Leather Parka

how do I go about cleaning an old leather jacket?

It is a genuine leather jacket from the Sixties and it is in good shape with no cracks, but it feels kinda stiff and dry. The zip out liner says dry clean only, and the jacket says something about "leather clean only" but what exactly is that? Anyway I can make it feel more supple plus safely clean it?

Public Comments

1. Leave it out in a light rain,,then clean it with leather cleaner aka saddle soap,,that will make it softer also.
2. use a good saddle soap to clean the leather. A new cleaner called "Leather CPR" is said to work wonders and doesn't leave an oily residue on the leather.
3. mink oil
4. Only certain dry cleaners can do leather. It is a specialty cleaning, and should only be done professionally! Water stains can be permanent if you try it yourself.
5. Look up a dry cleaner that offers leather cleaning. It sounds like a great jacket and you don't want to risk ruining it by trying to do something yourself!!
6. Take it to the drycleaners
7. my gramma (leather stream stress) always told me to use warm soap and water thats it you could use leather softern, cleaner but the cheap way is what i said earlier don't leave it in the rain thats a NONO
8. a clean duster and a pot of vaseline. Test a small area first. Dab a little vaseline on the duster and rub in circular movements then clean off with clean duster to buff. This not only cleans the dirt off but softens the leather beautifully. carol o
9. Your leather needs rehydrating. Clean well with a good water based leather cleaner and keep wiping over with a damp cloth. Use a good water based leather protector. Do not use anything with oils or waxes or silicones as these will clog the surface and damage your leather.