Apr
How to Wash a Leather Jacket in a Washing Machine (And Should You Even Try?)
How to wash a leather jacket – Offered by The Leather Grow – Genuine leather. Made by hand. No Compromise.
To be fair, leather jackets are more than simply fashion statements. They are legacies. Whether you wear a beautiful lambskin blazer or a rugged biker jacket, your leather is meant to last decades, not just seasons.
But what happens when your cherished leather jacket becomes filthy—really dirty?
It could have emulated dirt over time, been through a muddy road trip, or been at a rainy festival. Your first reaction could be: Can I simply toss this item into the washing machine?
Short answer: you can, but you probably shouldn’t.
Lengthy response? That’s what we’re exploring today.
⚠️ The Dangers of Machine Washing a Leather Jacket
First off, leather is not like your daily cotton hoodie or polyester windbreaker.
It’s a porous, natural substance. It calls for moisture balance, meticulous treatment, and great respect. Throwing it in the washing machine could:
- Remove the natural oils, which cause brittleness.
- Make warping or shrinking.
- Resulting in cracks, stiffness, or colour fading.
- Harm interior linings, particularly if they are fragile or insulated.
- Change the jacket’s fit and shape.
Why, then, are we still discussing it?
Sometimes, people wish to try, whether out of desperation or curiosity. If you really have to, let’s first go through this procedure correctly; thereafter, the crew at The Leather Grow advises safer options.
Should you have to machine wash your leather jacket, read this first.
High-end or irreplaceable jackets should not be treated this way. But other folks have done it—very carefully—for less expensive, less structured items and lived to tell the story.
What You Will Require
- Mild liquid detergent—no bleach, no harsh chemicals
- A front-loading washing machine (top-loaders with agitators can harm leather)
- Chilly water
- A pillowcase or mesh washing bag
- Fresh towels
- A leather conditioner—more on this later
Last Resort Option: Machine Washing Instructions
Prepare the Jacket:
Clear all pockets. Fully zip the jacket. Remove removable components such as belts or fur collars. Put the jacket in a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag and tie it closed.
Choose the Appropriate Settings
Select a wool or delicate cycle using cold water. Skip high-speed agitation or spin.
Choose a mild detergent
Include only a small amount of mild detergent—ideally, one designed for delicates.
Rinse just once; let it soak.
The aim is gentle cleaning, not a deep scrub. Once cleaned, remove it from the machine immediately.
Flat and Slow: Air Dry Only
Place the jacket flat on a dry cloth. Mold it back into shape. As it dries, turn it sometimes. Stay away from dryers, heaters, or sunshine.
Treat the leather
Apply a leather conditioner to restore suppleness once totally dry—which could take up to 48 hours.
How to Recondition Leather Following Washing
Any water contact causes genuine leather to lose natural oils. Conditioning is required following a machine wash if you wish it to remain supple and resist breaking.
- Use a product designed for genuine leather—like mink oil or cream-based conditioners.
- Try it first in a small, concealed area.
- Using a soft cloth, rub softly in circular strokes.
- Allow it to soak in for thirty to sixty minutes.
- Buff off any extra.
Even without washing, we usually advise The Leather Grow to condition once every 6–12 months. Leather is a living material; it has to breathe and be breathed to survive.
Safer Options to Wash Leather Jackets
You could be asking right now: Isn’t there a better approach?
Absolutely. Indeed, there is. Real leather professionals clean and preserve jackets without endangering their lives in a washing machine.
Spot Cleaning with Mild Soap
Should your jacket only have a few stains or some dirt:
- Apply a drop of baby shampoo or mild soap to lukewarm water.
- Moisten a delicate cloth and lightly rub the stain.
- Wipe away leftover material by rinsing the cloth.
- Use another clean cloth to dry it right away.
It is ideal for everyday grime and little spills.
Professional Leather Cleaning
This is the safest choice, especially if your jacket is made of high-grade cowhide or lambskin, like the ones in our Trendy Leather Jackets or Best Seller Collection.
Look for a leather specialist dry cleaner. They will have the correct tools and chemicals to clean it without distorting the material.
DIY Steam & Brush
For jackets with surface dirt or a stale smell:
- During a hot shower, hang the jacket in your bathroom. Let it steam, not soak.
- Loosen dirt with a soft-bristle brush.
- Allow it to air out in a ventilated area—NOT in direct sunshine.
Bonus advice: Dry settings could make leather crack; it enjoys moisture. Occasional steaming keeps it soft.
Types of Jackets & Care Advice from The Leather Grow
Various kinds of leather need somewhat varied maintenance. Here is our advised treatment for every kind—all included in our collections.
🛣️ Cowhide Leather Coats
- Thick, strong, and well-organized. Perfect for cold gear and motorbike jackets.
- It is more durable but still not machine-safe.
- Conditions nicely.
- Regular spot cleaning and air drying are ideal.
Look at our tough new arrival jackets for ideas.
Lambskin Leather Jackets
- Lightweight, soft, buttery. Excellent for daily layering and fashion-forward items.
- More sensitive—stay away from water contact.
- Always condition after using ultra-light cleansers.
- No matter how mild the setting, never machine wash.
Check out our fashion-forward items in the Trendy Leather Jacket Collection.
💎 Nubuck or Suede Jackets
- These kinds call for particular sprays and brushes.
- Always avoid machine washing.
- Try dry cleaners or suede erasers.
- Every few months, use suede sprays to protect.
Genuine Jackets, Real People
How do other people maintain their leather appearance?
Visit our Customer Gallery to learn how leather aficionados worldwide maintain their coats in peak condition through travel, winter, concerts, and more.
Final Thoughts: Can the Washing Machine Clean a Leather Jacket?
The reality is as follows:
A washing machine can clean a leather jacket, but only if you accept the genuine danger of destroying it.
But do you really want to? Most likely not.
Genuine leather merits genuine attention. For this reason, we usually advise professional services or mild hand cleaning. If you’re buying one of our ethically produced, handcrafted leather jackets for under $300, it only makes sense to handle it properly.
Your jacket merits more.
Every item we create at The Leather Grow is made with excellent lambskin or full-grain cowhide. We don’t skimp. We don’t employ phony leather. And we don’t think you should either—not in care, cleaning, or anything.
🧥 Look through our inventory:
🎁 Gift – At checkout, apply code TLG30 to get 30% OFF your first buy.
Cleaning leather might be rugged, but when you buy at The Leather Grow, finding the ideal one is not.
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