How To Get Bad Smells Out Of Leather?
Depending on the quality of the leather and the place where you buy it from, the leather contains a specific smell. As it is made of animal skin, it is natural for the leather to stink a little bit when it’s new. There are a number of natural ways to get rid of that unpleasant smell but always make sure to treat your jacket with the right products to make it last a lifetime.
Don't Compromise On The Quality
When buying a leather jacket, make a wise decision and always go for the best quality leather. You may save some bucks with the mediocre leather jacket but it will be a loss in the long run. Do your research, visit the market and see yourself. Faux leather jackets are mostly made of the lowest quality leather or plastic which is the reason for an unpleasant smell that they contain. It may look like real leather but doesn’t contain qualities of the real one.
Always Use A Leather Cleaner
Applying any other detergent on a leather jacket, people make this mistake quite often. This can prove to be disastrous because leather is nothing like any other fabric and requires special treatment. Always use cleaning products that are specifically made for leather to make sure that your jacket lasts a long time, looks as good as new and smells like heaven.
Apply Leather Conditioner
Leather cleaning products are made while keeping the requirements in mind. It is totally natural for the leather to have a slightly unpleasant odour as it is made from animal skin and goes through a tanning process. Applying liquid leather conditioner once in a while can not only help get rid of that smell but will also keep the jacket soft, smooth and moisturized.
Hang It In The Fresh Air
We often put our jackets and coats in plastic bags and store them during the off-season in the closet. This might cause the leather to develop a specific smell which is why, once you take your leather jacket out for the season, give it a while to get some air and the sun because air and sun exposure can naturally make it smell nice and will help get rid of the unpleasant smell. If you’ve been out in the rain and your jacket is wet, make sure to dry it naturally.
Give It Some Time
If you’re a leather enthusiast, you’d know that leather gets better with age. The older the leather jacket, the better texture and smell it has. So don't worry if your brand new jacket has a certain smell, it will go away with time and will actually start to produce a natural fragrance. For that, keep wearing your jacket regularly to help break it in.
Use Baking Soda
You’d be surprised to know how useful baking soda is even outside the kitchen. Any piece of garment including a leather jacket can start to stink if it remains wet for a long time. Sprinkling baking soda can help soak all the unnecessary moisture and neutralizes the bad smell. Let the jacket rest for 30 minutes with a thin layer of baking soda then wipe it off with a dry cloth.
So if you own a leather jacket and can’t figure out where that specific odour is coming, don't worry. It's natural for leather products and easy to get rid of by using the right products and methods.