What would happen if I wash my leather jacket at 60 degrees?

cashmonger

I have a severe dust mite allergy which means I have to avoid dust all around the house but also cant wear cotton high pile clothes for long periods.

So I always wear a leather jacket around the house which is good to keep me warm but unlike my other clothes I havent washed it before since I heard that it will wreck leather.

It has never cause me a problem allergy wise but the other day, not thinking, I stupidly wiped down my leather jacket with the same sponge I had just wiped all the dust around the house with!

I have been trying to eliminate other possible causes but the leather jacket seems to be one of the last ones left I can think of.

It cost me 80 quid a few years ago so Im worried to wreck it but its also unusable if it sets off my allergy.

I know they say if you must wash it it has to be at low temp but it needs to be at 60 degrees or above to kill the allergen from the mites.

So what would happen if I did this?

I am not worried about aesthetics really since I only wear it at home though would obviously prefer not to totally trash it since I go out to get the mail and such in it. But wouldnt want it to shrink to a tiny degree where it wouldnt fit.

I have tried wiping it multiple times; with a new clean wipe not the dusty one.

So what shoud I do? I was thinking if it would very likely wreck it to where its not wearable then maybe I will sell it and look for other tops that I can wash for future. I already wear 2 synthetic tops which are fine but arent warm enough alone in winter. Maybe Ill just buy several more and wear about 5 layers which I would like to think would make up for one leather jacket.

The leather jacket not being washable is really an achilles heel in my regimen. I would really be pleased to find out it wasnt the jacket but something else which has been causing me to still get a reaction after tidying the whole flat but Im running out of things to remove from the equation. So frustrating when you just settle down to work and it kicks up again!

HappyMJ

You don't have to put it in the washing machine to kill dust mites.

If you could get the jacket up to 60 degrees in a dry environment...then you'll kill the dust mites.

I was thinking the dryer but it's probably too hot...then I was thinking the oven but it's a harsh form of heat.

Maybe if you've got a fan heater you could somehow get the jacket up to 60 degrees without exceeding that to kill them.

Maybe one of those hanging dryer things might get the temperature up enough but not too much. Maybe an indoor air dryer ... the link didn't work so google it.

Too high a temperature can dry out the leather so as soon as you've got it to 60 degrees leave it for 5 minutes or so then pull it out and condition the leather.

cashmonger

Ah thanks for the tips! my machine has a dryer. So is it the act of getting it wet that ruins leather rather than the heat? or a mix of both but wetness being the worst?

You say as soon as it reaches 60 degrees but how could I know the internal temperature of my jacket ? or if you mean the dryer have a thermostat which tells you well mine aint that fancy

are dryers generally over 60 as standard? since I dont know I may be questioning whehter it did the job. ofc if it solves the allergy then it worked.

But now you mention it I could alternative put it in the freezer though I dont know it that kills the allergen but just the mites. it will be the allergen that it the problem not the mites Id guess.

I dont want to have to buy anything else since it defeats the purpose I would just buy some other washable tops but the washing machine dryer seems the best bet if it wont damage it. I imagine people wear leather jackets in extremely hot environemnts like nevada and stuff and their leather is ok no? and ofcourse the oringial cows probably live in hot places in the sahara for instance?

DigForVictory

Leather is a *skin*, not a fibre.
Almost any variation in temperature or fluid will affect it and being tanned and made up into a jacket doesn't stop it responding badly - think of what you'd do to your face.
Try your local dry cleaners for a quote?

HappyMJ

cashmonger wrote: »

I dont want to have to buy anything else since it defeats the purpose I would just buy some other washable tops but the washing machine dryer seems the best bet if it wont damage it. I imagine people wear leather jackets in extremely hot environemnts like nevada and stuff and their leather is ok no? and ofcourse the oringial cows probably live in hot places in the sahara for instance?

If we were in Nevada on a hot summers day you could just put the jacket in the sun and it'll get hot enough...unfortunately we don't get strong enough sun for that.

They also do need to condition the leather regularly to prevent the leather from cracking so you will need to have leather conditioner on hand to rub into it once you're done so you will need to buy something.

Some cows do live in hot places too as well as the UK..but they have blood flowing about and oils released from their skin keeping their hide in good condition.

helcat26

Hi
I think it will shrink and also wrinkle.
Can you not wipe the outside with something like this




https://www.allergybestbuys.co.uk/products/strikeback-dustmite-killer-spray-1l?gclid=CKypjbqjscsCFUEaGwodP0wA0g

cashmonger

helcat26 wrote: »

Hi
I think it will shrink and also wrinkle.
Can you not wipe the outside with something like this




https://www.allergybestbuys.co.uk/products/strikeback-dustmite-killer-spray-1l?gclid=CKypjbqjscsCFUEaGwodP0wA0g

Yes I have something like that at my mums which contains tannic and tannic acid is made specifically for leather so i read but it doubles to kill mite allergen however I dont visit her for a few months yet.

Well I took it off and and put it in the other room and was still getting a reaction so I think it might not be the jacket which is good news I put it back on and it hasnt made it worse. I just gotta find out !!!!!! is causing it! My flat is really spartan with wood floors and hardly any items in it. Usually I am nice and clear shortly after clearing up. I did do a particularly thorough clean this time though so wondering if it is taking a while for the airborn dust to settle down.

HappyMJ

cashmonger wrote: »

Yes I have something like that at my mums which contains tannic and tannic acid is made specifically for leather so i read but it doubles to kill mite allergen however I dont visit her for a few months yet.

Well I took it off and and put it in the other room and was still getting a reaction so I think it might not be the jacket which is good news I put it back on and it hasnt made it worse. I just gotta find out !!!!!! is causing it! My flat is really spartan with wood floors and hardly any items in it. Usually I am nice and clear shortly after clearing up. I did do a particularly thorough clean this time though so wondering if it is taking a while for the airborn dust to settle down.

How about a steam cleaner? As you know temperature kills mites so if you get a hold of a steam cleaner you can get into the corners of the wood flooring and make sure that any mites are killed off. You can also steam clean the mattress, sofa and anything else whilst you've got it.

fairy_lights

I'd take it to a dry cleaners and see what they recommend. If you've been wearing it for years then the lining might need a bit of a freshen up anyway, even if the outside can be wiped off.

cashmonger

@happyMJ oh another nice suggestion you have given me some nice tips to consider for future cleaning regimens. Thanks

Well I was still having issues yesterday so cleaned the sitting room all round again.

I was ok in the evening. Noticable improvement but Im usually better in the evening anyway.

When I got up today it was around 50% better but still not the level I expect it to be. Usually I will not notice any problems and forget about the issue as long as Ive done my cleaning drills.

So it led me back to the clothing as the culprits. I just went and bought another synthetic top and trousers. They certainly arent warm alone but I have 3 layers on now and feel clear so far but know not to get excited too fast. Gotta leave it a few hours to test results.

If this way works I think I will drop the leather jacket from my wearing clothes since I am unable to practically keep it to the high level of sterility I need it to be. I think I should get a few quid for it on ebay since it is still nice condition.

I could now use it as an outdoor jacket since I dont have these issues so much with normal clothes if Im out and on the move. But I feel kind of guilty wearing a full leather jacket on the street as an animal lover. I only justified getting it for the possible health benefits for which it served me well up til the other day.

I may wait and try the allergen spray I have at my mums in summer but I doubt I will get it back to its previous performance levels.

Cheap sportswear synthetics are alot easier to deal with as since they dont cost much Im not so afraid to wash them hot and are widely available.

A.Penny.Saved

I would not use water on a leather jacket because it is almost certain to ruin it. For something like that I would talk to a cleaning company ie dry cleaning to see what they say. Look in the yellow pages or online for companies and try phoning them to get an idea what they recommend.