Cleaning a goat-skin leather jacket?

[Laurus]

So my jacket is absolutely filthy, caked in mud. I'm wondering what the best way to clean it would be?

Thanks for the help lads.

 

[Aloysius]

Brush off the dirt, then wipe it down. Not much to it.

 

[Laurus]

Brush off the dirt, then wipe it down. Not much to it.

Brush it off with what? I'm having a hard time believing anything less than a scouring pad or perhaps steel wool would remove all of the dirt.

I mean usually I use a horse hair brush but that's not going to cut it this time.

 

[robrinay]

If it’s that bad then you’ll have to brush it with a soft wet brush to soften the mud and remove most of it and then wipe off the remaining smears of mud with a damp cloth or kitchen roll - absorbent paper.

 

[Edward]

Caked in mud, I would hose it down, maybe use the showerhead over the bath, and then, as has been said, damp cloths. I have long used a foam product leather leaner (spray on, wife off) on leather boots, works very well to shift grime and dirt after cold water has taken off the worst of it. This approach should work with leather jacket. As ever, with any product test on a small, hidden area of the jacket first.

 

[handymike]

Goat is pretty sturdy stuff. Don’t worry about getting it wet, just use cold water and let it dry in a cool place over a few days.
Some of us throw jackets into the bathtub or even the washing machine. If it’s "caked" in mud, the hose might be the right way to go.

 

[Monitor]

You can safely machine-wash it. Gentle cycle, no heat. Absolutely no detergents. Touch of vinegar to keep the leather soft. Give it a couple of rounds. Try to wear it for a little while a few times as it dries, or at least work the leather with your hands. That's all.

 

[handymike]

Don’t use hot water!

 

[Aloysius]

Goat is pretty sturdy stuff. Don’t worry about getting it wet, just use cold water and let it dry in a cool place over a few days.
Some of us throw jackets into the bathtub or even the washing machine. If it’s caked in mud, the hose might be the right way to go.

The only reason I didn’t mention the machine first is that if it’s really caked he’ll just clog his machine. Definitely second it as an option though!

 

[Monitor]

DO NOT use fast spin cycle, ever! Gentle cycle only.

Just ruined a pair of leather pants this way. These are 1970's Austrian Police issue riding trousers with hide that's 1.3 mm thick so definitely super thick & intended for serious use and look at how the leather ripped at the seam, where the perforations are. Could definitely say something about the whole stitch count business but I won't except only the less, the better. . .

 

[Aloysius]

DO NOT use fast spin cycle, ever! Gentle cycle only.

Just ruined a pair of leather pants this way. These are 1970's Austrian Police issue riding trousers with hide that's 1.3 mm thick so definitely super thick & intended for serious use and look at how the leather ripped at the seam, where the perforations are. Could definitely say something about the whole stitch count business but I won't except only the less, the better. . .

We need a thread called “Monitor Mishaps” including this, the stunning J106 (nicest I’ve ever seen) you sold, and various others. I don’t think anyone has owned as many amazing jackets as you, except perhaps Marc or Mr. Mitchell, but the stories of their losses are amazing.

 

[willyto]

To be honest I don't why you crazy guys put the leather jackets in a washing machine... yeah we have all done that once but never again, don't do that please.

 

[handymike]

I only use the bathtub for leather (and denim).

that sucks @Monitor.

 

[MrProper]

DO NOT use fast spin cycle, ever! Gentle cycle only.

Just ruined a pair of leather pants this way. These are 1970's Austrian Police issue riding trousers with hide that's 1.3 mm thick so definitely super thick & intended for serious use and look at how the leather ripped at the seam, where the perforations are. Could definitely say something about the whole stitch count business but I won't except only the less, the better. . .

Your replacement arrived today. But unfortunately I can not send it until Saturday at the earliest.

 

[Monitor]

We need a thread called “Monitor Mishaps” including this, the stunning J106 (nicest I’ve ever seen) you sold, and various others. I don’t think anyone has owned as many amazing jackets as you, except perhaps Marc or Mr. Mitchell, but the stories of their losses are amazing.

You don't even know half of it. Hell, same could be said about my entire life! XD

But you know what, in all honesty, letting go of the Vanson Cheyenne is my only regret that doesn't seem to fade and I keep reminding myself that the damn jacket didn't even fit me. . .

To be honest I don't why you crazy guys put the leather jackets in a washing machine... yeah we have all done that once but never again, don't do that please.

It's really not a big deal & I've never once had any negative effects on any of the jackets I've machine-washed - On the contrary! - but yeah, I messed up these trousers because I deliberately didn't use slow cycle thus could've easily predicted something like this could have happened.

For instance... Man, wish I had before photos but this Schott trucker was half black, how filthy it was. It had greasy stains, grime all over it, cobwebs in the sleeves & mold. The jacket wasn't even brown! It was beige from dirt and dust.

I immediately threw it into the washing machine & conditioned it by spraying it with Lexol afterwards. Wore the jacket a couple of times as it was drying and look at the result!

 

[Monitor]

Your replacement arrived today. But unfortunately I can not send it until Saturday at the earliest.

Not a problem in the slightest!

 

[Will Zach]

I am with handymike, a bathtub works best for me. I fill it with lukewarm water, add a bit of mild detergent, and gently knead the jacket in the water until all the dirt comes off. Rinse it well, dry it at room temperature lying flat on a table, filled with towels. Takes a few days to dry that way.

 

[roadking04]

I thought I read on Vanson's website somewhere, that when you send them a jacket for reconditioning, the first thing they do is put it in an industrial washing machine. A TRUE motorcycle jacket can handle getting wet and roughed up, if not, it isn't a motorcycle jacket.

Not really sure if fashion or vintage jackets can handle being roughed up in a washing machine or not. as others have said, cold water only.

Goatskin is a tough hide. I'm sure an older mud-caked Langlitz or Aero could handle a washing machine. I think the thread, liner, and zippers become weak points on older jackets, you might want to evaluate and proceed with caution.

All my jackets are used for riding though....

A few pics might help.


Oh, and some of @Hh121 jackets, I would be more worried about the washing machine. lol.

 

[Laurus]

I appreciate all the responses to this thread, really! I think I'll try the bath method first, and then the washing machine if that fails. Honestly though I wasn't sure as I am used to owning lamb/cowhide leather, which afaik, really doesn't like getting wet.

I wasn't aware how sturdy goatskin is, and it's a pleasant surprise I have to say!

I thought I read on Vanson's website somewhere, that when you send them a jacket for reconditioning, the first thing they do is put it in an industrial washing machine. A TRUE motorcycle jacket can handle getting wet and roughed up, if not, it isn't a motorcycle jacket.

Not really sure if fashion or vintage jackets can handle being roughed up in a washing machine or not. as others have said, cold water only.

Goatskin is a tough hide. I'm sure an older mud-caked Langlitz or Aero could handle a washing machine. I think the thread, liner, and zippers become weak points on older jackets, you might want to evaluate and proceed with caution.

All my jackets are used for riding though....

A few pics might help.


Oh, and some of @Hh121 jackets, I would be more worried about the washing machine. lol.

It's not a riding jacket, but it's not super thin either, something like 1.1mm if I recall correctly. I'd certainly class it as more of a fashion jacket.

Thanks again for all your guys' input!

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Let's see some 'before' photos!

I give stuff that's 'caked' in mud a good brush with like a shoe shine brush (That has not been used with any shoe polish or anything) and then give it a brush with some leather oil stuff and that does it pretty good...I'll generally avoid deep cleaning or anything heavy unless it's absolutely necessary, like if it's mold or mildew, you know? Mud? Just a little wipe down should work, get a towel and stuff...might wet towel it then dry towel it after.

hope it works out!