For more than 100 years, the design of motorcycle jackets has been changing and improving. From simple cowhide leathers to synthetic materials like nylon or polyester-based blends, today’s designs are much lighter and stronger. But what happens when your old jacket gets dirty with road grime and you can’t afford (or don’t want) to get it cleaned professionally? You might be tempted to just throw away your beloved jacket and buy something new. Not so fast! There is an alternative that may save not only your favorite jacket but also its original appearance for generations to come. It’s called leather cleaning products made by leather manufacturers specifically designed to clean upholstery, automotive interiors, and other surfaces containing organic dirt, grease, tar, paint, etc., without damaging them in any way. The best part is they work on all types of leather — from animal skins to vegan faux leather.
The most important thing about cleaning leather is not how well it cleans itself; rather, it should restore its natural suppleness, softness, flexibility, smooth surface texture, and colorfastness after being contaminated. This means that if you’re going to use these cleaners yourself, you have to make sure to follow the proper procedures outlined below. Otherwise, you could end up destroying the quality of your leather item instead of making it look better. Here are some tips for washing and caring for your leather items using home remedies:
First off, never try to clean your leather item at home unless absolutely necessary. If you do decide to give this task a go, take extra care to follow instructions carefully. And remember, always test the water temperature before applying cleaner to avoid burning your leather. Also, keep in mind that different kinds of leather react differently to solvents and chemicals. For example, while suede requires mild detergents and finishes, heavy duty saddle soap works great on hide type leathers. Similarly, while nubuck does require tough substances such as benzene, chloroform, carbon disulfide, etc., vegetable oils will usually provide sufficient protection against stains. Therefore, it is imperative that you consult manufacturer guidelines specific to your particular product. Finally, since no two pieces of furniture are exactly alike, there is simply no substitute for professional help.
Once you’ve decided to tackle this minor chore yourself, then start out by thoroughly inspecting your piece to determine whether it needs immediate attention, or can wait until later. In case your jacket looks worn down and torn, you need to immediately stop using whatever cleaner you choose because you could cause further damage. However, even though your jacket’s outer covering appears damaged, the inner layer may still be fine and sound enough to last another season. So once again, please refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Then proceed according to either one of three methods described in the next section.
Method 1 – Use A Brush & Water Only To Remove Dirt
This method involves brushing off the dust and lose particles to remove as many contaminants as possible without harming the leather material underneath. After rinsing, apply a dry cloth to prevent moisture from seeping into the cracks between the fibers. Simply rub gently with a circular motion to remove stubborn stains. Rinse and wipe dry.
Method 2 – Clean With An All-Purpose Household Detergent
If your jacket seems too delicate to handle manually, i.e., it’s badly stained and/or ripped, then you’ll probably want to consider purchasing specialized leather cleaning solutions. These products contain special ingredients that effectively dissolve various kinds of contaminants including oil, waxes, tar, cosmetics, body fluids, smoke, mud, rust, etc. They feature non-toxic formulas that won’t harm people, pets, plants, or marine life. Plus, unlike ordinary household laundry detergents, which often leave behind oily residues, these cleaners aren’t greasy at all and therefore won’t ruin the finish of your leather. Most importantly, they offer excellent results. Just pour liquid onto a mop rag, scrub away, rinse, and repeat as needed. If you prefer to purchase a separate solution for each kind of stain, check online for reviews and ratings of various brands available in stores.
Finally, if your jacket is heavily contaminated with cigarette smoke, hairspray, motor oil, etc., you must first soak it overnight in warm water mixed with dishwashing liquid. Then brush off excess debris and saturate the entire area evenly with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and distilled water. Next, layout the newspaper over affected areas and allow it to sit for several hours. Once finished, rinse well under running hot water and buff dry. Repeat the process every few days for optimal results.