Storing and Protecting Leather Jackets

I have a collection of new leather jackets, some are shearling lined, others are not.

My question is how do I best protect my investment in terms of storing them? I already use wooden hangers with very wide ends so as to not stretch the leather. Should I buy some cedar blocks to put in the closet/hang on the jacket hangers?

These are all new jackets that haven't seen much wear yet, but I do want to protect them.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Hey Dave - nice jumpstart!
The Herc and Rigger are not going to need anything else. That's what I do.
The sheepskins, I might get a container for and store under the bed or something along those lines. I don't like leaving sheep hanging too long. There are many cheap containers to be had. I'd put each one in a clean pillowcase and then the container. Maybe even stick in a dryer sheet or two to keep it smelling good
No conditioners. etc. They're all new. Unless you've done something to dry them out, they're good. I do have a bottle of Lexol that I might spray on a sponge once a year for jackets just as a quick swipe/cleaning. It's relatively light, and doesn't do any harm like a heavy petro-based treatment might on newer hides. I had to fight the temptation to treat the snot out of everything I bought.
Let me know if that helps or if you need anything more.

Scott

Dave your newer jackets shouldn't have an issue. Just make certain the humidity is constant. In other words, using the garage, attic, or basement isn't were you should keep them.
If its a vintage jacket, keep it flat and humidity is even more critical.
With my fleece, I store them flat and under a bed in the summer even though they are newer. The weight of them, regardless of how new will cause stress on the shoulders. Some may consider it overly cautious, but I won't be wearing them for months and want to keep them as new as possible.

Michael

I was just about to post this idea, I have been using it for years with no ill effect. My sheepskins have been hanging like this for around 8 years now with no ill effects. These were new jackets but I also stored an original irvin on a similar covered hanger. The larger sized insulation can even mimic the size of your shoulders so they are stored like you are wearing them.



Here is an Eastman Roughwear B3 on a hanger covered with 40mm insulation foam(Outside diameter) The size is usually taken for the inside tube to be insulated
You buy this from DIY, plumbers merchants or anywhere really that sells central heating. All you need is a hanger.








Storing jackets flat is fine as long as space allows, Gary Eastman sells a set of boxes that stack up but they are a bit expensive. This is a cheap way, give it a try, if you are not keen how much have you wasted? $10 £7 for a pack of 4 mtr?

As to conditioning, not needed on new jackets. I recommend any good leather conditioner from a horse tack shop, ask at your local stables.



I have used this for 30 years with no ill effects. I have used it on numerous original war time A2s and G1s and even shepskins, have 2 tins of this for the price of a Fedora Lounge favourite, Pecards. Pecards is probably fine if that is all you can get or your local stable supplies sell it, the price difference would be minimal.
As for sheepskins, I have applied conditioner every now and then, no more than once a year , then leave it to soak in thoroughly, All these conditioners temporerily darken the leather so try under a pocket flap or back of collar first. If you are not keen then try something else.
There are numerous other leather treatments, another is Hide Food sold by car upholsterers, some even sell under their own brand names. One jacket company sell 'their' conditioner which is actually Connelly Hide Food, as mentioned.
Conditioner from a stable supplies is fine in my book, remember that bridles etc a subjected to extremes in the shape of rain, mud, animal sweat and saliva, most of it lasts for years so must be ok.
John

Thanks all.

ButteMT61 said:

Hey Dave - nice jumpstart!
The Herc and Rigger are not going to need anything else. That's what I do.
The sheepskins, I might get a container for and store under the bed or something along those lines. I don't like leaving sheep hanging too long. There are many cheap containers to be had. I'd put each one in a clean pillowcase and then the container. Maybe even stick in a dryer sheet or two to keep it smelling good
No conditioners. etc. They're all new. Unless you've done something to dry them out, they're good. I do have a bottle of Lexol that I might spray on a sponge once a year for jackets just as a quick swipe/cleaning. It's relatively light, and doesn't do any harm like a heavy petro-based treatment might on newer hides. I had to fight the temptation to treat the snot out of everything I bought.
Let me know if that helps or if you need anything more.

Scott

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Butte:

Since leather needs to breathe are sure about storing in a container? Wouldn't it be better to wrap the jacket in something like a bed sheet, tied off, and then layed flat under a bed in a room that has an even temperature?

dmdmorris said:

Butte:Since leather needs to breathe are sure about storing in a container? Wouldn't it be better to wrap the jacket in something like a bed sheet, tied off, and then layed flat under a bed in a room that has an even temperature?

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Never had problems. If I were storing for years, I guess I'd poke holes in the container like my kid's bug cages when they were little

Where there is wool, there will be moths. So, protect the wool from moth damage. The jackets with no wool don't need any special protection. I like the idea of using the pipe insulation for the shoulders. That is an inexpensive alternative to expensive wide shouldered hangers.

Peacoat said:

Where there is wool, there will be moths. So, protect the wool from moth damage. The jackets with no wool don't need any special protection. I like the idea of using the pipe insulation for the shoulders. That is an inexpensive alternative to expensive wide shouldered hangers.

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Peacoat,

I assume cedar will repel moths?

Yes, as long as it is kept sanded and the cedar smell is relatively fresh.

I got some cedar blocks from the local mill when storing A-2, G-1 and wool coats/sweaters/pants. I've never used it unless there's wool involved.

I treat wool cuffs and waistbands with a cedar spray I bought several years ago and it seems to work great although I didn't treat my school type wool jacket with leather sleeves which wasn't quite a year old, that had the wool cuffs and waistband and collarband and when I took it out of the closet after the summer the moths had gotten to it and I was needless to say, sick.
I also learned not to hang it up in a dark closet with the door closed which I heard that the moths love.

Mike

It is obvious to worry if a person has a leather jacket, because they not only look good but also protect us from chilly and cold weather, but the most important aspect regarding this thing is that these jackets require a lot of care and protection against wrinkles or anything. I do have two leather jackets. Firstly I make very less use of them and secondly if they look dirty and shaggy then I especially ask for a petrol wash in the laundry. really after that they look like just bought.

Hopalong said:

I treat wool cuffs and waistbands with a cedar spray I bought several years ago and it seems to work great although I didn't treat my school type wool jacket with leather sleeves which wasn't quite a year old, that had the wool cuffs and waistband and collarband and when I took it out of the closet after the summer the moths had gotten to it and I was needless to say, sick.
I also learned not to hang it up in a dark closet with the door closed which I heard that the moths love.

Mike

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Mike,

What cedar spray do recommend?

I use a product called Amazon's Cedarwood Oil Closet Enhanser (made from pure cedarwood and cedarleaf oils) and it's made in Miami Shores, Florida but I don't know if their even still in business or not because I bought it quite a few years ago. I used this cedar spray on the wool cuffs and waistbands on my WW II flight jackets and WW II pennants and WW II AAF officer and enlisted wool service hats and other WW II AAF wool items.
I just checked on Google and it looks like their still in business and there are other companies selling the same type of product too.

Mike

What petrol wash do you recommend? I tried unleaded but the dye came off.

crispinross said:

It is obvious to worry if a person has a leather jacket, because they not only look good but also protect us from chilly and cold weather, but the most important aspect regarding this thing is that these jackets require a lot of care and protection against wrinkles or anything. I do have two leather jackets. Firstly I make very less use of them and secondly if they look dirty and shaggy then I especially ask for a petrol wash in the laundry. really after that they look like just bought.

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Really? YMMV, but I've found my leather jackets have always been much harder wearing than any others of comparable quality and utility I've owned. Never felt any need to protect a jacket against "wrinkles". [huh]

I like wrinkly jackets! I never hang either Sheepskin or leather I throw them (reasonably tidy) on the floor!

D

Davy Crockett said:

I like wrinkly jackets! I never hang either Sheepskin or leather I throw them (reasonably tidy) on the floor!

D

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I think most do. While I'm still mystified by folks artificially ageing or breaking in a jacket instead of just wearing it, I'm equally confused as to why anyone would want to overly-baby a jacket. The natural wrinkling of leather is a big part of its attraction to me. I get it more where it's hard leather in a boot on which wrinkling can lead to splitting, but still....

Seb Lucas said:

What petrol wash do you recommend? I tried unleaded but the dye came off.

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Good.