LEATHER CARE

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR LASTWOLF®

A leather jacket is an investment and one of the best garments  you will own. When you have acquired a leather jacket you will surely wear it for many years and that means that you should be able to take care of it at home in the best possible way.

The first step in caring for your leather jacket is to keep it clean as this will give your Lastwolf® an ideal appearance for many years. 

Knowing how to take care of your leather jacket is easy but before you start cleaning, it is important to know what type of leather you are cleaning. If you use the wrong cleaner, it can do more harm than good, so it is very important to know the material you are cleaning, this will help you take better care of your leather jacket.

Know the types of leathers on your Lastwolf®

SUEDE

Suede is the inner part of the skin and has the appearance of a velvet. Suede can be difficult to care for, and that's because it's made from the soft bottom of split-grain animal fur. It is a material that stains easily, so it is essential to take care of it and keep it clean but also to clean the stains quickly. You can apply the same techniques to your suede jacket as you do to your suede furniture and accessories.

 

NUBUCK

The nubuck looks and feels like suede, but instead of the smooth underside, it uses the upper portion of the leather which is then finely sanded and polished to create a velvety smooth finish. Nubuck care is very similar to suede, although stains can be more difficult to remove.

 

 

NAPPA

Napa is full-grain leather that is not chemically treated. It is incredibly soft, flexible, and smooth. This leather can also be finished to make it smoother and give a matte or semi-gloss finish. This leather is one of the most commonly used materials for leather jackets, and it is the easiest to clean. It can be found in various colors such as black, espresso, gray, or cappuccino

 

 

Before the first use

A little care before wearing your leather jacket for the first time can help protecting it from dirt, grime, and stains. You can treat your leather jacket with a specialized leather protector before using it for the first time, and then repeating it every year will help repel water and protect it against staining. Only use a leather cleaning product that matches your type of leather. If you use a specialized product, read carefully the manufacturer instructions and, as always is recommended, do the previous testing on a non-visible area. 

Once you are wearing your leather jacket, there are also actions you can take to protect the leather from damage.

After each use, hang your jacket protected in a breathable dust cover bag away from excessive heat, direct sunlight, or humidity. Avoid polyethylene bags as leather needs to breathe.

Keeping the pockets empty will prevent the leather from stretching and tearing over time.

Alcohol can dry out and stain leather. Avoid spills of beverages, beer, hairspray, cologne, and perfumes.

• Do not pierce with pins or stick anything to the jacket.

 

How to clean your leather jacket

Leather is not a material you want to play with. Cleaning a leather jacket is a relatively easy thing to do, but doing it wrong can damage the beauty of your leather. The exterior is in plain view, so you want to make sure your jacket always looks flawless and beautiful. If you wear your jacket a lot, then you can create a weekly cleaning schedule, but monthly will suffice for casual wear. 

 

How to clean Suede:

For suede, use only a soft brush to remove the dust. Some light stains can be cleaned with a dry clean, soft brush.  Never use water or soap to clean suede. If stained, take it to professional cleaners.

 

 

How to clean Nappa:

Use a clean, soft dry brush to remove dust from the jacket.

If needed, use a clean, soft sponge slightly moistened with warm soapy water on dirty or stained areas. 

For larger dirt stains, gently rub the sponge dampened with soapy water and rub in gentle circles. Try not to add more water to the jacket than is necessary, as this may do more harm than good. 

Once the stain is removed, wipe the area with a clean, dry, soft cloth to remove excess humidity. Allow the leather to dry the last traces of moisture in a cool, dry place.

If necessary, use a small amount of leather spray, wax, or polish to bring new life to your jacket.

 

 

The key to this cleaning method is not to add too much moisture and not to scrub too hard, remember this is not a long task. Cleaning the outside of the jacket should only take a minute or two and doing it at night is best as you can let it hang and dry overnight

Always keep in mind, if the stain is stubborn or large, it may be necessary to take your jacket in for a professional cleaning.