Want to extend the life of your leather jacket? Sure you do! A high-quality leather jacket is a smart investment that can offer countless years of use, assuming it's properly cared for. Unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of caring for their leather jackets, increasing the risk of fading and structural damage. While problems such as these can be avoided, you'll need to give your leather jacket a little TLC. So, what steps can you take to extend the life of your leather jacket?

Condition It

The single most important thing you can do to extend the life of your leather jacket is condition it. A leather conditioning product is designed to moisturize leather and protect it from drying it. One of the most common forms of leather damage is cracking, which usually occurs when the material becomes dehydrated. Although you can't see them, leather contains thousands of small pores that absorb or release moisture. When placed in a dry environment, leather will release its moisture; thus, making it dry and brittle. A conditioning product protects against this phenomenon by supplying your leather jacket with the right amount of moisture.

UV-Protectant

In addition to a leather conditioning product, you should also apply a UV-protectant to your leather jacket. As the name suggests, a UV-protectant is shields the material from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Just like UV light damages our skin, it can also damage leather. Your leather jacket probably won't sustain any noticeable damage from short-term exposure, but constantly exposing it to the sun's UV rays day after day can cause fading, cracking and other problems. To protect against such damage while extending the life of your leather jacket, consider applying a UV-protectant to it.

Hang on a Padded Clothes Hanger

We've all been guilty of tossing our jackets on the floor or back of the sofa at some time or another -- and that's okay. But if you want a better and more appropriate long-term storage solution, it's recommended that you hang it on a padded clothes hanger. Cheap plastic and wire clothes hangers just won't cut it, as they lack the necessary support for a leather jacket. Spending just a little extra money on a padded clothes hanger, however, is a smart investment that will extend the life of your leather jacket.

Choose the Right Size

I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it's still worth mentioning that you should choose the right size leather jacket. In a perfect world, you could always choose a "medium" or "large" and rest assured knowing that it will fit. But different companies use different sizes when manufacturing their jackets. Furthermore, a medium from one company may not be the same medium as produced by a different company. The good news is that you can custom order your leather jacket to fit by ordering it from LeatherCult. We offer custom sizing on all leather jackets at no additional charge. When ordering, simply include your body measurements, which we'll use to create the perfect fit. A fitted leather jacket will last longer and offer a better look and comfort, making it a smart investment.

Read the Care Label

Most people rarely (if ever) look at the care label of their jackets and garments. This is a huge mistake, however, as this label reveals the best way to clean and care for it. Manufacturers of leather jackets typically include a care label inside the collar. Here, you'll find specific instructions on how to clean and care for the jacket. Assuming you want to extent the life of your leather jacket, you should follow the advice listed on the care label. If it says "Do not clean in the washing machine," don't place it in the washing machine.

Spot Treat Stains

It's bound to happen sooner or later: stains. Maybe you spill your morning coffee on your leather jacket, or perhaps it gets dirty from working outdoors. Regardless, you should spot treat minor stains such as this in a timely manner. The sooner you treat them, the greater the chance of a positive outcome. Waiting until the following day to treat stains could result in them in "settling," making it increasingly difficult to remove. So, what's the best way to spot treat stains on a leather jacket? Again, it's recommended that you look at the care label for the manufacturer's recommendations. For most leather jackets, however, you can spot treat minor stains by blotted the affected area with a damp washcloth until it comes clean.

Store it in The Right Climate

Where do you plan on storing your leather jacket? Some people store their leather jackets in the attic or basement, only to discover the following year that this wasn't the best decision. The problem with storing leather jackets in the basement or attic is the humidity. Areas such as these tend to be humid -- and leather jackets aren't designed for long-term storage in humid climates. The excess moisture vapor in the air will seep into the leather's pores, promoting mold and mildew. Therefore, it's best to store your leather jacket in a climate-controlled area of your home, such as your closet. A basic humidity gauge will tell you how much moisture vapor is in the air. Ideally, you should store leather in an area with a 40% to 50% relative humidity level.

Professional Leather Repair

If your leather jacket happens to become damaged, take it to professional leather repair shop. There are countless leather repair shops throughout the country that will gladly fix your leather jacket. They have both the tools and experienced needed to handle this job. While leather repair services cost money, it's usually a fraction of the cost of buying a new leather jacket. Following these tips will help extend the life of your leather jacket. For other tips on how to clean and care for leather, check out our past blog posts here at LeatherCult.