How to Clean a Leather Jacket — Toronto Home Guide

Leather jackets are durable but require specific care — standard cleaning products strip the natural oils that keep leather supple, and water can stain or stiffen the material if not handled correctly. Most leather jackets do not need to be dry cleaned as frequently as people assume; regular conditioning and spot treatment handles most maintenance between professional cleans.

Surface Cleaning

1. Wipe down the entire jacket with a barely damp clean cloth to remove surface dust and light soil
2. For general grime: apply a small amount of leather-specific cleaner or a few drops of gentle dish soap to a damp cloth, work in circles over the affected area, then wipe clean with a fresh damp cloth
3. Allow to dry at room temperature — never use a hair dryer or place near a radiator; heat dries and cracks leather

Removing Salt Stains

1. Allow to dry first
2. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water
3. Dab onto salt stains with a soft cloth — the vinegar neutralizes the alkaline salt without damaging the leather
4. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and allow to dry
5. Condition the area immediately after — salt removal also removes leather oils

Removing Stains

• Ink: apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab, blot (don't rub), and wipe clean; condition the area after
• Grease or oil: apply a small amount of cornstarch or baking soda to the fresh stain and allow to absorb overnight; brush off and wipe the area; the powder absorbs the oil before it penetrates the leather
• Mould (white or green surface growth): wipe with a cloth dampened in a 1:1 solution of rubbing alcohol and water; then condition

Conditioning

1. Apply leather conditioner (such as Leather Honey or Bick 4) with a soft cloth to the entire jacket — including under the collar, in the creases at the elbows, and along the zipper
2. Work in circular motions and allow to absorb for 15–30 minutes
3. Buff off any excess with a clean dry cloth
4. Condition every 3–6 months, or any time the leather feels stiff

Storage

• Hang on a wide, padded hanger — wire hangers distort the shoulder shape
• Store in a breathable garment bag, never in plastic — leather needs airflow to prevent mould
• Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources — UV and heat fade and dry the leather