How To Clean Leather In A Washing Machine | A Drycleaner’s Guide

You should know that you can wash certain types of leather pieces in your washing machine at home!
It's important to keep in mind that leather was created with an enormous amount of water and is far from afraid of it.
I'd recommend pretreating your stains, washing on a cool/warm hand wash or gentle cycle without other garments, and then tumble drying on low for a while and then air drying.
I would not use this process for suede, nubuck, faux leather, or any leather that is combined with another textile (elastic stretchy leather).
For more cleaning tips and tricks throw me a sub! You can also catch me on TikTok and IG @jeeves_ny

[@BigfootJ13]

Also a dry cleaner here, you glossed over the fact that the leather got brighter/changed color. Your tips are only helpful for super dirty or vintage leather, and even then the top layer of material could wear away in the wash

[@BigPlaneTree]

Am I imagining him saying "a bit brighter" after its been washed?

[@vy_you-vy_anybody]

​@@BigPlaneTreeI think Bigfoot meant this: while OP mentioned the lighter color, in their opinion, this should be addressed as an issue with cleaning leather in water rather than a brief side note.

[@mike4402]

@@BigPlaneTree think about it, how could leather get brighter? It's either caked in dirt or its being damaged by the wash.

[@kelammo]

@@mike4402or releasing dye. Which he mentioned.

[@mushy470]

​@@mike4402I think the original commenter is confused. Leather shoes often use coloured leather glossed to change the colour. So if you're for some reason washing leather shoes, the brightening of colour might be undesirable. This just isn't a problem with clothing. The colour is normally from actual leather tanning and not a gloss. Painted leather might need more care though

[@mike4402]

Forgot to mention to only do this with a cotton or polyester liner.

[@closuitm]

rayon or silk would probably be damaged right ?

[@cleanfreaks]

I did, rayon will get screwed up. Thank you mike

[@isabeldelvalle7925]

i have a fur lining and not sure if I can put it in the wash

[@josebri901]

​@@isabeldelvalle7925same

[@businesszeus6864]

​@@isabeldelvalle7925DONT, i put a fake fur jacket i had thrifted in the wash and drier once (had to, we had bedbugs) and it totally ruined it... Looked and felt like a sheeps wool coat 😢

[@SnowPheasant]

Also saddle soap and a wet toothbrush are not only super effective at cleaning but also one of the literal best smells in the universe. Follow up with a little neatsfoot oil.

[@cleanfreaks]

I prefer hand cleaning leather as well

[@lucifermarie457]

How do you clean the lining?

[@Mmaulin12]

@@lucifermarie457I have a steamer… I turn my Schott Perfecto inside out and then steam clean the lining. The dry cleaners wrecked my last leather jacket, so I do this myself.

[@sarahpiper6056]

I wash vintage raw cowhide purses with water and detergent regularly. I wash them in my tub and then stuff them with towels as they dry to give them the right shape. I always apply leather conditioner afterwards. It’s a great way to rehab dirty or water-spotted raw leather bags.

[@prismatism]

I’ve tried my hand at handwashing vintage Coach bags and they all came out dandy

[@ailiyahm.espinosa4281]

As a wardrobe assistant this is super helpful. We have a lot of costumes made of pure leather for fire dancers and we’ve been told that we can NEVER wash them. Would love to know how to clean vinyl leather that doesn’t have to involve the infamous water+vodka mixture because that’s only supposed to eliminate order (which it totally doesn’t do)

[@unknown_10453]

Be careful, someone else came in and said they didn't tell us everything. Lots of leather clothes could get ruined because of this

[@cleanfreaks]

vinyl is just plastic, only thing to do is soapy water (water and a tiny bit of dish soap)

[@m.theresa1385]

Some of that specially made leather costumes/clothing may have glued elements which wouldn’t stand up to water washing or a dryer. Probably best to spot clean.

[@kiarastamford4944]

I do this with my leather pants and jacket. The only difference is that I used petroleum jelly/Vaseline to keep the leather soft and conditioned. I just apply it while the leather is still moist and hang drying, and have yet to have any problems.

[@nextdoornikkixoxo9806]

Good idea ❤

[@semrayildiz6970]

Have you tried using any oil like sunflower and water well coagulated and applied? İ don't like using petroleum.

[@phantomkate6]

@@semrayildiz6970 Risking an eventual rancid smell?

[@Manhandle730]

@@phantomkate6Eeww pants should never have what could be described as a “rancid smell “

[@cleanfreaks]

try a leather conditioner, they're very helpful

[@grovermartin6874]

WOW! Who knew?! Thank you for putting out this information.

[@hollyinthewoods]

I’ve been afraid to wash my leather until today! Thank you ☺️

[@JuliHoffman]

I used to own horses. I washed leather and suede chaps all the time. Just don't put them in the dryer.

[@leeluv96]

I have a jacket, just like that, with a rip in the same spot. I've been to many leather repair shops who all told me the rip can't be repaired. I still have the jacket because I just couldn't believe that. In all these years I never thought to search YT for an answer until this vid. If I can learn about putting leather in the washing machine. I can find a solution to the rip.

[@user-qh9rx5pq7p]

Rips can be repaired for sure! Learn leather sewing techniques such as the baseball stitch

[@leeluv96]

@@user-qh9rx5pq7p thank you, I will.

[@vltraviolence7640]

My jacket has been smelling like dust for 2 years now thanks for this clip

[@dnzozo]

how did it turn out? can you update us? 😊

[@daitran3485]

@@dnzozo i always wash my leather jacket with fabric softner 1 once with cold water light cycle. your jacket will look like brand new the only thing you gonna lose the natural oil shine of the leather not a big deal just put vaseline or leather conditioner.

[@dnzozo]

@@daitran3485 thank you, that helped

[@ihaveanidea6930]

Cool tip, i resell clothing and while i can usually spot treat leather items good enough, sometimes a smell gets into the lining and its super hard to get out. This is going to help me save a lot more leather from the landfill!

[@cleanfreaks]

just keep in mind this can completely ruin your jacket based on how the garment is tanned. test it with water before going full boar in the machine

[@brownhaddl3y]

This man is saving me a ton of money… ❤❤❤

[@SmallstepsBiglife]

Did you add soap to the washing machine? Or did you wash it just with water?

[@winniethemao3429]

You got to apply oil and new layer of finish otherwise the jacket is likely to get dry real quick

[@Tiffany_C_]

Can you give a washer and dryer recommendation? I’ve never seen a washer like yours with the hand washing setting. Is that the same as a gentle cycle?

[@kanishkasinghal5980]

Thanks for such amazing content. Learnt a lot from ur videos! Could you please make a video on Diy automatic machine cleaner tablets or powder. There's so many options available in India but they seem fake.

[@therealshard]

Your machine is very clean!!!

[@CB-ck2cy]

Can you please make a video on how to clean sheepskin fur. Please and thank you very much ❤

[@cmm3699]

Wish I could do this with my favorite leather jackets, but one has suede areas and flexible metal wires in the collar, and it’s ripped in some spots. The other has metal buttons that are quite large, so I’m sure they’d fall off.

[@raraavis7782]

Wow. Cool. I thrift most of my clothes and have kinda avoided leather items because of this issue .

[@mariegro09]

Honestly most things that needs dry cleaning can be washed on a hand wash cycle with the appropriate detergent...

[@MoreannaLeto]

Ruined a lot of clothes by hand washing 😢 some shrunk and some had the color run

[@gentlegallon]

This is incredible! I have a vintage leather jacket that I have never been able to wash before other than spot cleaning.

[@chave_la]

Please, how can I wash my suede jacket in the washing machine?

[@swtgrl2no]

What about leather that got moldy? Sadly all our leather jackets got damaged during hurricane..it was like 2 weeks before I realized water intrusion in closet

[@cleliaoconnell3705]

Wipe off any mold, then clean it with glycerin soap, wait for it to dry. Apply leather cream. Keep it in a place where the air is dry so the mold doesn't come back. If it does, repeat the process. I had a flood that got a ton of my tack moldy and this is how I fixed it. I hope it helps!

[@chelin7023]

You’re the best!

[@devine1230]

Can I use laundry detergent? Mine isn’t stained like yours but it is thrifted and it smells so weird. Thanks 😊

[@jownfrance6557]

Any tips on how to wash denim/jeans?

[@katrinacrisostomo9737]

Did u put a detergent?

[@sawsaw2388]

is there a video on how the tear was fixed

[@catalinagq578]

I got a vintage leather jacket but I can't remove the smell of (old)mold 😅 please help!

[@ReisigSeeds]

So…should you not use saddle soap?

[@bonnaewaldron2727]

You could use Murphy’s oil soap too

[@viviansisk7673]

Could I do this with a suede jacket? Or a leather jacket with sweater sleeves?

[@buster1173]

Yep I did that numerous times the leather jackets they say it's a big no-no but hey it does work like you said cold cycle air dry. I was trying to get some cigarettes smell out of it use jacket you know but I wound up putting in a big garden bag with baking soda 3/4 days smells gone

[@moepixie]

This is great info, how about suede? Thanks

[@cleanfreaks]

please do not do this for suede

[@cathyhall7457]

Can you please tell me can I fix a jacket that I put in the washer that was tore up the sleeves were tore up by my washing machine and it was supposed to be dry clean only and I didn't see that

[@jodygarcia9892]

Id like to see you put it on heavy duty next

[@ChellyBaby81]

Can we add a bit of laundry soap to the wash machine? I got 2 leather coats that needs washing and I heard to washin the machine but no one said about laundry soap.

[@bradycanon]

i did and it was fine

[@janejdough2230]

works on some purses too

[@FlyBoiQ1]

Is there any way to prevent or stop faux leather from peeling and falling apart?

[@msToshKaz]

Nope

[@janemurdock6988]

How are fixing the tear??

[@CortneyLee-jv1ju]

I put leather pant in the dryer AND IDK IF I WAS SUPPOSED TO

[@cesarbugarini499]

How is fur cleaned

[@madzabinga8382]

So, no detergent?

[@sabrinakappler4962]

Suede jackets?

[@TheBlondiesNr1]

What if it says "leather clean only" ????

[@hannahmarshall6095]

What washing machine are you using?

[@imkaitran]

Looks like he’s having a pricey Miele

[@logikgr]

Stay hydrated, my dudes!

[@kathyschultz5994]

What about suede?

[@jisforjae]

it says in the disclaimer at the beginning, that you should NOT do this with suede. it will ruin it.

[@frannyfisher8734]

Stop it. I honestly thought that after30 years of doing laundry there was nothing I didn’t know. But you just washed AND dried a leather jacket

[@elba6811]

😂

[@jakewillams7889]

The reason they say not to wash it is due to the jacket being lined

[@angiemam2350]

It IS true

[@RJones-tn5vg]

Rebellious

[@yoyojoseph]

Water, saddle soap and a brush. Then bick 4. You're welcome

[@knightarmorr]

noooo dont my leather jacket got peeled off in the washing machine 😢

[@FungalFlagellum]

Wow okay, now do suede please

[@newkbox]

Bro has the longest thumb ever

[@lisashannon6619]

Thank it works wooooooo Hooo

[@cookiemonster6401]

Does this apply to suede as well?

[@dumbkitkat]

I don’t think so On the bottom of the screen it says that he would not do this for suede

[@chinchillamdgamer]

@@dumbkitkatyou’re not dumb at all Mr kitkat

[@cleanfreaks]

A REAL SMARTIE IMO

[@erichandyauto]

KZbin search "What happens when you machine wash a suede jacket?"

[@wendyrs1087]

You wouldn't if it was a high quality piece

[@sandstorm8874]

CAN I WASH SUEDE? I have two beloved suede jackets that I'm about to throw away because cats pissed on them 😣 I took them to the dry cleaners but they couldn't remove the stink. I can't wear that... would water and soap ruin them too much? will it take away the smell? does anyone know a solution? 😢

[@erichandyauto]

If I were planning to throw something out, I'd try soaking it with a pet enzyme cleaner with good reviews mentioning cats. KZbin search "What happens when you machine wash a suede jacket?"

[@triplestaff]

Removing actual stains is fine but come on, it's leather, and just like denim it's kinda supposed to show its use. And wouldn't the conditioner mess with the lining?

[@sbean9112]

Oooohhhhh

[@emanuelalanis3187]

"PromoSM" 😩

[@user-hc2yd4vw7t]

You don't have the hands of a drycleaner.

[@theresamoshi509]

Why would I trust you

[@AlexanderMason1]

You obviously have very little understanding for how leather is made. Chrome tanned leather like in this video is made with chromium and other chemical salts. Doesn’t mean you should add it to your jacket. Also being a dry cleaner doesn’t mean you know how to clean leather. I honestly wouldn’t recommend cleaning a high quality leather garment and the washing machine, and this is not coming from a so-called dry cleaner but rather a leatherworker, and maker who also studied chemistry.

[@cleanfreaks]

I have minimal understanding of how leather is made and this is a very inexpensive jacket. I wish you took a kinder approach because I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I would never ever put a high quality leather garment in a machine, they're always done by hand, by me. Goodness you are unkind

[@ivlog3663]

That’s BS, it will destroy the leather long term !

[@cleanfreaks]

source?

[@lessoriginal]

"leather is made with water" It's made with pee.

[@cleanfreaks]

this was definitely not less original

[@lessoriginal]

@@cleanfreaks I did look it up after I had made that comment, because historically soaking in urine was part of the pre-tanning process! So when you said it was made with water I was very curious as to how it is made in the modern day. And modern day tanning is way more boring, cuz it's all chemistry and no pee. Boo. Still, it's funny to be able to say "leather is made with pee"

[@successfullyoutuber3687]

You can do your own brain surgery safely at home with an exacto knife and some duct tape. And you can trust me because I'm a brain surgeon. 🤔

[@cleanfreaks]

laundry isnt brain surgery, at least thats what my mom tells me

[@xpium442]

I have this super rare vintage leather pelle cost and I had to clean it somehow thanks so much🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾