Leather jacket: awkward question

Bfd70 said:

1. Don’t waste vodka
2. Wear jacket while naked and sweaty but post pics on a different site.

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If OP lives in Berlin I don't think he would stand out in the nightclub scene wearing just that.

Prevention: Wear clean breathable base layers under jacket, use deodorant, choose appropriate layering and jackets with appropriate linings for season/temp and ones with breathable linings (cotton, or anything with mesh as with many moto jackets). Buy moto jacket with zip out washable lining.

Cure: [in order of trying]
(0) if new to you old vintage jacket: brush/hoover lining with furniture brush attachment. Spot clean problem areas of lining with damp cloth/mild detergent.
(1) air outside on hanger inside out preferably in sun (if there is any) over several days if necessary.
(2) as above but spray problem areas regularly with diluted white vinegar first. Works pretty well, but recognise you’ll then need to air for a few days to get rid of vinegar smell.
(3) ozone machine. Careful not to damage self or pets with it (follow hazard warnings!). Can help, including using ozone fan in combination with spot clean and/or vinegar treatment
(4) hand wash it in bath lukewarm water a little mild detergent, rinse well with cold water then lay jacket flat and gently press out some of the water between two big towels (don’t wring jacket out!) then dry well supported on new dry towels replacing them as necessary lay jacket flat using rack to ensure air circulation and that heavy water soaked jacket not distorted (don’t air on hanger until much of water gone, weight may distort jacket). Before fully dry wear it to shape it properly. Use fans (cold! - not fan heater!) to help dry it, avoid drying with heat at all costs… time and circulating air are your friends. Then recondition leather with a couple of thin coats of quality product (eg Obernaufs).
(5) Wash in washing machine on delicate setting 30c max no tumble dry/long wash/spin. Put big old towel in with it to help balance machine etc. Then slowly air dry as per (4)
(6) live as a hermit far from judging smell intolerant humanity/get covid so you no longer have a sense of smell…

Ps this long post https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-bike-jacket-refurb-and-relining-tips.104074/

I did about a vintage jacket I got/got restored has more on my experience of getting rid of bad jacket smell in a particularly stubborn case. In this case I escalated in stages from 0 up to and including option 4. Then did some more of 1, 2 and 3 afterwards. I got there in the end but it took time. And all this even though I had a reline done, as the lining was shot anyway, so lining is new and it still took time and lots of different treatments!

So prevent if you can! And that can work well - I have a 20 year old vanson moto jacket that’s seen plenty of service over the years in all weather including touring in hotter places. Sitting in gridlocked traffic in 35C heat in Italy astride an overheating stationary air cooled motorbike makes you sweat into your jacket plenty, whether you’re a big perspirer or not… I got close to heatstroke and my base layer was fit for burning afterwards, but the (non removable) mesh lining on my vanson just needed an airing to stay stink free…