Modern clothes are made from a variety of materials. Some of them require special care. Many people often wonder how to wash a leather jacket so that it retains its original appearance. There are some features of this process that should be paid attention to.
Basic rules for caring for leather goods
When buying a new leather jacket, you should make sure that the material is natural. There are cases when unscrupulous sellers pass off artificial leather as natural. The first sign of low-quality material is a specific unpleasant smell.
A quality product usually has a protective layer. However, it is recommended to additionally treat the leather jacket with a special agent before the first use. This will protect it from the negative impact of external factors in the future.
During wearing, dirt often appears on outerwear. It should be remembered that a leather jacket can only be washed after removing any dust. For this purpose, it is recommended to shake the product well or wipe it with a dry cloth, or, as a last resort, use a vacuum cleaner.
To maintain a beautiful appearance, it is recommended to periodically wipe the product with glycerin, Vaseline or castor oil. You can use a folk remedy: make a mixture of milk and turpentine in equal proportions, dip an orange peel in it and wipe the jacket.
It is strictly forbidden to use solvents containing acetone, gasoline, kerosene to remove unwanted stains. In addition, if the stain is easily soluble in water, the washing machine is absolutely contraindicated. There is a high risk of damaging the product.
When storing leather jackets in closets for a long period of time, it is necessary to use covers made of breathable fabric. Polyethylene is not recommended. However, you should use a hanger of the appropriate size. Being folded can spoil the appearance of the clothes.
Homemade washing methods
If a leather item gets dirty, experts recommend contacting a dry cleaner. However, many do not trust such companies, preferring to wash a leather jacket at home. There are several ways to get rid of unwanted dirt, eliminate unpleasant odors, and add extra shine. The following washing options are the most popular:
- dry;
- manual;
- machine.
It is allowed to wash a leather jacket by hand or in an automatic washing machine. Each method has its own subtleties. One or another option should be used depending on the circumstances, the degree and type of contamination, and the availability of recommended cleaning agents.
It is essential to first read the instructions on the jacket label. Find out what washing methods the manufacturers themselves recommend. This will help to avoid unwanted actions that can completely ruin the product.
Dry wash
Dry washing is the cleaning of an item using special cleaning agents, liquid solvents, and soap without using water. This method is considered the safest. This is explained by the fact that water has a detrimental effect on the skin, since it washes away the protective components of the material.
Dry cleaning is relevant for minor contamination. The jacket gets dirty mainly in the collar area. By regularly wiping it with glycerin (residual substance should be removed with a dry cloth), you can keep the product in perfect condition for a long time.
Dry cleaning is also recommended for light-colored leather items. Mix talc with turpentine and wipe the jacket with the prepared solution. Then remove excess mixture with a dry cloth.
Experts recommend using dry cleaning for any type of dirt as a first aid. If the desired result is not achieved, then you can proceed to using other methods, having previously studied how to wash a leather jacket correctly. As practice shows, even the most difficult stains can be removed.
Manual
Hand washing involves using a minimum amount of water. Knowing how to wash a leather jacket correctly, you can remove all the dirt and keep the product in its original form. First of all, you need to thoroughly prepare. It is advisable to use a basin with a fairly large bottom. Then you need to follow a clear algorithm:
- Pour water at room temperature into a basin.
- Add liquid soap, mix everything well.
- The jacket should be laid out as straight as possible, without creases.
- Using a soft sponge, gently wipe the skin.
- The lining fabric can be washed more intensively.
Hand washing is recommended when it is necessary to refresh the product after removing stains, to get rid of odor, or after prolonged wearing that has led to deterioration in appearance.
After the product has been washed and dried, it is recommended to carefully inspect it for microcracks or scratches.If they are found, it is advisable to treat the surface with liquid leather. This product can be purchased at a specialized store. The procedure will protect the leather jacket from premature loss of its attractive appearance.
In an automatic car
Many people wonder whether leather jackets can be washed in an automatic washing machine. It is possible to do this type of cleaning, but it is an extreme measure and quite risky. If you decide to use an automatic machine, you must follow certain recommendations on how to properly wash a leather jacket at home. First, you need to zip up the jacket and clean out any foreign objects from the pockets. Next, turn the jacket inside out, fold it in half, connect the sleeves together and place them on top of the clothes. Roll the product from the bottom to the top. The resulting bundle should be placed in a cloth bag.
In order to carefully wash a leather jacket in a washing machine, the temperature should be set within 30-40 degrees. A special detergent is added in small quantities. The washing mode should be delicate, characterized by small revolutions, not exceeding 40-50 minutes in time.
It is prohibited to use the wringing in the washing machine, as well as twisting. Dry the washed leather jacket on a hanger of the appropriate size in a well-ventilated room.
Selection of detergents
Today, the market is full of a variety of detergents and cleaning agents intended for materials that differ in properties and composition. Leather is no exception. When deciding how to wash a leather jacket without ruining it, you should pay attention to special household chemicals.
Manufacturers create cleaning solutions for leather taking into account all the features of the material. However, if you were unable to purchase a special product, do not despair. You can use standard washing powder, preferably liquid. The main condition is the absence of bleach or coloring pigment in its composition.
It is forbidden to use acetone, gasoline or other solvents to clean leather products. Their effect is detrimental to the natural material, as it leads to degreasing. The jacket will instantly and irrevocably lose its appearance.
The main rule when using detergents is to first test the solution on a small area, preferably from the back side. If there are no adverse changes, you can safely clean or wash the jacket. The right product and the right approach will extend the life of your outerwear for many years.
How to remove stains
As a rule, washing a leather jacket is a drastic measure necessary if there are visible stains. Most often, these are stains of various origins. There are a number of proven means for removing them from leather products.
It is recommended to wipe off dirt stains with a soap solution, then remove the remains with a dry cloth. To get rid of dust, it is better to simply shake the product or wipe it with a cloth. It is not recommended to use wet wipes, as the substances they contain will spoil the products over time.
Oil and greasy stains can be removed using products that every housewife has at hand. These include flour, starch, and crushed chalk. To do this, lightly wet the stained area, sprinkle a small amount of the product, and gently wipe with a sponge. Leave the jacket like this for 15-20 minutes. Then remove the remaining mixture.
Stains from paint or fuel oil are removed using a specialized solvent designed for leather products. In this case, you should act quickly enough. Wipe the stain with a sponge soaked in solvent until it disappears. Then remove the remains with a soap solution, wipe dry with a rag.
Mothers of schoolchildren often have a question about how to wash out traces of a ballpoint pen or ink. They are easily removed with an eraser or tape. You should act strictly along the trajectory of the contamination. Do not expose a large area of the product to the effect, since a significant section of the protective layer may be damaged.
After a walk in the rain, whitish stains may appear on a leather jacket. You can get rid of them with table vinegar by wiping the surface with it. In addition, you should regularly treat the product with lemon juice. It has a beneficial effect on the natural material, maintaining a presentable appearance longer.
How to dry properly
After washing the leather jacket, you can start drying it. In this matter, you should also follow the recommendations that help extend the life of outerwear. To dry the jacket, you need to lay it out on a flat surface for several hours. This will help avoid deformation. Next, you should choose a hanger of the appropriate size, hang the product. It is advisable to choose a well-ventilated place, without direct sunlight.
After the leather jacket has dried completely, you may need to smooth out the creases. This should be done with particular care. Using an iron is also an option. Iron through a woven cloth placed over the garment turned inside out. The temperature regulator should be set to the wool setting.
After all the procedures have been carried out, the natural material needs to regain its softness and original shine. Castor oil, Vaseline or wax are used for this purpose. Following all the recommendations on how to wash a leather jacket at home, you can significantly extend the life of your favorite product.
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