Tips to Use a Leather Jacket for Years

Do you think leather jackets, the iconic piece of women's and men's clothing, can defy the years any more? This is quite possible with some maintenance suggestions!

Whether on jeans, on the shoulders of a basic dress, or in sporty-chic combinations with sweatshirts... If we say that leather jackets are a star piece that strengthens the perfect look in all styles, we think you'll agree with us, right? These jacket models, which are the most popular wardrobe items with their color, zipper and belt details as well as the strong look of the leather, constitute one of the most characteristic style elements.

With their timeless style, leather jackets are often one of the longest-lasting members of the wardrobe. Well, have you ever thought about what to pay attention to in order to use these popular pieces in the long term? Let's examine together what you should do to ensure that your leather jacket accompanies you on the road and for years to come!

1. What Should Be Considered When Using a Leather Jacket?

Leather jackets can have soft or hard textures depending on the type of leather used. However, without considering the degree of hardness as the most important condition, the leather can be used in fabric, nubuck, etc. It is possible to say that it is more sensitive than the materials. For this reason, it is of great importance to be careful when using a leather jacket.

1.1. What should be taken into consideration when using a leather jacket?

That is to say, it is necessary to act very gently and slowly when using a leather jacket. Because, due to its structure, leather can be damaged even by contact with products such as nails, keys and bracelets. Such contact may cause not only scratches on the jacket, but also damage to soft leather, including small tears.

If staining occurs while using a leather jacket, it is necessary to treat the stain quickly. Because the faster the intervention, the less the stain remains on the surface. Materials such as soapy water may be sufficient to remove stains. Additionally, if the jacket gets wet during use, it is necessary to leave the jacket to dry on its own in a shaded area. Although the lifespan of a leather jacket is extended when such points are taken into consideration, special cleaning and maintenance practices are definitely needed.

2. How to Clean a Leather Jacket?

Leather jacket cleaning is a must for years of use and first-day newness. Especially these outerwear products are t-shirts, sweaters, etc. Considering that they are not renewed as often as other products, the importance of taking good care of the jackets you own increases even more.

If your leather jacket is damaged due to dust, dirt and stains after daily use, or if it's time to take it out of your closet after hot summer days, get ready! We explain how you can clean your leather jacket:

• First, add warm water and a mild formula soap to a bucket.
• Then, wet a rough and not hard cloth (preferably a microfiber cloth) in the mixture you prepared and squeeze it well.
• Gently wipe the surface of the leather jacket with a damp and soapy cloth. At this stage, avoid movements that may damage the skin.
• After cleaning the exterior of the leather jacket, go over the damp areas with a dry microfiber cloth. Never dry using products such as heaters or hair dryers. Otherwise, high heat will damage the leather.
• After cleaning the outside of the leather jacket, follow the same process to clean the inside. But be careful to do this without turning the jacket upside down.
• Dry the inside of the leather jacket with a dry cloth. You can now leave your jacket to dry in a ventilated area out of direct sunlight.

3. How to Prevent Leather Jacket Shedding?

Have you ever returned from your wardrobe with sadness when the leather jacket season came? If you have noticed that the neck or arm areas of your jacket that you plan to use after a long time are falling off, you may have experienced this feeling.

2.1. What Causes Leather Jacket Shedding?

Leather jacket shedding usually occurs when the leather dries and cracks. With this spillage, the jacket can often become unusable. The general reasons for this situation are the decrease in the natural oil on the skin over time, the area where the jacket is stored being close to sunlight and heat, or the use of hard hangers. However, it is possible to prevent leather jacket shedding by taking some precautions.

2.2. What Can Be Done to Prevent Leather Jacket Shedding?

• To prevent leather jacket shedding, you should take care to keep the leather soft and oily. To do this, you can gently wipe the jacket with oil such as olive oil or castor oil at regular intervals. With the oil you apply, you can prevent the jacket from hardening and falling off, and you can also preserve its shiny appearance.
• Washing a leather jacket by hand or in the machine is also one of the situations that causes it to shed. For this reason, you should only clean the leather jacket by wiping it with a damp cloth and then take care to dry it in a damp-free and shaded area.
• When storing a leather jacket in the closet, you should choose padded hangers instead of wooden or plastic hangers. While such products are shaped according to a leather jacket, hard straps can strain the structure and form of the jacket. This may cause spills. For this reason, you should not skip choosing a special hanger.
• As we mentioned before, heat is one of the biggest factors that causes a leather jacket to crack and fall off. For this reason, the leather jacket can be used with stoves, radiators, etc. While keeping it away from areas, you should also be careful not to leave it under the sun.
• Storing the leather jacket in an airtight manner is also one of the factors that cause it to shed. For this reason, you should keep your leather jacket in a wardrobe with appropriate conditions and ventilate it at regular intervals.
• If your leather jacket has spilled, you can benefit from professional services that repair leather jacket spills.

4. How to Care for a Leather Jacket?

Regardless of whether it is a suede leather jacket or a sports leather jacket, all leather jacket models need routine maintenance. Because the material of this piece, leather, has a special and unique structure in itself.

For routine leather jacket maintenance, cleaning with warm soapy water as mentioned above is quite suitable. For suede leather jacket care, effortless and easy care can be achieved by using a suede brush and suede/nubuck cleaning sprays. While such applications that you can do at home are sometimes sufficient to wear your leather jacket for many years, sometimes services that offer professional leather jacket care are the best choice.