Leather jackets enhance what you are wearing and they make a traditional statement to others about your ruggedness and machismo. Whether your jacket is brand new or a vintage treasure, there are ways to take care of your investment so that it looks almost as good as the day you brought it home. Leather bomber jackets require a little more TLC than the rest of your outerwear wardrobe. You cannot just toss one in the wash and hope it will come out looking fresh and new (seriously, do not do that).

Preventing Damage and Wear to A New Leather Coat

Make sure to protect your brand new and unworn jacket before you wear it out for the first time. (Think about it—you would not drive an uninsured car, right?)

“A leather or suede protectant spray is important to protect your garment or shoes from water and rain,” says Cambronero. “Kiwi Protect-all is a good option, but always spot test first to make sure the spray does not cause any damage or discoloration!” Pick somewhere inconspicuous like under the arm or lapel. Check the label to see how long the spray lasts, and be sure to reapply it as directed. If your coat already has water damage, use the spray after you have let it dry and cleaned the jacket.





What to do if Your Jacket Has Water Stains

Here is what NOT to do first: do not throw your coat into the dryer or try spot drying with a hair dryer. This will damage the natural leather. It is recommended that you hang the damp garment in a room with plenty of light and airflow. It will dry on its own.





Leather Bomber Jacket Cleaning Tips

The first thing you should do if you notice stains or spills on your jacket is to look inside at the coat lining. A garment care tag should be sewn into the jacket lining and contains instructions for care and cleaning. If you have a suede jacket, you will need to take it to a dry cleaner for professional cleaning. Ink stains can be removed from smooth leather with rubbing alcohol. (Also called Isopropyl alcohol.) Use a white cloth and be careful not to scrub too hard because you could cause fading.

To clean the outside the jacket, prepare a soap and water solution from pet or baby shampoo. You could also use pre-treated leather cleaning wipes, or olive oil to clean and condition your coat. After you have gone over the stains, and cleaned the rest of the jacket, you should hang it on a sturdy hanger and allow it to dry in a room with plenty of light and air circulation.





Leather Conditioner

Newer jackets are usually made from soft and thin leather, so they may not benefit from an application of leather conditioner. Vintage leather coats can be softened and protected by putting a coat of leather conditioner on them. It is important to apply the conditioner to older coats to prevent cracking and breaking down of the coat over time.

“I think it’s best to clean a jacket only when necessary,” says Cambronero. “Leather looks better with a lived-in look.” So those rain marks you are stressing about? Think of them as signs you found a jacket you really love.

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