My jacket is specled with ash from the fires out here, and for some reason the ash doesn't come off easily. Water would work i suppose but is that the best way or is there a better way to go about it?
Anyone know of a good way to clean a leather jacket?
- Thread starter dazco
- Start date
Help Support Triumph Motorcycle Forum:
Saddle soap available at most shoe stores and anywhere that handles leather or horse products (tack shop).
Or you could just use the paste type shoe polish in the correct color and some elbow grease.
Or you could just use the paste type shoe polish in the correct color and some elbow grease.
Isn't there anything like a common houshold product thats usable? Yeah, i'm cheap, but it would also be convenient if i had something that would work or could pick at the market.
Dubbin is cheap but it works great. I would wipe down your jacket with a damp cloth and soap and then when dry give it a good go with the dubbin :y114:
Make a mild solution of warm water and a little dishwashing liquid - use a soft clean sponge to wipe down the jacket but don't let the jacket get wet. Wipe dry with a soft clean cloth and yes, apply some dubbin! I got caught behind an old clonker spewing out black diesel smoke and this worked for me.
I clean horse saddles probably about 50-60 times a year and they are often worth between $2,000 - $8,000.... depending on the saddle.
The only problem about using dish detergent is that it's designed to cut through and remove grease and oil. You want to maintain the natural oil of the leather.
A more safe household product would be Murphy's Oil Soap (used for cleaning woodwork).
A tin of saddle soap is something like $2.00...most hardware stores and some grocery stores have it.
You could even grab a tin of neutral shoe polish for maybe around $3.50, also at many grocery stores.
I've never seen Dubbins sold anywhere in the USA.....not even in my horse tack mailers that I get spammed with constantly.
The only problem about using dish detergent is that it's designed to cut through and remove grease and oil. You want to maintain the natural oil of the leather.
A more safe household product would be Murphy's Oil Soap (used for cleaning woodwork).
A tin of saddle soap is something like $2.00...most hardware stores and some grocery stores have it.
You could even grab a tin of neutral shoe polish for maybe around $3.50, also at many grocery stores.
I've never seen Dubbins sold anywhere in the USA.....not even in my horse tack mailers that I get spammed with constantly.
Wow I thought dubbin would be available in the USA. However to me it sound about the same as what your Saddle soap is :y114:
Well i guess the saddle soap is the way to go. Dirt cheap and available all over.. Thanks all. I once heard that mercedes benz (i think it was mercedes) recommends 50/50 woolite and water to clean thier seats ! I tried it on my honda accord's leather but it seemed too wet and kinda waxy. Plus every time i used it i had this odd urge to yell Baaaaaaaa, Baaaaaaa for hours afterwards. :ya2:
If your grocery store doesn't have saddle soap Daz....they probably DO have Murphy's Oil Soap in the floor cleaning products area.
I can probably find it close to where i work, as there are a bunch of leather shops nearby.
This page i found while looking for SS kind of worries me tho...
http://www.properautocare.com/leatmytofsad.html
http://www.properautocare.com/leatmytofsad.html
This seems like the way to go, and they show pep boys as carrying the ph version. theres one right down the street.
http://www.lexol.com/household.html
http://www.lexol.com/household.html
The finish layer of leather auto seat upholstery is completely different than that of a saddle or leather coat (unless the leather coat has a glossy finish).
Saddle soap isn't the best thing to use and that's why it's better to use a conditioner-cleaner, but it'll get the job done for a one-time use without hurting the leather or discoloring it.
I disagree with them saying you're supposed to work the saddle soap lather into the leather anyhow. That's not the way I use saddle soap. I work up a lather with as little water as possible - just enough to make it lather. I then apply that lather to the SUR
and allow it to stand for a bit. I then wipe it off with a clean, dry terry cloth towel which in-turn gets filthy when it picks up the dirt. I never rub hard enough to penetrate into the leather and avoid wetting the leather.
Basically, water hardens leather and phosphates (soaps) remove the oils. Leather cremes and conditioners restore the oils while cleaning. But you are only looking to do this once without spending a lot of cash. If you were planning on cleaning your jacket over and over, then saddle soap would not be recommended.
Saddle soap isn't the best thing to use and that's why it's better to use a conditioner-cleaner, but it'll get the job done for a one-time use without hurting the leather or discoloring it.
I disagree with them saying you're supposed to work the saddle soap lather into the leather anyhow. That's not the way I use saddle soap. I work up a lather with as little water as possible - just enough to make it lather. I then apply that lather to the SUR
and allow it to stand for a bit. I then wipe it off with a clean, dry terry cloth towel which in-turn gets filthy when it picks up the dirt. I never rub hard enough to penetrate into the leather and avoid wetting the leather.Basically, water hardens leather and phosphates (soaps) remove the oils. Leather cremes and conditioners restore the oils while cleaning. But you are only looking to do this once without spending a lot of cash. If you were planning on cleaning your jacket over and over, then saddle soap would not be recommended.
Lexol is great stuff. Every baseball player breaks in his glove with it.
The ONLY drawback is that it tends to darken the leather. But if your jacket is black, that won't be a problem.
The ONLY drawback is that it tends to darken the leather. But if your jacket is black, that won't be a problem.
Yep, it's black. It's Italian leather and has that sort of glossy look. Not really GLOSSY, but slightly. I guess you'd say satin....in between flat and glossy. Pretty similar actually to the seats in my car. Guess i'll go with the lexol ph. I also have a bottle of lexol conditioner, but it's for cars and i don't know whether that matters. But i used woolite and water as i said earlier to clean the seats and would use the lexol conditioner after. Wonder if i should use it after the ph cleaner.
I would use the conditioner after the cleaner for sure.
And so i shall. Thanks seeker.
Let us know how it turns out
