How To Clean A Leather Jacket

How to clean a leather jacket is not as complicated as it seems. Instead of taking it to the cleaners every year, you can freshen it up right from home. Our Fashion editors tell you how.

To clean a leather jacket, you will need:

• A bucket filled with warm water
• A mild detergent or soap.
• Sponges
• Favorite leather conditioner
• Vacuum cleaner
• Baking soda

1. Add a small amount of soap in a warm bucket of water. Mix the water well.
2. Dampen the sponge with the soapy water and gently wipe the jacket. Never scrub or be abrasive to the jacket.
3. Wipe off the soap. Rinse the sponge with water and wipe the jacket down to remove and soap residue.
4. Blot the moist coat with a clean dry sponge. Make certain all the extra moisture is wiped off the leather jacket.
5. Hang up the leather jacket. Allow it to completely dry before cleaning the liner.
6. Spread the leather jacket out on the floor liner side up. Carefully suck up the dust and debris with a vacuum attachment.
7. Lightly wash the liner. Put warm water and a bit of laundry detergent in a small bucket. If the liner has an odor add a small amount of baking soda. Mix the liquid until suds start to foam.
8. Use a sponge to clean the liner. Make sure to squeeze the sponge out well so you only dampen the liner. If the water bleeds to the other side it could ruin your leather. Only work on small sections at a time. Use a separate dry sponge to soak up any extra moisture as you work.
9. Hang the coat in an open area. Let the leather jacket dry completely before hanging it back up in the closet.