How to clean leather jacket and pants?

[p.dath]

I've been wearing my leathers (jacket and pants) a lot recently, and they are starting to smell a little bit. They get hung up at the end of every day.

What's a safe way to clean them?

I was tossing up soaking them in cold water over night with a couple of teaspoons of baking soda. That's what I do with my leather gloves, and it seems to work ok.

I was also tossing up just hanging them up outside in the fresh air, and letting sunlight work its normal magic.


Your thoughts?

[ttnz]

Same they where starting to stink, did a quick search on the interweb thing and couldnt find any advice so .... took the armor out and turned inside out an jamed them in the washing machine with half a cup of nappisan

once the machine had filled and started the wash cycle it was obvise this wasnt one of my greatest ideas so i turned the machine off and just let them soak for a half hour

heaps of dye came out and then rinsed them in the tub all with cold water i fiqured they didnt fall apart the last time i was riding in the rain so all good ah plus ive seen cows in the rain before and while they dont look to happy

they dont seam to fall apart

they are hanging in the garage now drying, so in short ill let you know how it goes

[BMWST?]

i wouldnt put them in water.they wil take days to dry.I am not sure if dry cleaning is an option?

[Mom]

You. Don't. Wash. Motorcycle. Gear.

Truely, don't do it. Oh, textile gear apparently needs to be washed, the pores clog up with road spoodge otherwise. Use approved detergent though or else you will render it useless.

Zip out/removable liners can be washed as recommended and re-installed otherwise, don't go there.

I have a leather jacket at home, I wear it from time to time. Have owned it for maybe 20 years, never washed it! I have been soaked to the skin wearing it and left it to dry, still works as far as I can tell.

[steelestring]

Hey dude,

I wouldnt in any way soak the leather!!! Bakeing soda?!!! You are not descaleing a dishwasher here dude :) It destroys the oils that keep it conditioned.
Washing machine.......fark that. So the liners are not removeable eh?
Hand wash them with some napisand... I have been scrubbing chef jackets for a long time. Make sure you towel dry them and hang them out of the sun to dry.
Try some disinfectant Fabreeze also... I think detol have it in some diff flavours also. Spray and walk away brother!
Lynx is my staple at the moment... anti hangover in green... matches my bike too... and most of the time I am slightly hung over... so it totally works!

[scumdog]

You. Don't. Wash. Motorcycle. Gear.

Truely, don't do it. Oh, textile gear apparently needs to be washed, the pores clog up with road spoodge otherwise. Use approved detergent though or else you will render it useless.

Zip out/removable liners can be washed as recommended and re-installed otherwise, don't go there.

I have a leather jacket at home, I wear it from time to time. Have owned it for maybe 20 years, never washed it! I have been soaked to the skin wearing it and left it to dry, still works as far as I can tell.

I agree.

I have never washed my leather jacket or trousers since buying them (about 15+ years ago)

They shouldn't get too pongy if you're wearing other stuff under them.

[p.dath]

You. Don't. Wash. Motorcycle. Gear.

I guess I'll try hanging it out in the sun then, and let the ultraviolet light do it's trick.


So the liners are not removeable eh?

I don't use the liners in Summer - too hot. So I have already removed them.

[p.dath]

I wouldnt in any way soak the leather!!! Bakeing soda?!!! You are not descaleing a dishwasher here dude :) It destroys the oils that keep it conditioned.

Water on its own shouldn't damage the leather then? Certainly normal rain doesn't hurt the gear.

[Mom]

They shouldn't get too pongy if you're wearing other stuff under them.

Fanks. You wont get really pongy wearing natural leather buck naked :blip: Though you will be much more comfey if you have another natural fibre layer under it. I must be a real grub, I have NEVER washed any of my gear, ever :dodge:

[Mom]

I don't use the liners in Summer - too hot. So I have already removed them.

Little heads up. I also have a zip out thermal liners in my gear, it is gone in the hottest months. Singlets are fully hot enough under my jacket in summer but...

I wear merino leggings year round under my gear. Wool is magic. It keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Trust me on this, merino longjohns are the shizz! Woolen longjohns are a must wear for me in summer :yes:

[caseye]

Ah ya big softie! A possum/merino mix is even better at doing the cooling and heating thingy.

[Mom]

Ah ya big softie! A possum/merino mix is even better at doing the cooling and heating thingy.

Ok, I will go and search the factory shop for some possum/merino fluffy pants :shit: My Mother swears by the possum fur thang :gob:

I feel a bit dizzy at the thought of actually buying merino/possum fur leggings for me :killingme

[Pussy]

A bit off topic.... but...
My Mum gave me a couple of pairs of my late Dad's socks, I think they are Merino or Merino/possum blend.
They are bloody awesome! Makes the Sidis a whole lot more comfy

[steelestring]

Water on its own shouldn't damage the leather then? Certainly normal rain doesn't hurt the gear.

Yea.. rain does in a way damage the leather in a way. It drys it out, makes it coarse and less malleable. Colour loss and distortion when dried and its not good on the stitching. I use Nicwax leather cleaner and I also have the conditioner/ waterproofing spray. They do an excellent job. Even on the stretchy pannels.

chur

[Quasievil]

I've been wearing my leathers (jacket and pants) a lot recently, and they are starting to smell a little bit. They get hung up at the end of every day.

What's a safe way to clean them?

I was tossing up soaking them in cold water over night with a couple of teaspoons of baking soda. That's what I do with my leather gloves, and it seems to work ok.

I was also tossing up just hanging them up outside in the fresh air, and letting sunlight work its normal magic.


Your thoughts?

What exactly are you wanting to clean off dude ?

[neil_cb125t]

Repco does a high quality Leather cleaner and leather conditioner - PH balanced etc. More for removing marks and dirt from the exterior of your kit.

[Ratti]

if its only perspiration smell you are trying to get rid of, then turn inside out, spray with vodka and hang them up OUT OF THE SUN to dry. Its will be the lining that has absorbed your body oils and is stinking.

I use the vodka to clean my costume belts and bras. I cant wash them in water but clear alcohol works a treat.

Remember its time to treat leather for winter waterproofing BEFORE they get wet.
If you have cordura then you probably need to treat it with stuff from the hunting/camping shop

[p.dath]

What exactly are you wanting to clean off dude ?

Sweat. Probably bacteria. They have started to get a little smelly from daily use in the hot sun.

[Quasievil]

Sweat. Probably bacteria. They have started to get a little smelly from daily use in the hot sun.

Okay, best thing I think is to lay them out inside out (take the armour out first) and get a bucket of warm soapy water and sponge the inside, then do it again with clean warm water(dont over wet it just damp it over)
then once done put in a shady spot and dry, dont put in the sunlight.
Once you have done that you should be sweet.



Oh and detergent, personally I use Laundry liquid

[slofox]

... and they are starting to smell a little bit.

If you stop scaring yourself so much you might have less smelly stuff to clean out...:whistle:

On a more serious note, I have never had to clean gear either. I wear merino underneath (thin in summer, thick in winter) and this seems to stop the leathers develop any effluvia...

[p.dath]

Tried my plan 'A' today. I turned the leathers mostly inside out, and hung them outside in the sun. The ultraviolet light seems to have done the trick, and they smell fine again.

[Okey Dokey]

good to hear. I was just coming on to say the ultraviolet in the sunshine was worth a try! :)

[mazz1972]

Why not consult with a retailer who sells leather gear???

Google turns up this....

http://www.colourlock.co.nz/products/leather-wash/

Leather and Fur Wash Concentrate + Dye Fixative
Hand and washing machine concentrate for leather clothing including full grain leathers, suede, nubuk, fur and textile mix. Comes with dye fixative and full instructions. Now everyone can wash leather clothing in the home washing machine without risk. Retains the softness and shape with no shrinkage or colourloss. Great for leather motorcycle jackets or racing suits.
Used for many years by BMW motorcycles Germany.

One pack is enough to wash 2 leather jackets or 1 motorcycle suit.

'Wash softly with LederFein' Made in Germany. Comes with full instructions.

This product has been tested in NZ and produced amazing results with no problems. Safe and easy to use.

Information on the product @ www.leder-fein.de or for a backup service in NZ www.leathertec.co.nz

There is also a link to a PDF file of very specific washing instructions.

We use the Elephant Preserver shown on the page (round tin) on our boots. We were told never to use dubin or beeswax on leather as it will eventually rot the stitching.

[240]

Tried my plan 'A' today. I turned the leathers mostly inside out, and hung them outside in the sun. The ultraviolet light seems to have done the trick, and they smell fine again.

Thats good mate now grab some bees wax (it comes in a tin, like nugget) then lie it in the sun and rub the wax in it will waterproof it and all good!
That's all I've used for years and years i stay dry in the rain and it keeps the leather supple.

[Hiflyer]

VODKA!?



What a waste.......

[Hiflyer]

Thats good mate now grab some bees wax (it comes in a tin, like nugget) then lie it in the sun and rub the wax in it will waterproof it and all good!
That's all I've used for years and years i stay dry in the rain and it keeps the leather supple.

this may be a stuuuupid question but it isn't a pisstake,

what would black shoe polish do? My polish makes my work shoes go shiny and waterproof and keeps it malleable so its not cracking etc.

would it be bad for leather jackets?

[Coldrider]

I clean my leathers with a mild solution of water & sunlight soap, do not rub excessively or over wet, let dry and rub in bees wax.

[Quasi]

i sponge my leathers off with warm, soapy water. leave to dry in shade. Then apply heaps of Mothers to outside to help keep soft and supple. But steady on brake and throttle as you have a slidey arse for a week or two!!!!

[p.dath]

Thats good mate now grab some bees wax (it comes in a tin, like nugget) then lie it in the sun and rub the wax in it will waterproof it and all good!
That's all I've used for years and years i stay dry in the rain and it keeps the leather supple.

Wouldn't that make them slippery? Wouldn't that make gripping the tank much harder?

[sinned]

For cleaning the outside of leathers - ie removing bugs and dirt use Baby Wipes. Buy them from the supermarket. The stuff in the wipes doesn't hurt baby and will not damage leather.
Then treat the leather with Glibtone liquidleather. Buy online from www.liquidleather.com (http://www.liquidleather.com) and the product will arrive in NZ in about 5 days. This stuff is made for leather and is excellent. It is not beeswax but is the bees knees.

[Coldrider]

Wouldn't that make them slippery? Wouldn't that make gripping the tank much harder?helps you slide across the seat to put your knee down, seriously I have not experienced that slipperiness with bees wax.

[Ratti]

VODKA!?



What a waste.......

YOu dont need a lot. spray it on with one of those squirt bottles. then drink the rest of the bottle to congratulate yourself on ticking a job off the list.

[SMOKEU]

I once ended up vomiting all over my leather gloves (long story). Some of the spew got inside the gloves. A bucket of water and a bit of Napisan® solved the problem.

[Ratti]

gross, hope the lumpy bits came out

[Owl]

For cleaning the outside of leathers - ie removing bugs and dirt use Baby Wipes. Buy them from the supermarket. The stuff in the wipes doesn't hurt baby and will not damage leather.
Then treat the leather with Glibtone liquidleather. Buy online from www.liquidleather.com (http://www.liquidleather.com) and the product will arrive in NZ in about 5 days. This stuff is made for leather and is excellent. It is not beeswax but is the bees knees.

Mint!

Just a note on Baby Wipes. Some of the cheap ones contain alcohol, so look for "alcohol free" wipes, which will be clearly written on the label. The Liquid Leather GT13 really is the bees knees.:yes:

[NZsarge]

Mint!

Just a note on Baby Wipes. Some of the cheap ones contain alcohol, so look for "alcohol free" wipes, which will be clearly written on the label.

+1, Baby wipes clean bugs and general crap off leathers well.

[Toaster]

Mint!

Just a note on Baby Wipes. Some of the cheap ones contain alcohol

I wondered why my 1 year old kept sucking on the damn things!

[Toaster]

+1, Baby wipes clean bugs and general crap off leathers well.

Sure do. Same for visors. Great for quickly removing bug splatter/bird crap off the bike/car if parked up too.

[NZsarge]

Sure do. Same for visors. Great for quickly removing bug splatter/bird crap off the bike/car if parked up too.

Never gave it consideration for removing bird shit but yeah, no reason why not. The non-alcoholic *hic!* wipes are treated with nice conditioners that aren't too bad for the leather as well.

[smoky]

Why not consult with a retailer who sells leather gear?

That's why Quasi answered I guess - he does supply and sell ...... not sure why he suggests don't put them in the sun?


Okay, best thing I think is to lay them out inside out (take the armour out first) and get a bucket of warm soapy water and sponge the inside, then do it again with clean warm water(dont over wet it just damp it over)
then once done put in a shady spot and dry, dont put in the sunlight.
Once you have done that you should be sweet.

Oh and detergent, personally I use Laundry liquid


Personally mine don't get smelly? They get dirty and I clean them with a silicon spray on the outside, and I would think if they were I was not washing myself enough????

My gear lives in the outside garage with the bike, hanging up - so they get plenty of airing time, and I keep a couple of moth-balls inside a pocket and remove them when I put them on - I had a cockroach crawl out up my neck once while riding, don't want that to happen again, and silver fish eat the lining, the moth-balls keep them away (and I like the smell)