How to clean leather jacket and pants?

**p.dath** · 7th March 2010, 17:11

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** · 7th March 2010, 19:09

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?** · 7th March 2010, 19:17

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

**Mom** · 7th March 2010, 19:27

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** · 7th March 2010, 19:36

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** · 7th March 2010, 19:41

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 7th March 2010, 19:46

Originally Posted by Mom

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.

Originally Posted by steelestring

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** · 7th March 2010, 19:48

Originally Posted by steelestring

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** · 7th March 2010, 19:49

Originally Posted by scumdog

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

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

**Mom** · 7th March 2010, 19:57

Originally Posted by p.dath

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

**caseye** · 7th March 2010, 20:23

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

**Mom** · 7th March 2010, 20:31

Originally Posted by caseye

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

My Mother swears by the possum fur thang

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

**Pussy** · 7th March 2010, 21:11

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** · 8th March 2010, 07:31

Originally Posted by p.dath

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** · 8th March 2010, 07:35

Originally Posted by 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?

What exactly are you wanting to clean off dude ?