How to Care for and Clean a Leather Jacket (Real and Faux)

A leather jacket can stay with you for years if you look after it. The good news is that care is mostly about simple habits: keep it clean, keep it away from heat and store it well. This guide covers how to care for and clean both real and faux leather jackets, with cautious, general advice that works alongside the care label inside your jacket.

Start with the care label

Before you clean or treat anything, read the care label inside the jacket. It tells you what the shell and lining are made from and which cleaning methods are safe. If the label says professional leather cleaning only, follow it. Everything below is general guidance, not a replacement for the label.

Always spot test first. Try any cleaner or conditioner on a small hidden area, such as inside a facing or under the collar, and let it dry before you use it on the rest of the jacket.

How to care for a real leather jacket

Everyday care

• Brush off dust and wipe the surface with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
• Hang it up straight away so creases don't set.
• Give it a break between wears so any moisture from the day can evaporate.
• Avoid spraying perfume or hairspray directly onto the leather.

How to clean a leather jacket at home

For light marks on smooth real leather:

1. Lay the jacket flat or hang it on a wide hanger.
2. Dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and wring it out well. It should be barely damp.
3. Wipe the marked area gently. Don't scrub.
4. If you need more, use a cleaner made specifically for leather, following its instructions and after a spot test.
5. Pat the area dry with a clean cloth and let the jacket air-dry at room temperature.

Suede, nubuck and other textured finishes need different products and a suede brush, so check the label and use cleaners made for those finishes.

Conditioning

Real leather can dry out over time, especially in heated homes during winter. A leather conditioner helps keep it supple. Apply a small amount with a soft cloth, work it in with gentle circles, leave it to absorb and buff off any excess. Once or twice a year is plenty for most jackets that are worn regularly. Too much conditioner can darken leather or leave it sticky, so less is more.

If your jacket gets wet

• Blot off water with a dry towel. Don't rub.
• Hang it on a wide hanger to dry naturally at room temperature.
• Keep it away from radiators, heaters and hair dryers, which can make leather stiff or cracked.
• Once it's dry, condition it lightly if it feels stiff.

How to clean a faux leather jacket

Faux leather is usually easier to keep clean, but it needs a gentle touch.

1. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth dampened with water.
2. For marks, add a drop of mild soap to the water and wipe gently.
3. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove any soap.
4. Dry with a soft towel and hang the jacket to finish drying.

Avoid oil-based leather conditioners, solvents and harsh cleaners on faux leather unless the label says they're suitable. They can damage the coating. Heat and sharp folds are the main causes of cracking and peeling, so hang the jacket and keep it away from direct heat.

Can you wash a leather jacket in the washing machine?

As a rule, no. Machine washing and tumble drying can shrink, stiffen or crack real leather and can damage faux leather coatings. Only machine wash a jacket if its care label clearly says you can. For anything more than light spot cleaning, take a real leather jacket to a specialist leather cleaner.

Smells, mould and stains

• Smells: air the jacket in a well-ventilated room, away from direct sun. Avoid covering smells with perfume.
• Mould or mildew: this usually comes from storing a jacket in a damp place. Take it to a specialist cleaner, and store it somewhere dry in future.
• Oil, ink or wine: don't experiment with home remedies on real leather. Blot gently and ask a leather cleaning professional.

How to store a leather jacket

• Use a wide, shaped hanger. Thin wire hangers can stretch and dent the shoulders.
• Let it breathe. Store it in a breathable cotton garment bag, not plastic, which can trap moisture.
• Keep it cool and dry. Avoid damp basements, hot attics and spots next to radiators or sunny windows.
• Give it space. A crowded wardrobe causes creases and can rub the colour.
• Empty the pockets. Heavy items can stretch the leather out of shape.

Care tips by style

Different jackets need slightly different attention:

• Biker jackets have zips, studs and hardware. Wipe around metal parts so moisture doesn't sit against the leather. Browse women's biker jackets or men's biker jackets.
• Shearling-lined jackets need extra care: keep the lining dry and brush it gently if it flattens. See women's shearling jackets and men's shearling jackets.
• Leather vests follow the same rules as jackets. Hang them so the armholes keep their shape. Shop leather vests.

Not sure whether your jacket is real or faux leather? Our guide to real vs faux leather jackets shows how to tell, and our leather guide explains how different leathers feel and wear.

FAQs

How often should I condition a leather jacket?

For most real leather jackets, once or twice a year is enough, or whenever the leather starts to feel dry. Always spot test a new conditioner first.

Can I use household products on leather?

It's safest not to. Household cleaners, baby wipes and oils can strip or stain leather. Use products made for leather and follow the care label.

How do I get creases out of a leather jacket?

Hang it on a wide hanger and give it time. Most light creases relax on their own. Don't iron leather or faux leather yourself; ask a specialist cleaner if creases are deep.

Can faux leather be conditioned?

Most faux leather doesn't need conditioning, and leather conditioners can harm the coating. A gentle wipe with a damp cloth is usually all it needs.