Western wear should be periodically cleaned and maintained to help it last a long tim.

      Leather Western Wear Cleaning

Cleaning and maintaining western leather coats, jackets, leather chaps, leather vests and all leather outerwear is essential to extending the life of some of the most prized possessions.  Proper care begins with the choice of leather as a rugged, durable means of protection against the elements of weather and outdoor conditions.  Leather has long been a part of the western attire, whether its a thick sheepskin coat or leather chaps to guard against brush and briers while riding the trails on a favorite horse.  Cowboys have relied on leather apparel to protect them from wind and dust as well as the cold.  Rodeos began in the 1860's and have been very popular as both participant and spectator events.  Rodeo cowboys must wear protective gear to perform at a high level with the protection that leather provides.  Leather the riders an extra layer of protection as they hit the ground and will help.  Ranchers rely on leather coats , jackets and chaps to add comfort as they perform their duties out on the range. 

Leather has also blossomed into a way to dress up.  A night on the town is enhanced when the western leather jacket is worn.  It goes with boots and bluejeans, but can compliment, slacks as well.

Below is a list of simple tips that can help leather garments have a long, supple life.

Your western leather jacket should be treated with moisture protection.  

Oils and water resistant dressings can be applied to western leather apparel and will help extend its life.  Western wear comes in all colors.  Special care should be taken when applying cremes or dressings.  Some of these can stain light colors of leather.  Always test the product in an inconspicuous place before proceeding to the rest of the garment.  Black items should not have this problem.  Care should be taken not to over oil and cause a wax buildup.  Cowboy chaps, boots and vests should be protected in a similar manner and will last for years with proper treatment.  Always to read and follow all instructions when using any 'over the counter' dressing or creme.  When the leather coat or jacket becomes wet, it should be allowed to dry naturally on its own.  Do not apply heat to speed up the drying, though a fan can help.

Clean up beverage and food spills

should be addressed in  a timely manner.  Food and beverage spills are much easier to wash off using a mild soapy solution when they are fresh.  Finished western leather is naturally stain and weather resistant.  Harsh detergents should be avoided.

Dirt and dust will accumulate

and should be wiped off as soon as possible.  Dust will collect on any garment that is worn in the outdoors in a regular manner. Grime and dirt, in some environments can become extremely hard to remove when allowed to remain on the garment for an long period of time.

Salt and Perspiration

should be wiped down periodically.  Climates that have snow use salt to control road conditions.  Salt also exists in coastal climates.  Salt is present in perspiration.  We see a lot of leather vests that have perspiration stains.  Topical applications assist with neutralizing salt on leather, but they are not a substitute for professional leather cleaning.  Periodic 'professional leather cleaning' is recommended for western leather.  Our cleaning process at spotlessleather.com will restore oil levels to western apparel.  This will not only serve to remove dirt and stains, but will help the skin to last longer.

If your leather garments haven't been cleaned in  3 years or more,

they will benefit from 'professional leather cleaning'.  Our process addresses proper oil levels, correct pH levels,dirty , rough areas around zippers and cuffs.  Fringe on these type of leather jackets are cleaned and pressed at no extra charge.   Our goal is to return the jacket as close to new.  Most people get their jackets cleaned after they encounter mildew, extreme wear, intense trail grime, or salt buildup.  Neglect can do more harm to a cowboy leather jacket than anything,

All Hair gels or colognes

should be applied and allowed to dry before a garment is put on.  There is a  high concentration of alcohol in cologne or hair products that can  dry out the skins. 

Getting Caught in the rain

can scare people unfamiliar with leather care.  Simply allow the leather jacket to dry out naturally.  Do not try to speed the process up using a heat source, though a fan may be added to assist air movement.  The hair drier is definitely out.   After garment is dried completely, topical treatment may be necessary.  On suede, a kitchen brush or the green side of the yellow kitchen sponge may be necessary.  Be careful not to chafe material.  A properly oiled garment will repel most moisture.

Lubricate Zippers

will extend the life of the metal zipper parts.  A zipper will rarely wear out.  It may need lubrication from time to time.  At the first sign of sticking, a candle or crayon may be rubbed on the zipper.  If the zipper slide becomes bent or worn, it may be replaced at a much lower cost than full zipper replacement.  Prevention is  important to helping a zipper outlast the leather around it.  Rips and tears should be addressed in a timely fashion before they get bigger.

Avoid Stickers.

The 'Hello my name is...' is a prime example of an adhesive stain.  Most damage occurs when the sticker is removed.  By pulling the sticker off, there is often some of the finish that comes off, too.  It is best to use a mild degrease like a mineral spirits to loosen the glue first.  Plan on re-oiling since the oil levels will be disrupted.

Wear your jacket

often. It is much better for the leather than just leaving it for special occasions.  A leather that moves around will stay softer and last longer than one that sits in the closet.  Always store your leather apparel outside of a plastic bag in a cool dry place.