How to Clean a Genuine Leather Coat

by: Oliver Bugarin, Makati City, Philippines

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Though genuine leather coats are a popular outwear option, they are often a garment that causes a great deal of confusion for their owner. Leather coats are functional, stylish, and always a classic choice, but they aren't the easiest item in your wardrobe to care for or clean.

Can you use cleaners on real leather coats? Can you take a leather coat to your neighborhood drycleaner? Can stains on leather coats be removed? These questions often plague the leather coat owner who happens to wear their coat in bad weather, for many seasons, or to a party with a clumsy guest who spills red wine on your coat. There are ways to clean leather, but knowing a few basics about your leather coat helps make sure you don't do more harm than good when you try to clean a spot or stain on your coat.

First, know that many stains on leather coats can be treated with simple soap and water. This works best if your coat is considered "finished" leather, which includes most leather coats sold by retail stores.

To spot clean leather with soap and water, place a small amount of gentile, moisturizing soap such as Dove soap on a damp cloth and bring it to a light lather. Rub the damp cloth on the leather without putting too much water or pressure on your leather coat. Wipe away any lather with a fresh damp cloth, but don't rinse the leather in water. Next, polish the leather with a dry towel, and treat the newly clean leather with a leather coat conditioner after it has air dried completely. One tip to remember when cleaning your leather coat with this method is to always test the cleaning method on a small, hidden patch of leather before proceeding to the whole item, as leather cleaning can sometimes change the color or appearance of your coat. Caution in cleaning is always the key to keeping your leather coat in good condition!

In addition, it is best to avoid products like mink oil, shoe polish, and waxes when cleaning leather coats, as they can leave both a residue on the coat and an odor that you will not be able to get rid of after you have used the product.

For unfinished leather, saddle soap worked into the leather with a damp cloth or sponge works well to clean stains and spots. Wipe away any lather and allow the leather to air dry. Oil leather with a leather preservative after you have finished cleaning and the leather is completely dry.

Some high end dry cleaners also offer custom leather cleaning. It is important to consult with your dry cleaner about what you expect from a leather cleaning, and whether or not the cleaner will guarantee his work. Because leather is often difficult to clean, many professioal cleaners will not guarantee that all spots or stains will be removed from your leather coat, so it is best to discuss expectations before you give your garment to a professional.

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