How to clean a “leather-look” jacket is easier than you think. The worst thing that you can do is to dump it in your washing machine with a generous amount of harsh detergent. If you are uncertain on how to clean faux leather, please check out this guide on how to properly remove the dirt and stains from a faux leather jacket.
1. Use a soft cloth
A “leather-look” jacket is usually made out of viscose and polyurethane (PU). This type of jacket actually repels dirt and dust but you can help maintain its pristine condition by cleaning and conditioning it from time to time. A baby wipe or a soft sponge can also be used. Before you use any kind of wipe or chemical on your jacket you should test it on an unseen area to make sure it doesn’t damage the finish. Conditioning faux leather is a good idea too, make sure to read the label for compatibility with synthetic leather. Again test it if you aren’t sure.
2. Choose mild soap and not detergent
If you see a stubborn stain, you can dilute a mild pure soap or soap flakes in water. Then, proceed to gently wipe the “leather-look” jacket.
3. Hand-wash with cold water
If you need to wash it inside and out make sure that you hand-wash it with cold water.(also read the label on the inside). Do not soak it so that its durable water repellent (DWR) finish is preserved. DWR is a special coating on your “leather-look” jacket that makes it water resistant. Never twist the jacket while washing because it would cause wrinkles in the leather. Just wash it gently but as fast as you can.
A good way to remove wrinkles is to hang it inside your bathroom while the hot water is running. A hand steamer would work as well but watch the heat. If this does not solve your problem, then consider ironing it, put your jacket on the ironing board first, cover the wrinkled spot with a damp towel, and then proceed to iron the towel.
4. To remove lingering odors
You can try this; put your jacket on a hangar, take a plastic bag large enough to enclose the garment, put about 1/4 cup of fresh coffee grounds in the bottom of it and tie the top of the bag to the hangar just below the hook that you hang it up with. Leave it for a day or so and then check on it, if the odor is still there try leaving it for another day or adding a bit more coffee depending on the strength of the smell.
If you need further assistance on how to clean your jacket, don’t hesitate to a contact a professional cleaner. With these quick tips on how to clean a “leather-look” jacket, you are off to a good start in keeping your garment around for more than one season.