Thinking about buying a leather jacket in the near future? There’s no denying the fact that leather jackets are stylish and comfortable, making them a popular choice among men and women alike. While other fashion styles come and go from year to year, leather remains a classic choice that’s known to withstand the hands of time. To get the most use of a leather jacket, though, you’ll want to give it a little TLC, which we’re going to discuss further in this blog post.
Limit Exposure To Rain
There’s nothing wrong with exposing your leather jacket to a light spring/summertime rainfall. However, leaving it where it’s exposed to rain for hours or days on end will certainly cause damage. Leather is a highly durable textile, but like all natural textiles, it’s susceptible to the elements. So if you’re going to wear it outside during the rain, remember to bring it back inside — and to dry it promptly so there’s no moisture remaining on the surface.
Beware of Soda Spills!
I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you should use caution to avoid accidentally spilling any drinks on your leather jacket, especially sodas. Why are sodas such a problem? Aside from the sticky residue they leave behind, sodas are highly acidic and can eat through the supple texture of leather.
Clean Spills Promptly
Okay, spills are bound to occur at some point or another. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, you will eventually spill a drink on your leather jacket. When this happens, act fast to clean it so it doesn’t cause any lasting damage. Using a damp washcloth or paper towel, blot the area of your jacket until the liquid has been removed. Don’t use any special garment stain removing products, as these may do more harm than good. Stick with good old fashioned water just to be on the safe side.
Conditioning
Arguably, the single most important step in caring for a leather jacket is to condition it. You can purchase leather conditioning products from most leather goods stores, as well as some horse & tack stores. Follow the instructions, which usually includes rubbing the product into the leather, and voila, your leather will have a layer of protection.