Leather jackets were first designed to keep people warm in extremely low temperatures during the early 1900s. Who knew, right? Sometime between the World Wars and today, the leather jacket switched from battle fatigue to babe-about-town staple.
But what if your old faithful jacket is just a little grubbier than you would like? You can’t dress to impress if your leathers are lacklustre. We’ve got the solution though, because here at EGO we know how it feels to own a fave jacket in need of a spruce- up.. We’ve got plenty of ideas on how to clean a leather jacket and we’re here to spread the squeaky-clean word.
Water (not Grease) is the word
It may sound simple but water & soap are your new bffs when thinking about how to clean your leather jacket. Because leather is a soft natural material, heavy chemicals are not going to be needed here. You might channel Mrs Hinch in your kitchen – although, let’s be honest, who does? – but for your fave leather wardrobe staple you just need a nice soft cloth, some lukewarm soapy water and a little bit of patience.
Fill a small bucket with your soapy water and use a soft, clean cloth to gently wash away dirt and grime from your precious piece. Pay most attention to the collars and cuffs because this is where the nasties can hide, and bacteria develop. EEEwwww. Use gentle circular motions to wipe away the dirt – avoid rubbing rigorously or soaking the areas as this may damage your old faithful.
As soon as all the surface dirt has been removed, use a new, clean, and dry cloth to wipe away any excess water. If your jacket still looks a little more Britney than Taylor (Swift, obvs) then, you might use a small amount of leather conditioner or upholstery wax with a soft cloth to buff out the leather.
Can you dry-clean your leather jacket, we hear you ask? Our answer is a resounding ‘no’! Dry cleaning removes the natural oils from leather – remember it’s a natural material – and therefore these oils need to be replaced at the end of the cleaning process. Standard dry cleaning is not an appropriate cleaning method. But, if you’re fixed on paying a professional to take the pain away then you should take your beautiful, much-loved wardrobe friend to a dry cleaner which specialises in the treatment of leather.
Faux is your Friend
If a leather jacket seems just too much like hard work – and we don’t blame you…. ‘hide’ can be hell (!)- then why not think about replacing your less-than-lovely-leather with a gorgeous, yet easier to care for faux leather jacket.
Here at EGO we have an enviable selection of faux leather pieces in all their forms; juicy jackets, sultry skirts, kick-ass trousers and tight little tops. While genuine leather can be tricky to care for faux leather has come a long way in mimicking its look and feel. Faux leather imitates genuine leather, but it absorbs colour better and therefore offers greater fashion potential so can rock that just-off-the-runway look.
We are obsessed with this cute black faux shearling aviator style jacket because aviators are a trend that returns every year as soon as the temperatures drop – they combine a laid-back silhouette with a cosy faux shearling lining. This one is a beauty and looks effortlessly cool when combined with the Palermo faux shearling boot. Add the classic, black faux leather trousers and you have your date night look sorted.
Casual Queen
If a full on faux leather look is just too much then why not opt for faux leather trousers with a more relaxed top? EGO’s range of faux leather trousers is unmatched and they are so flattering offering both stretch and sophistication. The faux leather high waist trousers are a biker girl’s dream and when paired with the relaxed fit zip up italia cropped hoodie you have yourself quite the sultry, paired down combo.
High waisted faux leather trousers are quite a thing for us here at EGO – we like to ensure that a multitude of calorific ‘sins’ can be artfully camouflaged by a cheeky high waisted number when the need arises. We are living for these zip detail motocross faux leather trousers because they check all the style boxes whilst skimming our post-Christmas tummies and flattering our pins with their long, lean bootleg shape. Winner winner, hides-the-chicken dinner!
High-Waisted Ruched Detail Trousers in Stone Faux Leather
Caring for faux leather
As we are big fans of faux leather here at EGO it’s crucial we spill the tea (whoops!) on how to clean it. ! Not only is it soft, stylish, and extremely durable, but with our hints and tips you can help maintain the material’s quality over time.
There are two main things to remember when thinking about how to clean a faux leather jacket; It’s a non-porous surface so most stains will sit on the top AND don’t let it get too dry. If the material is allowed to become over dry then it can crack.
Once again, soapy water is your cheap and cheerful go-to. Reach for a soft bristle brush to scrub your garment and then rinse with cold water. You can be a little tougher in your approach than you might be with real leather because it’s not a natural product – your faux leather pieces can take it!
Also remember to see if your faux leather piece can be popped in the washing machine. Some of them can. Just keep the water temp below 30 degrees and don’t tumble dry. Never tumble dry!
Hang-drying is the way forward for your precious pieces. This is a crucial step because faux leather is made of a synthetic fabric and will shrink and possibly distort unless hung properly. If the weather is up to it (and if it is, then lucky you) then pop your faux leather piece on the line and let her dry. Or, if it’s raining then pop her on a hanger and dry inside. This will ensure that your faux leather friend is kept in the very best of conditions.
Leather & Faux Leather cleaning made easy
At EGO you need never worry about cleaning your precious ‘fits because we have the know-how. Stick with us and before long you’ll be the one in your gal-group handing out the tips. We’ll know you got all the deets here, but your secrets are safe with us.
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