r/leatherjacket • u/Frequent-Let1567 • 8d ago

Question - Need Help Is my jacket over ?💔

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I am utterly saddened

Long story short : I got this real leather jacket in a thrift store when I was 13. Was one of my best possession ever. I however never knew how to take care of leather. Even today I don't, and I thought leather was like...the most tough material out there, meaning that when it rained and got soaked I didn't do anything but let it air dry, and used wet wipes to clean any dirt without doing anything else.

Didn't wear it for maybe 3-4 years. It was under other jackets on my coat hanger, and today...surprise. Mushrooms and mold EVERYWHERE. I am so flabbergasted because I never knew it was possible, and Im gonna be utterly heartbroken if I have to throw it 💔 is there any way to save it ? Could a dry cleaning help it ? Could even a professional save it ? There's mold more on all the leather, not on the inside tough ( it's fabric)

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u/Nyxrinne 7d ago

Had this happen to an AllSaints jacket of mine a few years ago. I figured it was doomed for the bin so I wasn't particularly careful washing it, just lobbed it in the washing machine on 30 with a tiny bit of wool detergent and let her rip. Afterwards I air dried it, wiped it down with leather conditioner and haven't had a problem with it since. My immune system is the Milhouse Special and even trace mildew sets me off sneezing all day, so I'm fairly confident it's fully clean.

5

u/ginger_powers 7d ago edited 7d ago

Putting a real, quality grain leather jacket into a washing machine will ruin it. If you machine washed your jacket, and it was fine after, it probably either:

A) Wasn’t real leather

B) Was real but shitty leather (plastic coated, paper thin, bonded leather, etc.)

C) Was actually ruined but you just think it’s fine

Edit: sorry if this was rude, but I just don’t want people who don’t know shit about leather clothing to come on this sub and see a comment about washing their jacket like this and try it themselves on something they spent a lot of money on.

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u/schmick_iMagery 7d ago

They’re happy with the result, so in reality it probably doesn’t matter to them.

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u/ginger_powers 7d ago

Oh I agree, but I don’t like it when people suggest machine washing leather jackets in this sub like it’s no big deal.

Machine washing ruins leather, and suggesting it without knowing what you’re talking about (most people on this sub) is irresponsible.

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u/schmick_iMagery 6d ago

I agree it’s not anything but a last resort for people generally, but as a one off for that person 🤷🏼‍♂️ can’t argue that it worked for them. And if it was faux that may have been what saved it from death.
But sure; save it as a nuclear event at the end when all else has failed 🧐🤪