Where to... get a leather jacket cleaned?

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:36 am

Looking for the cheapest cleaning place in Helsinki, Espoo.

It's for one of my kids, his leather jacket needs a clean but I don't want to fork out more than the cost of a new one

Apart from being dirty and a bit smelly, it (the jacket) is in good condition, even the lining is almost as new.
It would be a real shame to chuck it out.

**Sponsor:**

biscayne · Post by **biscayne** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:50 am

Ok, I don't know if this will help, but there is this woman called Shannon Lush, who is famous in Australia. She has written a number of books about house-cleaning with simpler, non-toxic products, gives household tips etc. She claims that you can clean leather and suede jackets by putting them into a pillowcase filled with wheatgerm (really!!!......), tying the pillowcase firmly shut and using it as a cushion, sitting on it, or placing it under heavy:ish objects for a week or so. Apparently the wheatgerm leaches out the dirt, smells etc. and cleans just as well as professional dry-cleaning products. I have a few suede jackets and got one of them cleaned while I was in Australia, they did an ok job, although with suede the colour always fades a little with the chemicals, but it cost over 100 Aus$. So, when I just got marks on the sleeve of another suede jacket, I tried the wheatgerm tip and it worked!!!!! I haven't personally tried it on smooth leather though.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:22 pm

I have cleaned stains off suede jackets using those erasers that are sold for cleaning shoes. They work well too. The wheatgerm idea sounds great and I'm sure it does work on grime and grease but unfortunately he spilled a bottle of Ice Tea over his jacket in the car at the weekend and I don't think the wheatgerm will get the sugar out. I'm not sure normal dry cleaning will either but it would be a shame to throw away the jacket. Thanks!

sinikala · Post by **sinikala** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:59 pm

penelope wrote:I have cleaned stains off suede jackets using those erasers that are sold for cleaning shoes. They work well too. The wheatgerm idea sounds great and I'm sure it does work on grime and grease but unfortunately he spilled a bottle of Ice Tea over his jacket in the car at the weekend and I don't think the wheatgerm will get the sugar out. I'm not sure normal dry cleaning will either but it would be a shame to throw away the jacket. Thanks!

We bought a cheapo steam cleaner from Hong-Kong a couple of weeks ago ... €15 which is considerably cheaper than the last one I bought about 5 years ago for €50 odd.

Apparently they are good for cleaning leather surfaces in cars, and steam will def. dissolve the sugar, though you might have to dab it out a few times ... at least it's better than binning it.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:57 pm

Great idea. I had the Mothership of all steam cleaners out today so get the bathrooms clean before imminent visit of parents from UK. I'll top it up and have a go on the jacket.

After I steam it, do you think I need to wax it ? Shoe polish? Furniture wax?

EDIT: Done!!! Steam-cleaned and (almost) as good as new. Easy. I steamed it through a towel, using the brush attachment. I guess we will have to get it cleaned "properly" one day but at least the soda stains have gone and some of the smell.
Owe you a beer/coffee! You just saved me lots of euros.

network_engineer · Post by **network_engineer** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:43 pm

Hi!

Do try using some beeswax to maintain it as well. I tried it on my jackets and it does work quite well. You could get it from most of the stores, usually found in the shoe care section. Best results, apply a rather heavy coat, evenly, leave for some days, and then apply again and leave for a few days. I left it in the sauna, a bit cooler than the rest of the bathroom, but warm enough to keep the wax from going too cold. Buffed it a couple of days later, looked great.

Cheers.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:29 am

Best stuff for leather jackets is "Nahkiss"... I grease my jackets and boots yearly in the autumn in the sauna, so as to keep the water out.... well, summer jackets in the spring.

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:04 am

Pursuivant wrote:Best stuff for leather jackets is "Nahkiss"... I grease my jackets and boots yearly in the autumn in the sauna, so as to keep the water out.... well, summer jackets in the spring.

you mean after you are done with the löyly!! otherwise..it is pretty moist in the Sauna!!
We have the Kärcher 1902 !! But bever uysed it to for ironing ( have attachments ) or the cleaning of clothes..
Just floors..and carpets

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