Dry cleaning jackets - yes or no?

• Feb 12, 2016

• #1

dan_t

Practically Family

Messages

950

Location

Sydney, Australia

I'm curious, has anyone had experience with having jackets dry-cleaned?
Are there any strong cases for or against, out there?
Contrary to a lot of people's beliefs, dry cleaning is still a wet process.

I guess I'm looking for guidance as to whether or not wavy zips, shrinkage, damage to the top coat or other issues are common.

I'd like to 'freshen' an older jacket. It isn't in desperate need though, so I'd be just as happy to leave it if there are negatives associated with this.

 

Last edited: Feb 12, 2016

• Feb 12, 2016

• #2

AdeeC

Practically Family

Messages

646

Location

Australia

I have only had an old suede jacket dry cleaned and it came out wonderful. No problems. Got rid of some grubby staining and smells, smoothed out the the wrinkled lining and freshened up the brushed surface.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #3

Cooper A-2

Practically Family

Messages

926

Location

France

Have an original WW2 Irvin, I got from here.
Dry cleaned it, came out like new.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #4

C

Capesofwrath

Practically Family

Messages

780

Location

Somewhere on Earth

dan_t said:

I'm curious, has anyone had experience with having jackets dry-cleaned?
Are there any strong cases for or against, out there?
Contrary to a lot of people's beliefs, dry cleaning is still a wet process.

I guess I'm looking for guidance as to whether or not wavy zips, shrinkage, damage to the top coat or other issues are common.

I'd like to 'freshen' an older jacket. It isn't in desperate need though, so I'd be just as happy to leave it if there are negatives associated with this.

Click to expand...

If it’s done by a company which specialises in leather and suede cleaning it will come back as new. But a run of the mill dry cleaners round the corner might well ruin it.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #5

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,090

Location

UK

I have recently had some vintage USAF nylon jackets dry cleaned with stunning results by a dry cleaners with experience in these textiles; wouldn't hesitate to have my leather & suede treated by the same establishment. Wouldn't have the same confidence though with our local chain branch of dry cleaners.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #6

ButteMT61

Messages

10,181

Location

Pasadena, CA

Try to find someone who specializes in what you're wanting to clean. They will cost more, but they will know what they're doing too. A basic dry cleaner likely has no clue how to handle anything outside of the ordinary stuff.

As @bn1966 said above...

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #7

navetsea

I'll Lock Up

Messages

6,711

Location

East Java

for leather jacket I prefer water over chemical. and I'm afraid they would spray paint your hard earned worn in look back into glossy newness.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #8

Fanch

I'll Lock Up

Messages

4,490

Location

Texas

I'm with Capesofwrath and Butte on this one.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #9

ProteinNerd

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,891

Location

Sydney

Dan, I'd recommend trying a warm water wash at home first. That way you have control over the process and it may end up saving you sending it off and taking a gamble. Is this for your new zip sleeve HWM?

I hand washed my recently acquired preowned cafe racer just in the bath with warm water and a very small amount of detergent, rinsed and with the warm weather we have atm, it dried in no time. Came out great, no more musty/moth balls smell so I didn't need anything harsher.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #10

dan_t

Practically Family

Messages

950

Location

Sydney, Australia

Thanks all (once again),
It is for the zip sleeve PN, hence my reservations.
I am uncomfortable about handing it over to someone who may, or may not know their stuff and could cause irreversible damage to an older item.
Let's not be too precious though, this thing is a beast & I doubt it will wither away just from a clean.

In fact, the jacket is not desperately requiring any major overhaul, it is simply 20 something years old and shows it, mostly in the liner appearance. If at all possible, I'd rather have two decades of someone else's sweat and body oils removed from the liner, that's all.

I think I'll go with your suggestion Protein, that will do the trick I am sure.

 

• Feb 12, 2016

• #11

Fanch

I'll Lock Up

Messages

4,490

Location

Texas

Dan before doing anything, you might consider asking Aero, specifically Denny, for input. I'm still inclined to think a dry cleaner who specializes in fine leather goods might give you the best outcome.

 

• Feb 13, 2016

• #12

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up

Messages

7,562

Location

Australia

ProteinNerd said:

Dan, I'd recommend trying a warm water wash at home first. That way you have control over the process and it may end up saving you sending it off and taking a gamble. Is this for your new zip sleeve HWM?

I hand washed my recently acquired preowned cafe racer just in the bath with warm water and a very small amount of detergent, rinsed and with the warm weather we have atm, it dried in no time. Came out great, no more musty/moth balls smell so I didn't need anything harsher.

Click to expand...

Yep - done this numerous times. Use a decent woolwash it will be more effective on the lining. Don't dry in direct heat, if it dries to fast there is a risk of shrinkage.

 

• Feb 13, 2016

• #13

eugenesque

One of the Regulars

Messages

244

I've only dry cleaned a leather jacket once and it came out looking completely fresh and new. Not exactly the outcome I desired as it got rid of the distressing that took months to acquire. I don't wear my jacket if I know I'm gonna sweat in it. So the usual process of keeping it fresh is to simply spray some fabreeze in the insides.