How to Condition a Leather Jacket
A leather jacket can be an investment that lasts for many years when properly conditioned. Jackets that are not conditioned are not as resistant to weather, prone to cracking and do not last as long as those that are cared for properly. In just a few simple steps, you can protect your investment and make it look great with a soft, supple sheen.
Things You'll Need
- A minimum of two cleaning cloths
- Leather cleaner
- Leather conditioner: Be sure to purchase a leather conditioner designed specifically for leather as some oils and chemicals are extremely damaging to leather and will ruin your jacket.
- Clean your leather jacket thoroughly with the leather cleaner. Make sure the entire surface is free from dirt and debris that might impede the work of the conditioner.
- Squirt a small amount of leather conditioner onto a clean, dry rag. It only takes a little bit so be conservative.
- Rub the conditioner in a circular motion across the entire jacket, reapplying conditioner as needed. Make sure you pay special attention to high stress areas such as the elbows and shoulders as these are the areas that need to be the most flexible.
- Wipe the excess leather conditioner away with a second, dry rag. Leather will only absorb so much conditioner so you want to remove the excess to prevent it from getting into other clothes when the jacket is stored.
- Hang the jacket to dry for several minutes before placing it in storage. This allows the last of the conditioner to absorb fully into the leather.
The entire process should only take about 30 minutes, including drying time. Depending on how often you wear your jacket, you may want to repeat the leather conditioning process every few months to ensure your jacket stays protected from the elements and lasts you for many years to come.