Washing my G-1?

[pjman]

I've read several threads on here about washing leather jackets to help clean and restore them. Would washing and air drying cause a goatskin or cowhide G-1 to shrink to any degree??

 

[handymike]

I would NOT wash Goat!!!!!!

 

[El Marro]

pjman,
I have a vintage L.W. Foster G-1 from the 1950's that I washed with no shrinkage or ill effects afterwards. I washed the jacket in the bathtub in lukewarm water using Woolite Dark detergent. I put the jacket in the dryer on gentle cycle with no heat for about 45 minutes and then let it air dry the rest of the way. Once I felt the jacket was completely dry I applied a coat of Pecards and allowed it soak in for a day or so.
I was very happy with the results, the jacket looks great and I no longer sneeze when I put it on! As long as you stay away from hot water and a hot dryer I think you will be fine.

 

[seres]

From experience, I can say that washing Goat and Horsehide resulted in shrinkage of about 5%. The finish on the Goat was not damaged, but the Horsehide had some finish loss and streaking.

I would advise against washing this jacket. You can spot clean the liner with no damage, and then wipe the exterior with a sponge or towel dampened in a gentle soap (such as saddle soap) / water mix.

 

[ButteMT61]

I did and regretted it. Goat G-1. It did shrink and get stiffer.
Just my 2¢, it always ends in this variety of replies:
Yes
No
You'll have to decide...

 

[pjman]

I did and regretted it. Goat G-1. It did shrink and get stiffer.
Just my 2¢, it always ends in this variety of replies:
Yes
No
You'll have to decide...

Thanks, Butte - you've helped me decide against doing

I would NOT wash Goat!!!!!!

Thanks, Mike - I appreciate the advice.
it.

 

[pjman]

From experience, I can say that washing Goat and Horsehide resulted in shrinkage of about 5%. The finish on the Goat was not damaged, but the Horsehide had some finish loss and streaking.

I would advise against washing this jacket. You can spot clean the liner with no damage, and then wipe the exterior with a sponge or towel dampened in a gentle soap (such as saddle soap) / water mix.

Thanks for your feedback. I think I'll skip the washing machine!

 

[pjman]

pjman,
I have a vintage L.W. Foster G-1 from the 1950's that I washed with no shrinkage or ill effects afterwards. I washed the jacket in the bathtub in lukewarm water using Woolite Dark detergent. I put the jacket in the dryer on gentle cycle with no heat for about 45 minutes and then let it air dry the rest of the way. Once I felt the jacket was completely dry I applied a coat of Pecards and allowed it soak in for a day or so.
I was very happy with the results, the jacket looks great and I no longer sneeze when I put it on! As long as you stay away from hot water and a hot dryer I think you will be fine.

Thanks, for the information, Marro.

 

[El Marro]

You're welcome pjman!
It seems that I am definitely in the minority here, perhaps I got lucky washing my G-1 without it shrinking or stiffening up.
I think seres had a good tip about spot cleaning the liner and the jacket itself without going all in on a full wash.
Good luck whichever way you choose to proceed!

 

[pjman]

You're welcome pjman!
It seems that I am definitely in the minority here, perhaps I got lucky washing my G-1 without it shrinking or stiffening up.
I think seres had a good tip about spot cleaning the liner and the jacket itself without going all in on a full wash.
Good luck whichever way you choose to proceed!

THanks, Marro! The jacket is in pretty good shape for a 1970 issue, so I'll probably just clean the collar with Woolite, the jacket with Lexol and then give it a good coat of Pecard's.

 

[GregGale]

Can you please define "wash"? There are some threads circulating about the positive effect of having a shower in your jacket then wearing it while it dries. Did the same with my HH A-2, and it got more comfortable - although it appears to be a tad stiffer now.

 

[John Lever]

You don't have to put it in a machine to wash it. A gentle soak and hand wash in warm bathwater is an alternative. Allow to drain, blot with towels and then air dry.

 

[galvestonokie]

i have hand-washed several G-1s in lukewarm water with no ill effects. also, these were air dried. i'm not sure about the washing machine and dryer. end result was that the jackets were cleaner and smelled better.

 

[Gamma68]

The distinct scent of any leather jacket is part of its character, in my view. Unless it really stinks like ass, best to just wipe the leather using a mild soap/water mix (I've used liquid Ivory soap). For the collar on my 1968 G-1, I mixed a small amount of Woolite with water in a spray bottle, then sprayed the collar lightly and gently blotted it dry with a clean cotton rag. The mouton collar now smells fresh and the treatment brightened it up considerably.

 

[pjman]

Can you please define "wash"? There are some threads circulating about the positive effect of having a shower in your jacket then wearing it while it dries. Did the same with my HH A-2, and it got more comfortable - although it appears to be a tad stiffer now.

There is a thread on this forum in which someone described in detail how he washes his leather jackets in a front-loading washing machine, the kind without an agitator. He said he does this without damage to the jackets. I would be more worried about shrinkage than damage, but I've decided against cleaning a jacket in this manner.

 

[pjman]

You don't have to put it in a machine to wash it. A gentle soak and hand wash in warm bathwater is an alternative. Allow to drain, blot with towels and then air dry.

This sounds like a less risky alternative - thanks!

 

[Cooper A-2]

You don't have to put it in a machine to wash it. A gentle soak and hand wash in warm bathwater is an alternative. Allow to drain, blot with towels and then air dry.

Agree 100% with John.

 

[So33]

I washed a Brill G-1 from mid 60s that I got for free at a rummage sale
It was spayed by a tom cat pretty pungent
Used the toploader washing machine with whatever soap that was on it
Hung drye and came out fresh and clean with no damage as far as I could see
Not much effort to loose and cool jacket gained

 

[HackerF15E]

I have machine washed several goat and cowhide flight jackets -- cold water with no detergent -- with no ill effects (including shrinkage). In fact, I think it much improved the look and feel of them after the wash.

 

[Fanch]

Have you considered a TRUSTED leather care expert to have it dry cleaned. The problem with your washing the G-1 is that an adverse event once done cannot be undone.