Leather Care Guide

A good leather or suede jacket needs very little looking after, but a few simple habits make a real difference to how it wears and ages. This guide covers everyday care, suede, croc-embossed leather, rain, storage, stains and when to hand your jacket to a professional. To learn more about the hides themselves, see the leather we use.

Everyday care for smooth leather

After wearing, hang your jacket on a wide, shaped hanger so the shoulders keep their shape, and give it a little air before it goes back into a crowded wardrobe. Wipe off dust and light marks with a soft, dry cloth, or one that is barely damp with clean water.

  • Condition the leather every six to twelve months, or sooner if it starts to look dry or feel stiff.
  • Test any conditioner on a hidden area first, such as the inside of the hem.
  • Apply a small amount with a soft cloth in circular movements, leave it to soak in, then buff off the excess.
  • Avoid household cleaners, baby wipes, alcohol and silicone sprays, which can dry out or discolour leather.
  • Keep the jacket away from radiators and long spells in direct sunlight.

Smooth leather, especially in lighter browns and tans, develops a patina over time. Gentle darkening and softening at the elbows and cuffs is normal and part of the character of a worn jacket.

Caring for suede

Suede is the inner side of the hide, buffed to a soft nap. That texture is what makes it so comfortable, but it also makes it more absorbent than smooth leather. Our guide to suede vs leather jackets explains the differences in more detail.

  • Brush suede regularly with a soft suede brush, working in one direction to lift the nap and remove dust.
  • Use a suede eraser or a clean pencil rubber on small marks, then brush again.
  • Apply a suede protector spray before the first wear, testing it on a hidden area, and reapply each season.
  • Never use creams or oil-based conditioners meant for smooth leather, as they flatten and darken the nap.

Caring for croc- and alligator-embossed leather

Our croc- and alligator-embossed jackets are made from calf leather pressed with the pattern, not from exotic skins, so they are cared for much like smooth leather. The main difference is the grooves, which can collect dust. Wipe along the pattern with a soft cloth or a soft brush rather than across it.

When you condition, use a light cream sparingly and buff thoroughly so nothing is left sitting in the grooves. The pattern is set with heat and pressure, so keep irons and heavy weights away from it and hang the jacket rather than folding it under other things.

If your jacket gets wet

Light rain will not harm a leather jacket. After a heavier soaking, a little care helps it recover:

  • Blot off surface water with a clean towel. Do not rub.
  • Hang it on a shaped hanger at room temperature, away from radiators, hairdryers and direct sun.
  • Let it dry slowly and naturally, which can take a day or two.
  • Once fully dry, apply a little conditioner to smooth leather. For suede, brush it gently to lift the nap again.

Storing your jacket

Store your jacket on a wide hanger in a cool, dry, dark place with some space around it. Use a breathable cotton cover rather than plastic, which traps moisture. Empty the pockets and close the zips so the front hangs straight.

Before putting a jacket away for the summer, clean and condition it, then check on it every couple of months. Avoid damp lofts, garages and basements, where leather can pick up mould.

Stains, scuffs and creases

  • Spills: blot straight away with a dry cloth. Do not scrub, and do not use hot water.
  • Grease on suede: cover the mark with cornflour or talc, leave it overnight, then brush it away.
  • Light scuffs on smooth leather: these often buff out with a soft cloth and a little conditioner.
  • Creases: hang the jacket and most creases drop out with wear and body warmth. For stubborn ones, hang it in a steamy bathroom for a short time (well away from the water), then smooth the leather by hand.

When to see a specialist

Ink, red wine, deep oil stains, mould, tears, broken zips and worn linings are best left to a professional leather cleaner or repairer, as home remedies can make them worse. We don’t offer a repair service ourselves, so for these jobs we recommend a specialist leather repairer near you. And if you are looking for your next piece, browse our leather jackets.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean a suede jacket?
Brush it with a soft suede brush in one direction to lift dust and refresh the nap. Use a suede eraser on small marks, and take deep or oily stains to a specialist cleaner.
How often should I condition a leather jacket?
Every six to twelve months is enough for most jackets, or sooner if the leather looks dry or feels stiff. Do not condition suede with leather creams.
Can a leather jacket go in the washing machine?
No. Washing machines and tumble dryers can shrink, stiffen and crack leather and suede. Spot clean at home and use a professional leather cleaner for anything more.
How do I get creases out of leather?
Hang the jacket on a shaped hanger and most creases drop out with time and wear. For stubborn creases, hang it in a steamy bathroom briefly, then smooth by hand. Never iron leather directly.
Will rain ruin suede?
A short shower will not ruin it, especially if you use a protector spray. Blot it dry, let it dry naturally away from heat, then brush to lift the nap. Avoid wearing suede in heavy rain.
How do I store a leather jacket over summer?
Clean and condition it, then hang it on a wide hanger in a breathable cotton cover in a cool, dry, dark place. Avoid plastic covers and damp spaces, and check it every couple of months.
Can you iron suede?
We don’t recommend it. Direct heat can flatten and scorch the soft nap and leave shiny marks that won’t brush out. To lose creases, hang the jacket on a wide hanger and let them drop out, or hang it in a steamy bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes. Let it dry fully, then brush the nap in one direction with a suede brush. If you must use an iron, set it to the lowest heat with no steam, work on the inside through a dry cotton cloth, and keep the iron moving.
How do I condition suede?
Don't use creams, oils or wax conditioners made for smooth leather. They flatten and darken the nap. Suede is kept in condition by brushing and protecting it instead: brush it regularly with a soft suede brush in one direction, lift small marks with a suede eraser, and apply a suede protector spray before the first wear, testing it on a hidden area first. Reapply the spray each season.