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Caring for Leather Jackets for Women

Leather jackets for women are a stylish choice.  Leather is long-lasting and durable, if you know how to take care of it properly.  To get the longest wear and the most mileage out of your leather jacket, it’s important to know the proper way to clean and maintain the garment.  If you’ve ever been hesitant to purchase a leather jacket because you think they require a lot of specific upkeep, they don’t. 

Contrary to what you might think, leather does not need to be professionally dry cleaned every time it gets dirty. Although a routine professional cleaning is a good idea once in a while, it’s not necessary on a regular basis.  Most of the time, all that is required to clean your jacket is to wipe down off the dirt and dust with a clean cloth or a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo.  The important thing to remember is that leather does not like water, so don’t soak the jacket when you clean it.  A damp cloth is best.  If there is a specific stain on the jacket, rub baby shampoo or leather cleaner directly on to the stain and let it sit for a little while.  Then, carefully sponge it off with a damp (not wet) sponge to lift away the stain.  If there are stains that are larger or more set in, a great product to use to clean them is saddle soap.  Combined with a small amount of water, this can be a very effective way to clean your leather jacket. 

Note that if you jacket is made of suede leather, use a suede brush to brush away dirt and dust, rather than soap and water.  Otherwise, you will damage the suede finish.

There are a few precautions you should take when you wear your leather jacket. And sometimes women’s clothing alterations come into the picture. First, don’t spray things like hair spray or perfume while you have on your jacket.  If the residue lands on your leather jacket, it can damage the leather.  Spray these things and then put on your jacket.  Next, it’s always a good idea to protect your jacket with a waterproofing spray. Always test the spray on an inside area to be sure it does not affect the colour of the leather before you spray the entire jacket.  If you do get caught in the rain, however, hang your jacket as soon as possible and allow it to air dry, without heat.  If the leather gets stiff after having been wet, it can be restored to a supple finish by massaging it with a leather conditioner.

By following these guidelines, you will be able to enjoy your leather jacket for years to come.  Leather jackets are a beautiful style statement, whether you are looking for one you can wear to work or one that will take you through the weekend, there is a perfect style out there for everyone.

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Judy Wilson

Thursday 12th of May 2016

My husband gave a beautiful leather jacket to me for my birthday, so these tips will be great to know so that I can take good care of it. I thought you made a good point about avoiding spraying substances that would leave residue on my jacket. There have been a few times when I decided to use hair spray while wearing a hoodie or a sweater while I was running out the door. I should remember to avoid doing this so that I won't accidentally ruin my new jacket. Thanks for the tips!

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