How To Remove Vintage Smell From Leather Jacket – 3 Top Secrets
Ever picked up a cool vintage leather jacket, or maybe you’re into that rad 90s vibe? These 90s leather jackets can stick around for ages, but there’s this one hitch, that vintage smell. If you’re wondering how to kick it to the curb, we’ve got some awesome tricks for you.
And guess what? If you’re not up for the challenge, Love2Laundry laundry service is here to save the day! Just shoot them a message, and they’ll work their magic with all the fancy modern stuff to wash your vintage leather jacket.
What are the Major Causes of Vintage Smell?
If you’ve got a soft spot for all things vintage, especially 90s clothes and those classic vintage leather jackets, you’re not alone. But let’s talk about something that might bother you: how to remove vintage smell from leather jacket. Here’s the lowdown:
Why the Smell?
The vintage smell or smelly leather usually sneaks in when your favourite leather bag or jacket is doing its time. Wear it often without a proper wash, and there you have it.
Storage Matters
How and where you store your 90s leather jacket is a big deal. Hang it in the wardrobe? All good. Toss it in a basement-type space? That’s an open invitation for the funky vintage smell.
The Smoker’s Dilemma
Are you a smoker? No judgment, but that cigarette smoke can cling to your jacket, making the vintage smell even more pronounced. If you don’t give it a good wash, you might find yourself shopping for a new one sooner than you think. Explore our “Caring for Vintage Garments” for a detailed disscusion.
Initial Pre Cleaning Steps to Remove Smell from Leather Jacket
Now that you’ve known the major causes of vintage smells, you can avoid them to some extent only; essential cleaning tips for how to remove vintage smell from leather jackets are necessary; below are some useful tips that you can follow:
Gather Supplies
The first thing you must do is to gather supplies for how to remove the vintage smell from the leather jacket. Even if you’re short on one item, get it first, or else you won’t be able to do a perfect wash.
Below are the supplies mentioned which are necessary to wash your vintage leather jacket to remove smell from the jacket:
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Leather Conditioner
- Spray Bottle
- Water
Dust Off the Surface
The first and foremost step is to dust off the extra dust from the leather jacket. You can use a soft brush or a microfiber cloth to clean it up. Well, this step is important, especially if you are looking to remove the smell from a leather jacket.
This step is the easiest and most effective strategy for removing the vintage smell from leather jackets.
Methods to Remove Smell from Vintage Leather Jacket
Every journey needs a roadmap, and the quest to rid your leather jacket of that vintage smell (how to remove vintage smell from leather jacket) is no different. So, no more waiting around; let’s find out the various methods that can work wonders for giving your leather jackets a fresh lease on life.
Baking Soda Method
The first method that comes in the list of how to remove vintage smell from leather jackets is to go for baking soda. However, if you’re new to this process, then below is the complete method that you can follow:
- Start by preparing your jacket for the wash, which means removing all the excess dirt from the surface.
- Make sure to test the baking soda on a smaller area of the leather to confirm that it won’t damage the fabric, and you’re good to continue.
- Once you’ve tested baking soda, it’s time to prepare the solution. Take a bowl and add baking soda and cornstarch of equal proportions and mix it well.
- Now, put the solution in a spray bottle, start sprinkling it on the entire surface before you wash leather jacket and leave it for an hour or two to remove smell from leather jacket.
- Take a clean, soft brush and start gently brushing it. Make sure you are scrubbing with light hands. This step will remove all the dirt and dust from your 90 leather jacket.
- Take a soft, damp cloth, wipe off the entire jacket, hang your jacket on a clothesline to air dry and repeat the process if necessary.
White Vinegar Method
If you don’t have baking soda at home, then don’t worry; you can follow an alternate method to remove vintage smell from leather jacket with the help of white vinegar. So, let’s take a look at this method to learn how to execute it:
- First, you need to gather all the supplies required for the white vinegar washing method for your vintage leather jacket like white vinegar, distilled water, soft cloth and a spray bottle.
- Make sure to do a patch test first. A patch test is important to see how the material will react with the ingredient.
- Fill your spray bottle by adding white vinegar and distilled water of equal parts and shake it well to dissolve the white vinegar to wash the leather jacket.
- Always wash your ’90s jackets in an open area or one with proper ventilation so the smell of white vinegar goes out.
- Start spraying the white vinegar solution on your jacket and let the solution set for some time.
- Wipe off the solution with a clean towel and rinse it properly to remove all the excess white vinegar.
- Dry your jacket through a natural process and avoid external sources like hair dryers at any cost.
Leather Conditioning
Besides washing your jackets, there’s one more thing you can do to treat a new leather jacket smells bad, and that’s leather conditioning. If you’re thinking it’s a long and confusing process, it’s wrong. Just follow the below-mentioned instructions and you are good to go.
Also, leather conditioning will not only add life to your 90s leather jacket but also remove all the scratches and vintage smells from your leather jacket.
- Begin by wiping off any surface dust or dirt using a soft cloth.
- Select a reputable leather wax or leather conditioner suitable for your 90s jacket type.
- Using a clean, soft cloth, apply a thin and even layer of leather wax to the entire jacket.
- Pay special attention to seams and crevices, ensuring the wax reaches all areas.
- Use circular motions to massage the wax into the leather, promoting absorption.
- Allow the jacket to sit for a few hours or, as per the product instructions, to let the wax penetrate.
- Using a clean, dry cloth, gently buff the leather to remove any excess wax and enhance shine.
- Not only does leather conditioning with wax restore lustre, but it also helps eliminate that unwanted vintage smell, leaving your jacket refreshed.
Additional Tips & Tricks
To keep your leather jackets safe from all types of stains and damages, there are some additional tips you can apply while addressing a new leather jacket smells bad, maintaining the quality, which are:
Sun Exposure
Everyone knows how important sun exposure is when it comes to maintaining leather jackets and removing the smell from leather jackets, too. The reason is that the jackets are specifically manufactured for winter only.
During summer, people put them back in the closet, and once they take them out to wear again, it’s filled with unwanted odours, which is why sunlight is necessary.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a game-changer for banishing smells from leather jackets, bags, and even clothes. However, remember not to apply activated charcoal directly to your leather jacket.
Instead, take a small cloth, place activated charcoal on it, and tuck it into the storage bag where your leather jacket rests. This method works wonders by how to remove vintage smell from leather jacket, leaving your leather jacket as good as new.
Professional Dry Cleaning Services
If you find yourself at a loss, why not consider the option of hiring professional dry cleaning services as a final solution? Rest assured, the results are guaranteed – your jackets will be not only stain-free but also smelling fresh.
Professional service providers utilise modern techniques and materials, ensuring a swift and effective stain-removal process that exceeds expectations and makes your leather jacket smell like a new one.
FAQs
Why does my leather jacket smell bad?
The reason your jacket smells bad depends on several factors, like moisture absorption, lack of ventilation, and even the way you store your jackets, so make sure to look into that. If you’re wondering how to remove vintage smell from leather jacket, there are several effective methods to try.
How to remove the musty smell from leather?
You can remove the musty smell from leather easily, as there are multiple ways to do it. For instance, using baking soda in the washing process, white vinegar solution, and even activated charcoal.
How to preserve a 90s leather jacket?
90s leather jackets require proper washing and care like saving them from direct sunlight, proper storing techniques, and the use of a leather conditioner.
How to freshen up my old leather jacket?
To freshen up old leather jackets, you can use a solution of lemon juice, coffee grounds, and even cedar products to remove all the dust and dirt from your jackets.
Conclusion!
This blog is a savior for all those who have been searching for methods for how to remove vintage smell from leather jacket and even other leather goods too. Searching for solutions can be like navigating a maze, leaving many empty-handed and puzzled by the lack of clear guidance.
But don’t worry; with the help of this blog and the steps mentioned above, you’ll surely learn the effective steps and find better results when smelling leather jackets, clean and safe from all the dust and odours.
Moreover, if you think new leather jackets smells bad, then you can simply wash them again with proper strategies like the one mentioned above to get a perfect result.
