<p>This is one of those questions that someone out there will have the answer to. I have just read a few quick links, but if you have a leather jacket or coat (not suede), do you really need to do anything to care for it? I have read to use a regular coat hanger (not wire), and that leather needs room to breath. Anything else?</p>
<p>In my experience, you want the hanger to be a wide wood one or a padded one. Otherwise, over time, the hanger forms ridges.</p>
<p>I spray all leather with a spray that makes it water and dirt repellent. That includes jackets, dog collars, and shoes. It does seem to make a difference.</p>
<p>I try and wear a silk scarf when I wear a leather jacket too, your neck is just so dirty! ( well my neck anyway)
However, depending on the finish, you can also use a little saddle soap just like you could on some handbags</p>
<p>EK, LOL. Thanks. Dmd, I did not even think about ridges, so thanks.</p>
<p>Carson, the clothes guy on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, suggests warm castor oil for leather jackets.</p>
<p>“Microwave castor oil to just above room temperature and rub it into the leather with a soft cloth, says Carson Kressley, cohost of TV’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and author of Off the Cuff. Let it stand for 30 minutes, then buff. The oil will darken lighter leathers slightly, but it “really restores those emollients,” he says.”</p>
<p>Really good leather that is not suede needs to be treated with a “leather lotion” to keep it from drying out and cracking. This also works as a cleaner. You can get this at Wilson’s Leather or else a Coach outlet. Follow the instructions for letting it stand, then you can apply the stain/water repellant spray.</p>
<p>Applying the lotion should be done seasonally at a minimum, or when the jacket appears dry.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice. I guess there are several ways to care for leather.</p>
<p>One other trick - if you do get a tear in the leather - you can repair it with Elmer’s Glue. Sometimes you can snag a sleeve or a cuff - the glue works pretty well. That’s how they fixed it when I last brought it in for repairs - now I do it myself.</p>
<p>And fine-grit sandpaper works for cleaning suede, if you have areas that dirtier than others. </p>
<p>Every time you take it in for a professional chemical cleaning - you reduce the life of the leather. Best to keep on top of minor stuff yourself.</p>
<p>AnyMom, thanks for those tips too.</p>