Leather jackets offer a timeless look can be worn for any number of different occasions. Whether you’re going out for a night on the town or just doing some errands, it’s sure to keep you looking your best. While some fashion trends come and go, you can rest assured knowing that leather is here to stay. However, one of the problems faced with owners of leather jackets is having it dry out to the point where it’s no longer wearable. It usually doesn’t happen overnight, but after years of use the leather will slowly dry out and begin to crack. If you own a leather jacket or are thinking of owning one, keep reading and we’ll reveal some simple steps to making it soft.
Before we start, it’s important to realize what causes leather to dry out. The fact is that leather is made of porous animal hide that naturally absorbs moisture in the surrounding air. When it’s skinned and tanned, the pores are still on the hide but they will slowly release their water content instead of absorbing it. You can expect some of the moisture from the leather to release without causing any problems, but too much will cause it to dry out.
Apply Leather Conditioner
The best all-around method for keeping your leather jacket soft is to apply a coat of leather conditioner to it once in a while. You can pick up this stuff at most leather stores, shoe stores and even places like Wal-Mart and Target. Read the instructions carefully to determine the proper application. Typically, you’ll want to place a small amount of conditioner on a clean cloth and gently rub it into your jacket.
It’s easy to get over-zealous with conditioning your leather jacket and apparel, but you have to prevent doing it too much. When leather is given too much conditioner, it soaks up an excess amount of moisture to the point where it literally rots. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to repair rotted leather, so only give your leather jacket occasional conditioning.
In Conclusion
Going back to the basics of storing and maintaining your leather, you should keep it out of direct sunlight to help it stay soft. If your coatrack is next to a window where the sunlight beams through, this may be contributing to drying out your leather jacket. Instead, store it in a dark closet where there’s no chance of the sun affecting it.