Leather jackets aren't just for the winter. They are classic items that show off your style, taste, and even your memories. It's just as important to store your biker jacket, racer jacket, or lambskin jacket correctly during the warmer months as it is to wear it correctly.
If you bought a jacket from NYC Leather Jackets, you should take good care of it so it stays in great shape all year long. This guide will show you the best way to store your leather jacket after winter so that it's ready to wear when the cold weather comes back.
Let's go through it step by step.
Why it's important to store things correctly
Leather comes from nature. That means it changes when it gets hot, wet, light, or even time. If you don't store it properly, it can dry out, lose its shape, fade, crack, or even get moldy. The worst part is that damage like that doesn't show up right away. It builds up slowly while your jacket is in a closet or other place where you don't see it.
If you want your jacket to keep its shape, color, and texture for a long time, you have to store it properly in the off-season. It's an easy habit that keeps your money safe.
Step 1: Find out what kind of leather you have
Not every leather jacket is the same. Some are strong and thick. Some are soft and fragile. Knowing what kind of leather you have will help you decide how to store it.
Lambskin leather is very soft and light. It needs a lot of room to breathe and gentle care.
Full grain leather is thicker and lasts longer. It can handle wear and tear better, but it still needs conditioning.
Never keep suede or nubuck in a damp place because they are more sensitive to moisture.
You can look at our Leather Jacket Care and Maintenance guide if you're not sure what kind of leather you have. It tells you about the different types and how to take care of them.
Step 2: Before you put the jacket away, clean it
Before you put your leather jacket away for the season, make sure to clean it well. If you don't clean up dust, sweat, or even light stains, they can cause damage that lasts a long time.
How to clean it:
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Use a soft cloth to wipe off any dust on the surface.
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Use a cleaner that is safe for leather on any spots or stains. Use small circles to rub in.
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Let the jacket dry on its own. Stay away from heaters and the sun. Don't ever put it away when it's even a little wet.
Please read our blog post on How to Clean Your Leather Jacket for a full list of cleaning steps.
Step 3: Make the leather soft
The next important step after cleaning is to condition your jacket. To stay soft and flexible, leather needs to be wet. The surface gets dry and cracks when it doesn't have it.
Here's what you should do:
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Pick a conditioner that works well with the type of leather you have.
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Use a soft cloth to apply it evenly in circles.
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Let it soak in, then wipe off the rest.
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Before moving the jacket, let it sit for a few hours.
Conditioning is very important if your jacket is made of oil pull-up leather. This leather changes color as it moves and ages, but with the right care, those changes look great. Our Oil Pull-Up Leather Guide has more information.
Step 4: Pick the Best Place to Keep It
You might not think about it, but where you put your leather jacket in the off-season is important.
Do not keep it in:
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Attics or basements
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Places that get direct sunlight
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Close to vents or radiators
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Closets that are too full or too tight
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Bags for clothes made of plastic
Instead, look for a space that is:
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Dry
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Dark
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Good airflow
A closet in the hallway or a spare room wardrobe usually works well. Just make sure it isn't full of other heavy clothes.
Step 5: Put it up the right way
One of the quickest ways to ruin your leather jacket is to fold it. It can leave deep creases that are hard to get rid of, and over time it might even crack the leather.
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To keep the jacket's shape, hang it on a wide, padded hanger.
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Don't use wire hangers. They are too thin and can change the shape of the shoulders.
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If you can, hang it up in a cotton or canvas garment bag. These let the leather breathe and keep dust out.
It's even more important to hang lambskin or racer jackets correctly to keep them fitting well. For more information on how to keep your jacket's shape, check out our Cafe Racer Jacket Guide.
Step 6: Don't make these common storage mistakes
Here are some simple things you might do that could hurt your leather while it's in storage.
| Error | What It Can Do |
|---|---|
| Putting the jacket away folded | Deep folds and cracks in the leather |
| Using plastic covers | Mold, moisture buildup, and a sticky surface |
| Keeping things close to sunlight | Fading, drying, and changing color |
| Hanging out near heaters | Faster drying and cracking |
| Not caring about dirt or stains | Damage to the surface over time |
Step 7: Keep Mold and Bad Smells Away
When leather is stored, mold is one of the worst things that can happen to it. It starts out slowly, especially in humid places, and leaves behind musty smells, stains, and leather that is weaker.
To stop this:
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Don't ever put your jacket away while it's still wet.
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Make sure the storage area is clean and dry.
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Put cedar blocks or silica gel packs in to soak up the water.
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Make sure that air can get into your closet.
If your jacket gets wet or has mold on it, read our article on What Happens to Leather When It Gets Wet. It tells you exactly how to fix water damage.
Last Things to Do Before Storage
Before you put your jacket away for the winter, make sure:
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It's dry and clean.
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Conditioned and flexible
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Hanging from a wide, padded hanger
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Put inside a garment bag that lets air flow through
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Put away in a cool, dark, and dry place
Your jacket is ready to rest until next winter if all of those boxes are checked.
In conclusion
It doesn't take much work to store your leather jacket correctly. You just have to be careful and do it right. Keep it clean, condition it, hang it up properly, and store it in the right place. That's all you need to do to keep your jacket looking great and protect your investment.
So when the weather gets cold again, your jacket will be ready to wear. It will still look and feel as good as the day you bought it.
Look through our collection of leather jackets for women
Want to switch things up this winter? Here are some of our favorite things:
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Leather jackets for women who race
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Studded Leather Jackets for Women
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Lambskin leather jackets for women
With the right care, every jacket will last a long time. Now you know how to store it properly.