How to Care for a Leather Jacket

A good leather jacket needs very little. Two habits and one product will carry it for a decade.

Clean it gently

Wipe the jacket with a slightly damp, soft cloth after heavy use. Never soak it and never use household cleaners. Let it dry naturally at room temperature.

Condition twice a year

Apply a small amount of leather conditioner with a clean cloth, working in circles. Wipe off the excess after ten minutes. This keeps the hide supple and stops cracking at the elbows and collar.

Store it properly

Hang it on a wide, shaped hanger. Never fold it into a drawer, because creases set. Use a breathable garment bag, not plastic, which traps moisture.

If it gets wet

Blot the water, hang the jacket and leave it to dry away from radiators and hair dryers. Heat shrinks and stiffens leather. Condition it once it is fully dry.

Dealing with marks

Light scuffs often buff out with your fingertip, since the natural oils in skin warm the surface. For stains, use a dedicated leather cleaner and test it on a hidden area first.

The payoff

Leather is one of the few things you can buy that improves with age. Look after it and the jacket will hold its shape and develop a patina that is yours alone.

Browse the Men's Leather Biker Jacket for a piece built to last.