To clean a leather jacket, lay it flat or hang it on a wide hanger, wipe off dust, clean the leather with Angelus Easy Cleaner and a microfiber towel one panel at a time, and let it air dry. Then condition the whole jacket with Angelus Leather Balm and protect it with Angelus Water & Stain Repellent. Treat leftover stains with Angelus Spot Remover after a spot test. Never put a leather jacket in the washing machine.
Angelus has been family owned since 1907. Our cleaners and conditioners keep biker jackets, bombers, and leather coats soft for decades, and our leather paints are what artists use to turn them into one-of-a-kind customs.
Quick answer: leather jacket care
- Dust with a dry microfiber towel.
- Clean panel by panel with Easy Cleaner.
- Spot treat with Spot Remover (spot test inside the hem).
- Condition the whole jacket with Leather Balm.
- Protect with Water & Stain Repellent. Never machine wash.
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Real reviews from Angelus customers
4.9 stars from 780+ reviews of Angelus Easy Cleaner
★★★★★
"I start the restoration of my vintage leather goods with Angelus Easy Cleaner it works well in cleaning my leather goods and preparation for restoration."
Anita M. · Verified buyer · Easy Cleaner
★★★★★
"Leather Balm made my leather feel like butter! Not tacky but nice and soft."
Carrie B. · Verified buyer · Leather Balm
★★★★★
"Excellent product for freshening up a pair of boots and leather jackets."
Devon M. · Verified buyer · Mink Oil Aerosol
How to Clean a Leather Jacket, Step by Step
Check the Leather Type
Look at the care label. Most jackets are smooth, finished leather and follow these steps. Suede and nubuck need the suede method, and faux leather gets Easy Cleaner only (both below).
Empty Pockets, Dust, and Spot Test
Empty the pockets and wipe the jacket with a dry microfiber towel, using the soft brush from the Detail Cleaning Brush Set along seams, zippers, and the collar. Test Easy Cleaner inside the hem or under the collar and let it dry.
Clean With Easy Cleaner
Apply a small amount of Angelus Easy Cleaner to a microfiber towel and work it over the leather in small circles, one panel at a time. Focus on the collar, cuffs, and front edges, where skin oils build up. Wipe away lifted dirt with a clean towel.
Pro tip: Clean whole panels instead of spots so the color stays even.
Treat Leftover Stains
For marks still visible after cleaning, spot test Angelus Spot Remover inside the hem, then dab it onto the stain with a cotton swab.
Air Dry
Hang the jacket on a wide, padded hanger in a well-ventilated room, away from heaters and sunlight, until completely dry.
Condition With Leather Balm
Apply a thin layer of Angelus Leather Balm to the whole jacket with a clean cloth, working it into the elbows, shoulders, and creases where leather flexes and dries out first. Let it dry, then buff for a soft, natural sheen.
Protect
Apply 2 to 3 light coats of Angelus Water & Stain Repellent, about 30 minutes apart, and let dry 12 hours before wearing.
How to Remove Stains From a Leather Jacket
| Stain | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Ink | Spot Remover on a cotton swab after a test. Ink guide |
| Collar & cuff darkening | Easy Cleaner first, then Spot Remover on what's left. Oil guide |
| Rain & water spots | Blot, hang to dry, condition. For rings, evenly dampen the whole panel. |
| Food, drink & salt | Blot, Easy Cleaner, Spot Remover for what's left, then condition. |
Every stain type: how to get stains out of leather.
Different Types of Leather Jackets
Biker & motorcycle
Easy Cleaner for road grime, Spot Remover for oil, Leather Balm, and Water & Stain Repellent for rain.
Suede & nubuck
Brush and erase with the Suede Kit, Easy Cleaner on a barely damp brush or Foam-Tex. Revive with Mink Oil Aerosol over the whole jacket, or Suede Renew on one faded spot. No Leather Balm.
Faux leather
Easy Cleaner and a microfiber towel only. No Spot Remover; it can damage the coating.
Painted & custom
Clean gently with Easy Cleaner, no scrubbing on painted areas. Acrylic Finisher over the paint protects the artwork.
How to Fix Common Leather Jacket Problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Dry, stiff, or cracking | Leather Balm, adding a second thin layer to dry areas. Fill existing cracks with Repair Filler, color-match with Leather Paint, and seal the paint with Acrylic Finisher. |
| Faded color | Deglaze, recolor with Leather Dye, buff, then Leather Balm or Lustre Cream. No finisher on dyed leather. Indoors, Low VOC Dye is low odor. |
| Worn spots & scuffs | Deglaze, cover with Angelus Leather Paint, then seal the paint with Acrylic Finisher. |
| Musty smell | Deodorizer inside and along seams; air out 24 hours. |
| Mold | We don't make a remover. Dry it completely and research a method; then Easy Cleaner, Deodorizer, Leather Balm. Mold guide |
Customer tip: redoing a custom jacket
"I was trying to remove some Angelus acrylic finish that I applied to my leather jacket a few years back. It takes the glaze off, but you use a lot. But, it works, and it doesn't appear to harm the original finish of the leather."
Verified buyer · Leather Preparer & Deglazer · Paint removal guide
How to Store a Leather Jacket
- Wide, padded hanger to keep the shoulders from stretching.
- Breathable garment bag, never plastic, which traps moisture.
- Out of sunlight and away from heaters.
- Clean and condition before storing for the season.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Machine washing. Water and agitation shrink, stiffen, and crack leather.
- Soap, detergent, vinegar, or bleach. They strip leather's oils and finish.
- Drying with heat. Hair dryers and radiators crack leather.
- Skipping conditioning. Elbows and shoulders flex constantly; Leather Balm keeps them from cracking.
- Skipping the spot test before Spot Remover.
Leather Jacket Care FAQ
How do you clean a leather jacket at home?
Wipe off dust, clean one panel at a time with Angelus Easy Cleaner, air dry on a padded hanger, condition with Leather Balm, and protect with Water & Stain Repellent.
Can you put a leather jacket in the washing machine?
No. Machine washing shrinks, stiffens, and cracks leather. Hand clean with Easy Cleaner instead.
What is the best conditioner for a leather jacket?
Angelus Leather Balm. It restores natural oils and keeps leather soft without leaving it slick.
How often should you condition a leather jacket?
Every three to six months with regular wear, more often in dry climates, and after every deep clean.
How do you restore a faded leather jacket?
Deglaze, recolor with Angelus Leather Dye, buff, and finish with Leather Balm or Lustre Cream. For worn spots, use Angelus Leather Paint and seal the paint with Acrylic Finisher.
How do you clean a leather coat?
The same way: Easy Cleaner panel by panel, air dry on a wide hanger, then Leather Balm and Water & Stain Repellent.
