Do you have a leather jacket that needs to be cleaned? Unsure whether or not it should go to the cleaners? Well, you've come to the right place. Quality leather jackets can be expensive, so it's important to know the safest way to clean them to keep them looking their best. We've researched whether or not dry cleaning is a good option for leather jackets, and in this post, we will go over our findings.
Yes. You can take a leather jacket to the dry cleaners. In fact, dry cleaning is typically recommended for leather jackets to prevent them from becoming damaged from washing machines or hand-washing. The frequency at which you take your leather jacket to the dry cleaners will depend on how often you wear it and other factors that may affect its condition, such as surface stains, weather exposure, and dirt residue.
It's always best to first read the care instructions on your leather jacket before taking it to the cleaners or performing any spot removal with cleaning products. You'll find, however, that most dry cleaners do accept leather jackets and other garments. Continue reading to learn more about cleaning leather jackets.
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Taking A Leather Jacket To The Dry Cleaner
Leather jackets will have varying reactions to water and chemicals, so dry cleaning usually offers a safe way to clean the jacket without causing permanent discoloration, fading, or chemical stains.
Dry cleaners typically have the best tools and products to help restore, protect, and remove stains from leather without damaging it. They are also more skilled at working with different types of leather grains and can usually gauge which products will work better for different types of leather grains.
Dry cleaners can also make changes to your leather jacket, such as restitching any torn areas or change the lining size to make the jacket larger or smaller. If you have purchased a leather jacket for the first time, it's helpful to take it to the dry cleaners so that they can advise on the best ways to maintain the jacket while at home.
How much does it cost to dry clean a leather jacket?
The amount of money that the dry cleaners charge will depend on your location and the size, type, and complexity of the design of your leather jacket. The color will also be considered.
That being stated, you'll typically find that leather jackets that are around 30 inches in length or shorter will cost anywhere from $40 to $50 to clean at the dry cleaners. In comparison, jackets over 30 inches in length can range anywhere from $50 to upwards of $80.
How do you deodorize leather?
Sometimes leather garments and furniture can hold in bad smells from smoke, food, cleaning products, and other items. The best way to get rid of the smell is to deodorize the leather.
To do this, you can use a leather cleaner, conditioner, or even silica gel to help lift the stains out from the fabric. If you prefer a more thorough approach, you can also use dish detergent and distilled vinegar to do the job. Check out the below steps on how to do it.
Things you'll need:
- Mild laundry detergent
- Distilled vinegar
- White microfiber cloth or rag
- Distilled vinegar
- Flaxseed oil
1. Remove loose dirt and debris
Take a handheld vacuum or a damp cloth and wipe down the leather garment or furniture. Pay special attention to cracks and crevices to remove any buildup of dirt, grime, or debris that may be hidden away in these areas. For garments, this includes buttons and pockets. On furniture, these areas include armrests and seat cushion buttons and rims.
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2. Create the cleaning solution
Place three to four drops of detergent into a medium-sized bowl and then pour in a quart of warm water. Next time, dip your cleaning cloth in the water and swish it around to create a few suds.
3. Apply the solution to the leather
Take your cleaning cloth and apply the cleaning solution to your leather garment or furniture. Be sure to first ring out the cloth thoroughly so that it is not dripping--it should be only mildly damp. Go over the leather thoroughly to remove any buildup that can be causing the odor on the fabric.
4. Wipe down the leather with a damp cloth
Next, rinse the cleaning cloth with warm water and go back over the leather product. Again, be sure to thoroughly ring out of cloth as not to place too much water on the fabric of the weather.
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5. Mix the vinegar with the flaxseed oil
Now it's time to add the deodorizer. Vinegar is a great deodorizer and odor eliminator, while the flaxseed oil can help to recondition the leather and restore its shine after the cleaning. Combine two cups of flaxseed oil with one cup of vinegar in a medium-sized bowl. Gently swirl the solution around with your hand for a few seconds.
6. Apply the solution to the leather
Dip your cleaning cloth in the solution and then apply it to your leather product using a circular motion. Be sure not to rub the surface of the leather too roughly, as you don't want to cause the color to fade. Let the solution sit on the leather anywhere from five to 10 hours, and then wipe the leather product down with a clean damp cloth.
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How do you clean a leather jacket with fur?
If you have a leather jacket with fur, it may be best to take it to the dry cleaners to be cleaned safely and thoroughly. However, if the care label on the leather jacket states that it can be hand-washed, you can use the below steps to clean the leather from the inside out.
Here are the steps to clean a leather jacket that contains fur.
Things you'll need:
- White microfiber cloth or rag
- Mild laundry detergent
- Lint-free towel
- Cleaning sponge
- Leather oil
Wash The Fur
- Pour three to four drops of detergent into a medium-sized bowl with a quart of water. It's best to first do a small spot test on a small area with the detergent to determine if it's safe. If the test does not leave the fur feeling coarse or hard to the touch, it should be good for the rest of the fur.
- Rinse your cleaning cloth and go back over the fur to remove the cleaning solution. Be sure to use cold water during this process.
- Pat the fur dry with a lint-free cloth.
Clean The Inside
- While the inside of your leather jacket may not be visible, it can develop odors from buildup and sweat from your armpits and torso. You can use the same cleaning solution for the fur that you used for the liner.
- Start by turning the jacket completely inside out and hang it up on a clothes hanger.
- Next, take your cleaning cloth and apply the cleaning solution to the liner. Make sure to ring out the cloth thoroughly beforehand.
- Go back over the liner with a damp cleaning cloth to remove the cleaning solution.
- Lastly, pat it dry with a dry microfiber cloth.
Clean The Outside
- Turn the jacket back on the right side so that the lining is on the interior. Next, create a fresh solution of cleaner by adding a few drops of detergent into a medium-sized bowl of warm water.
- Then, go over the jacket using the same process that you used to clean the inner liner.
- Rinse the jacket using cold water and pat it dry with a lint-free towel. Then, set the jacket on a flat surface to dry.
- Wait for the jacket to dry completely, and then rub it down with the mink oil. Be sure to apply the oil to your lint-free cloth and not to the jacket directly. Use short circular motions to work the oil into the grain, and be sure to apply it to the areas around the buttons, zippers, and under the collar of the jacket. And remember, you only need a small amount of oil for the entire jacket; a quarter-sized amount should suffice.
Wrapping Things Up
If you've never cleaned or owned a leather jacket before it, it may be best to take it to the cleaners for its initial cleaning. Not only can they safely clean your jacket, but they can also advise you on the best ways to take care of it so that it remains lustrous and moisturized.
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