One of the closet staples that I wear year after year, is my beloved leather jacket. A few years ago I invested in a more high-quality designer leather jacket and am so thankful I did. For how much use I get out of it, it was worth every penny. If you’re a leather jacket kind of gal, I really do suggest investing in that perfect style that you will love for years to come. It’s a staple and versatile piece in my wardrobe that truly goes with so much. I’ve worn this one for years and throughout every season. From dressed-up looks, travel outfits, and everything in between.
After a few years though, I noticed my OAK leather jacket was getting a very dry feeling to it. And in some parts, the arm would stick to the body. I was starting to worry it was getting old and going to just crack on me one day. I didn’t even realize that you should really be cleaning your leather jacket and caring for it a certain way. So I started to Google what to do and realized, it was time to condition my beloved leather jacket.
Leather jackets should really be cared for to keep them in mint condition and to avoid and cracking, peeling or fading. Just a few maintenance steps can help keep your investment piece looking great for years to come. Taking care of your leather jacket can help extend the life of this closet staple. When you care for your leather jacket, it’ll look great for longer and hold up better over the years.
How to Condition A Leather Jacket
Clean Your Leather Jacket First
Before you begin conditioning, you may want to clean your jacket first. No this doesn’t mean bringing it to the dry cleaners or running it through the washing machine. Cleaning a leather jacket is just not that simple. They’re finicky and really are a pain to truly clean. All you need to do though is take a slightly damp cloth and wipe down any dust on your jacket. You also don’t want this to be super wet. Leather is porous, and you won’t want to get it soaking wet. Let your jacket air dry fully for 24 hours. If your jacket is heavily soiled, you may want to try a bit of dish soap with warm water and use a washcloth to clean.
Do A Test Patch
Before you condition your whole jacket, you want to first do a test patch. This is usually pretty easy to do on the inside hem of the jacket. Or underneath the collar. You just want to ensure your conditioner isn’t staining your jacket or doing anything weird to it. Do a small test patch and let it sit for 24 hours.
Start Conditioning
After you have done a successful test patch, you can go ahead and start conditioning. This is really simple and all you need is a soft cloth and your leather conditioner. I used the Leather Honey Conditioner and a microfiber cloth. Dispense some of your leather conditioners onto the cloth and just wipe onto your jacket. Each leather conditioner should have its own instructions on the back of the bottle as well. When I was doing this, it felt like I was using a TON of product, but afterward realized, I barely made a dent in the bottle.
Repeat
Once you’ve conditioned your leather jacket, you are good to go for about 6-12 months. Or after a period of time whenever you feel like your leather jacket needs a little hydration.
Storing Your Leather Jacket
Now that your jacket is conditioned and you know how to care for it, it’s also important to store it properly. Keep it away from extreme heat or moisture. And it can be a good idea to hang it on a padded hanger. Remember, leather molds to the body, and also hangers. So avoid any sharp edges when hanging your jacket up for the season.
Best Leather Jacket Conditioners
Leather Honey Conditioner
I had no idea where to start with leather conditioners to try and when I googled, this one came up the most. I decided to give it a try and can say, it works! It’s $20 and you can buy it on Amazon. I feel like this will last me years!
TriNova Leather Cleaner
This one has tons of great reviews on Amazon and also claims to be waterproof. Not sure if it works, but may be worth a try if you live in a more wet climate.
