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A white leather jacket can be intimidating to clean. Sure, the jacket may be full of dirt or scuff marks, but you don’t want to permanently discolor the leather finish by using the wrong cleaners or conditioners. Fortunately, white leather can actually be quite easy to clean using a gentle touch along with the right products.
Steps
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Use baby shampoo or a pH neutral soap. It’s important to use a gentle cleanser on a white leather jacket, because you don’t want to damage the finish. Find baby shampoo, pet shampoo or any other gentle cleanser that’s pH balanced to wipe the surface down with. [1] X Research source -
Test your cleanser of choice. Before you wipe white leather down all over with what you think is a gentle cleanser, test it first. Dampen a washcloth or sponge with water and cleanser, and rub it on the inside of one of the cuffs. After the area dries, check to make sure the soap did not discolor the leather.- If the soapy water doesn’t absorb, but beads up quickly, the leather is protected well and you can proceed to clean it.
- If the water absorbs into the leather readily, be careful. You may want to spot clean your white leather instead.
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Rub a damp microfiber cloth over the surface. You’d be amazed how well a little soap and water can clean up your white leather jacket. Fill a small bowl with water, squirt a teaspoon of gentle cleanser, and dip a microfiber or soft wash cloth in it. Wring out the cloth so that it’s just damp. Rub the cloth all over the leather surface in small, gentle, circular motions. [2] X Expert Source Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.- Make sure you don’t drench the leather. Use just enough water to clean off dirt marks.
- Make sure you use a densely woven washcloth, like microfiber. Paper towels will not hold up to the friction of rubbing.
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Dry and hang the jacket up. Wipe as much water off the leather as you can with a dry, clean cloth. Then, let it air dry by hanging it on a clothes hanger in a well ventilated area for several hours. [3] X Expert Source Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
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Use a Magic Eraser on scuff marks. Dampen a Magic Eraser and lightly rub any stubborn scuff marks on the white leather. Preserve the finish by not rubbing too hard.
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Sprinkle talcum powder on grease stains. If your white leather jacket has collected grease or oil stains, sprinkle talcum powder on them and leave it overnight. The powder will absorb the oil. [4] X Research source
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Remove ink stains with alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol will take care of ink stains on white leather. The key is to use a white washcloth or cotton, because alcohol will cause colored fabric to bleed. Dip a corner of a white rag into alcohol and gently rub any ink stains using small circular motions.
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Remove water-based stains with cream of tartar and lemon. Any stains from things like ketchup, coffee or juice can be treated with a mixture of cream of tartar and lemon juice. Use equal parts of both, rub it on the stain, and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wipe the mixture off with a water dampened washcloth.
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Clean mildewed leather with white vinegar. If your white leather jacket needs to be deodorized or has mildew damage, mix a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water. Make sure you do a spot test, before you wipe the leather down with a dampened washcloth. [5] X Research source -
Clean heavily soiled leather with baking soda and water. Mix together one part baking soda to three parts water to clean extra dirty white leather. Dip a washcloth into the mixture and gently rub it on the leather. Wipe all the baking soda solution off with a clean, water dampened cloth.
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Use denatured alcohol. To restore brilliance to your white leather jacket, wipe it down with denatured alcohol, otherwise called methylated spirits. You can typically find this high proof, undrinkable alcohol in hardware stores. There’s no need to wait for your jacket to air dry, because the alcohol quickly evaporates. [6] X Research source -
Condition your leather to protect it. Make sure you condition your white leather jacket after you thoroughly clean it, because you’ll want it to stay soft. The conditioner will also help repel any future stains. Find a conditioner made just for leather and spot test it first. Don’t use olive oil or linseed oil on white leather.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I use vinegar to clean up a stain on a leather jacket?Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.No. Vinegar may actually cause a stain to deepen and become more noticeable. You're much better off using warm water mixed with a few drops of dish soap. Dip a microfiber cloth in the cleaning solution and wipe the stain away.
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Tips
- Store your leather away from heat vents to prevent it from drying out.Thanks
- Clean your leather jacket about once a year. Over-cleaning can wear it out.Thanks
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Warnings
- Never leave your white leather jacket on the floor or store it in tight spaces.Thanks
- Stay away from saddle soap, because it can darken and wear out leather.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.worldofleathers.com/leather-care/essential-tips-for-cleaning-leather-coats/
- ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.worldofleathers.com/leather-care/essential-tips-for-cleaning-leather-coats/
- ↑ http://www.leatherhoney.com/caring-for-white-leather/
- ↑ http://84thand3rd.com/2015/06/05/how-to-clean-restore-a-white-leather-handbag/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To do a basic cleaning of a white leather jacket, mix baby or pet shampoo with some water, dampen a microfiber cloth, and gently rub the leather in small, circular motions. When you’re done, allow the jacket to air dry. For heavily soiled items, mix 1 part baking soda to 3 parts water, rub the mixture in gently, and wipe the jacket down with plain water to finish. For tips on how to clean ink and mildew off your white leather, keep reading!
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"I wore my new white leather for the first time since buying it and while I was in the subway, I got splashed with a grape drink, that I didn't notice until later. I used rubbing alchohol to remove it and now it is like it was never there. Thanks wikiHow!"
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