Can you wash a leather jacket?
Short answer
No — never machine-wash or soak a leather jacket unless its label specifically says it is washable. Spot-clean the outside with a barely damp cloth, let it dry on a shaped hanger at room temperature, and take it to a specialist leather cleaner for a deep clean.
Water and detergent strip the oils that keep leather supple.
Why not wash it
Soaking leather draws out its natural oils. As it dries it can shrink, stiffen, crack or lose colour, and the lining can shrink at a different rate and pull the jacket out of shape.
Spot-cleaning the leather
- Wipe it with a soft dry cloth.
- For marks, use a cloth barely dampened with water and a drop of mild soap.
- Wipe clean with a second damp cloth.
- Dry it on a shaped hanger, away from heat, then condition it.
The lining and smells
Spot-clean the lining with a little mild soapy water, keeping the leather dry. Air the jacket outside or in a ventilated room to remove smells; persistent odours are a job for a specialist.
Frequently asked
Can a leather jacket be dry-cleaned?
Only by a specialist leather cleaner. Standard dry-cleaning can damage leather.
How do I clean a suede jacket?
Brush it, lift marks with a suede eraser and send heavy stains to a specialist — never wet-clean it.
By BAGONSA · Updated 29 September 2026