There is absolutely no substitution for the timeless piece of clothing that is, the classic leather jacket. They are an essential part of your everyday ensemble. I’m sure you can’t imagine going wrong with one of these.

These jackets offer an everlasting style which means that they would pair perfectly well with most of your outfits. With their soft and supple texture and stylish cuts, you can rest assured that you will look amazing no matter what.

However, you can’t wear them all year round. With the changing weather, there are instances where you would have to store your leather jacket. Since they are delicate, they require a little extra care and thought when being stored.

We have got some dos and don’ts of storing your leather jackets be it bomber, aviator or a biker jacket for the summer season.

Do Follow the Care Tag

Most garments you get from the stores, come with a care tag. And jackets are no exceptions. You will find the care tag under the hangtag or on the side hem of your jacket. It will reveal instruction on how to take care of it.

Retailers create these tags in order to let their customers know how to make their clothing last a long time. Different pieces are made with different craftsmanship and use various materials. Therefore, there is a unique way to maintain each of them. You can find the recommended care listed on the tag. Just follow the instructions and you will be all set.

Do Spot Clean

Always clean your leather jacket before putting it away. If you let the stains dry out and go untreated, even if they are just minor spots. They can cause damage to your jacket. Even the smallest of stains can work their way into the deeper layers of the leather, causing them to become even more difficult or at times impossible to remove. This might permanently damage your favorite piece of clothing.

Therefore, it is necessary that you clean your jacket before storing it for a long period of time. Spot cleaning is a simple and very basic process. All you need to do is take a wet cloth and dip it into some shampoo or dish soap. Apply it directly on the stain and rub the stain lightly with the cloth. Do so until the stain clears out. Once that is done, wipe it 2 to 3 times with a clean wet cloth. After removing all the spots and blemishes you can safely store your jacket.

Do Condition Your Jacket

Along with cleaning, conditioning your jacket is also necessary. However, conditioning is not the same as cleaning. There are many condition creams available in the market that are designed to hydrate and provide moisture to the leather. You can apply the conditioning cream to the surface and rub it in. It will make the jacket feel softer and suppler. You can do this before storing it.

Do Empty the Pockets

Make sure to check the pockets of your jacket before keeping it away. At times we can forget the items kept in the pockets that are inside. So, it is a good habit to check before storing. If you find anything then you should take it out.

Do Hang It

You can find various ways to store your jackets but, the best method is to hang them on a clothes hanger. Take a hanger that can bear the weight of the leather. It should support the jacket evenly. If it is a wooden hanger it will be best for storage.

Don’t Keep It Folded

As mentioned before, you should let the leather hang. As it is not a material that can bear to be folded and stuffed inside a closet. This way it can develop creases that might become permanent. You should have space in the closet where your leather jacket can hang properly. Make sure that it is straightened out at all times.

Don’t Store in Direct Sunlight

When choosing an appropriate and spacious place to store, make sure that there is no exposure to direct sunlight there. Even if your wardrobe is indoors, sunlight can fall on it through the curtains. You might be curious as to why exposing the leather to sunlight is such a bad idea?

The answer is that while leather can withstand some sunlight, exposing it for an extended period of time can cause it to dry out. This may aggravate the wear and tear process, and may even crack the leather. To prevent such a thing from happening try to store it in a dry and dark place.

Don’t Put It near Heat

Apart from keeping it away from sunlight, ensure that you don’t store it near other forms of heat outlets. These would be near the heater or in a wardrobe next to the kitchen. Absorbing heat over a long period of time would dry out the leather, and this lack of moisture would cause it to chip and crack.

Don’t Store it Wet

Refrain from storing your jacket when it’s damp or wet. If it is made out of real leather it would retain the moisture. The porous surface allows to absorb and hold water. Storing it in such a condition, with the excess moisture, would cause mildew to develop. Therefore, before storing it, air dry your jacket. You can do so by exposing it to fresh air. Once it is completely dry you can safely store it.

Don’t Store near Air Vents

Another mistake that many of us can make is storing the jacket near an air vent. These vents release conditioned air. It may be warm air during winters and cold air during summers.

The release of either air near your jacket can cause damage to it. If the leather is constantly exposed to fluctuating temperatures, it would start to rapidly wear and tear. To observe caution, try and store it away from any such vents, so that it does not cause any problem.

Don’t Put it in the Washing Machine

Leather is a material that is to be washed with a light hand. Beware, before you throw your jacket in the washing machine. This will not only damage the material it would also cause the color to bleed out. In the fashion industry, machine-washing anything made out of leather is considered a cardinal sin. Therefore, learn how to hand wash your clothing before putting it through a thorough cleaning.