Looked after properly, a leather jacket lasts decades and improves along the way. The advice below covers UK conditions specifically — which mostly means dealing with rain sensibly.
If it gets wet
- Blot the surface with a dry towel. Don’t rub.
- Hang on a broad wooden hanger.
- Dry at room temperature, away from radiators, fires and hairdryers.
- Allow a full day to dry completely.
- Condition once dry.
Never use direct heat. A radiator will cause permanent cracking in a few hours. This is the single most common way leather jackets are ruined.
Conditioning
Twice a year — once before winter, once in spring. Three times if you wear it daily.
Use a conditioner made for garment leather, not boot cream. Apply thinly with a soft cloth, leave fifteen minutes, buff off the excess. Test on a hidden area first. Over-conditioning leaves a tacky surface that attracts dirt.
Cleaning
A barely damp cloth handles everyday dust. For stains, work from the outside of the mark inwards. Avoid household cleaners, alcohol and solvents entirely.
Never machine wash or tumble dry. For a deep clean, use a specialist leather cleaner rather than a standard dry cleaner.
Suede
Apply a suede protector spray before first wear and reapply every few months. Clean with a suede brush, brushing in one direction. Never apply conditioner to suede — it flattens the nap permanently.
Storage
- Broad wooden or padded hanger — never wire
- Breathable cotton garment bag — never plastic
- Cool, dark, dry. Sunlight fades and dries leather.
- Never fold. Creases set permanently.
Quick reference
Do: air dry at room temperature, condition twice yearly, hang on a broad hanger, store in cotton.
Don’t: use direct heat, machine wash, store in plastic, fold, or use boot polish.