soap to remove dirt and debris, whereas conditioning involves the use of a special leather conditioning product like saddle soap to soften leather and protect it from drying out. A leather conditioning product will moisturize your leather jacket with just enough moisture so that it doesn't dry out and crack. A good rule of thumb is to apply a conditioning product to your leather jacket once every few months to preserve its appearance and integrity.