Jacket Cleaning & Care Guide

Looking after your jacket properly helps it keep its shape, color and finish for years. Below you will find care tips for each material we use. Always test any cleaner on a small hidden spot first, such as the inside hem. If your jacket has patches, embroidery, padding or a lining, spot cleaning or professional dry cleaning is the safest choice.

Jump to your material:

Genuine Leather |
Sheepskin |
Suede |
Cotton & Leather |
Wool & Leather |
Faux Leather |
PVC |
Faux Fur |
Wool |
Corduroy |
Waxed Cotton |
Cotton |
Denim |
Satin |
Nylon |
Parachute |
Polyester |
Fleece |

Before You Start: The Basics

• Test any cleaner on a small hidden spot before using it on the whole jacket.
• Never use bleach, stain removers or strong solvents.
• Keep your jacket away from direct heat, such as radiators, heaters and hot car interiors.
• Empty the pockets after wearing, and avoid overloading them.
• Keep perfume, hairspray and sanitizer from touching the jacket directly.
• Store it on a wide, sturdy hanger in a cool, dry, ventilated place, inside a breathable cotton garment bag. Avoid plastic bags for long-term storage.
• For heavy stains or special pieces, a professional cleaner is the safest choice.

Leather Jackets

Genuine Leather

• Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing to remove dust. For marks, use a slightly damp cloth.
• Apply a leather conditioner every 3 to 6 months, depending on how often you wear it, so the leather stays soft and does not dry out.
• If it gets wet, blot it gently and let it dry naturally, away from heat.
• Do not machine wash, soak or iron leather.
• Take it to a professional leather cleaner every year or two, or for tough stains.

Sheepskin Leather

• Sheepskin is soft and delicate, so handle it gently. Wipe with a soft dry cloth.
• Use a conditioner sparingly, and only one made for soft leather.
• Keep it away from water. If it gets damp, blot it and air dry it at room temperature.
• For deep cleaning, use a professional leather or shearling cleaner.

Suede Leather

• Brush gently in one direction with a suede brush to lift dust and restore the soft texture of the leather.
• Rub minor scuffs or dry marks gently with a suede eraser, without pressing too hard.
• Spray with a suede protector before first wear, and reapply it from time to time to guard against spills and light rain.
• Keep it away from water. If it gets wet, air dry it on a hanger away from direct heat, then brush it to restore the softness.
• Never spot clean suede with water, as it leaves permanent water rings.
• Never use leather conditioners, oils, polishes or creams on suede, as they stain and darken the material.
• Blot spills right away with a clean, dry cloth without rubbing. Take tough or oily stains to a professional suede and leather specialist.

Mixed Material Jackets

Cotton & Leather

• Treat each part on its own: wipe the leather parts with a soft cloth and a little leather conditioner, and spot clean the cotton with a damp cloth and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash the jacket, as the leather can stiffen and colors can bleed.
• Air dry away from heat.

Wool & Leather

• Brush the wool softly after wearing, and wipe the leather parts with a soft cloth.
• Spot clean small marks only. For a full clean, go to a professional dry cleaner and tell them the jacket has leather parts.
• Condition the leather parts occasionally.
• Store it on a wide hanger so the shoulders keep their shape.

Faux Leather & Vegan Materials

Faux Leather

• Wipe gently with a soft microfiber cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a drop of mild liquid soap.
• Dry it right away with a clean towel, and never let water sit on the surface.
• Avoid alcohol, bleach, solvents, oils and genuine leather conditioners, as they break down the coating and cause peeling.
• Do not iron or use high heat, as the surface can melt, bubble, crack or warp.
• To remove deep creases, hang the jacket in a steamy bathroom, or use a garment steamer on a low setting from at least 6 inches away.
• Store it hanging loosely on a wide hanger in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Avoid folding it tightly for long periods, to prevent permanent creases or cracks.

PVC

• Wipe gently with a soft, damp cloth and a little mild liquid soap. PVC is water resistant and dries quickly.
• Avoid hot water, hot irons and dryers, as heat can distort or melt the material.
• Keep it away from sharp objects, rough surfaces and abrasive sponges that can scratch or tear the coating.
• Do not use bleach, alcohol, acetone or strong solvents, as they cause discoloration.
• Hang it to air dry, and store it hanging loosely in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid folding it tightly for long periods, to prevent permanent creases and white stress marks.

Faux Fur

• Shake it out and comb it gently with a wide-tooth comb to keep the fibers fluffy.
• Spot clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap. Do not machine wash.
• Air dry away from heat, because heat can damage the fibers.
• Do not iron faux fur. For a full clean, use a professional cleaner.

Wool & Heavier Fabrics

Wool

• Brush gently with a soft clothes brush after each wear to remove dust, lint and surface dirt.
• Air the jacket out in a well-ventilated room between wears to keep it fresh, instead of cleaning it often.
• Blot spills right away with a clean, dry cloth. Do not rub, as it pushes the stain deeper into the fibers.
• Take it to a professional dry cleaner for deep cleaning, ideally once at the end of the season before storing it.
• Do not wash wool at home, and keep it away from hot water, as it will shrink.
• To remove wrinkles, use a garment steamer, or iron on a low wool setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the jacket.
• Store it on a thick, padded or wide wooden hanger to keep the shoulder shape.
• For long-term storage, use a breathable garment bag, not plastic, with cedar blocks or lavender sachets to keep moths away.

Corduroy Fabric

• Spot clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap.
• If the jacket is plain, with no patches, embroidery, padding or lining, you can machine wash it inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle. Otherwise, take it to a professional dry cleaner.
• Air dry, and brush gently along the ridges to refresh the texture.
• If ironing is needed, iron inside out on a low setting.

Waxed Cotton

• Do not machine wash or dry clean waxed cotton.
• Brush off dry mud or dirt gently with a soft brush before cleaning.
• Wipe with a cold, damp cloth for regular cleaning.
• Never use hot water, soap or detergent, as they strip away the protective wax coating.
• Dry it naturally on a hanger, far from radiators, heaters or open flames.
• Do not iron waxed cotton under any circumstances.
• Re-wax it once a year, or when water stops beading and starts soaking into the cloth.
• Use a proper wax dressing and melt it evenly into the fabric with a hair dryer on a low or warm setting.

Everyday Fabrics

Cotton

• Spot clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap first.
• If the jacket is plain, with no patches, embroidery, padding or lining, you can machine wash it inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle. Otherwise, take it to a professional dry cleaner.
• Hot water and hot dryers can shrink cotton, so air dry away from direct heat.
• Iron on a medium setting if needed.

Denim Fabric

• Denim does not need frequent washing. Spot clean when possible.
• If the jacket is plain, with no patches, embroidery or lining, you can wash it inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, separately from other clothes, as dark denim can bleed color. Otherwise, take it to a professional dry cleaner.
• Air dry and iron inside out if needed.

Satin

• Satin is delicate. For jackets with embroidery, patchwork or padding, professional dry cleaning is recommended to keep the shine and structure.
• If the jacket is plain, you can hand wash it inside out in cold water with a mild, delicate detergent. Do not scrub or rub the fabric.
• Do not wring or twist satin, as it breaks the fibers and causes permanent wrinkles. Gently press the water out or roll the jacket in a clean towel.
• Air dry on a smooth, padded hanger, away from direct sunlight, which can fade the color and weaken the fabric.
• If you need to iron it, use the lowest heat inside out, with a clean cotton cloth between the iron and the satin.
• Do not spot clean with water on just one area, as satin easily shows water rings. Clean the whole section gently.

Technical & Synthetic Fabrics

Nylon

• Wipe clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap.
• If the jacket is plain, with no patches, embroidery, padding or lining, you can machine wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle. Otherwise, take it to a professional dry cleaner.
• Air dry, as high heat can damage nylon. If you must iron, use low heat through a cloth.

Parachute Fabric

• Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap.
• If the jacket is plain, with no patches, embroidery, padding or lining, you can wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle. Otherwise, take it to a professional dry cleaner.
• Skip fabric softener, as it can reduce the fabric’s water resistance.
• Air dry and keep it away from heat.

Polyester

• Spot clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap.
• If the jacket is plain, with no patches, embroidery, padding or lining, you can machine wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle. Otherwise, take it to a professional dry cleaner.
• Air dry or dry on low heat. Iron on a low setting if needed.

Fleece Fabric

• Spot clean with a damp cloth and a little mild soap.
• If the jacket or hoodie is plain, you can machine wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle. Avoid fabric softener, which makes fleece less soft and warm.
• Air dry or tumble dry on low.
• Do not iron fleece.

Storing Your Jacket

• Keep it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight, moisture and insects.
• Hang it on a wide hanger so the shoulders do not stretch. Heavy jackets, such as wool and leather, should not be folded for long periods.
• If you cannot hang it, lay it flat or roll it loosely, never pressed under heavy items.
• Use a breathable cotton bag rather than plastic.

Need Help With Your Jacket?

If you are not sure how to clean a particular jacket, email us at contact@thejacketscity.com or message us on WhatsApp with the product name, and we will guide you.

This guide gives general care advice. Fabrics, dyes and finishes can react differently, so please test on a small hidden spot first. If you are unsure, contact us before cleaning.