How to wash a leather skirt (faux leather, faux leather, eco-leather, suede) at home, is it possible and how to clean it properly?

The leather skirt has remained at the top of popularity since its invention. This product looks stylish and expensive.

However, many women are happy with their purchase only until the item becomes dirty or stains appear on it.

Read the article about whether and how to wash a leather skirt (suede, eco-leather, leatherette) at home.

Is it possible?

It is not recommended
to wash a leather skirt . There is a simple explanation for this. Before you start sewing, the leather must be treated. Craftsmen remove excess moisture from the material and impregnate it with special compounds.

They prevent skin deformation and make it soft. When washing, these substances are washed out, so the skirt can stretch out greatly and become stiff.

The prohibition on washing applies to skirts made of natural suede. This material is represented by soft, velvety leather, which was produced by fat or formaldehyde-fat tanning.

The surface of suede has a characteristic structure, since the skin is devoid of a facial layer . Therefore, contact with water and detergents can be the first and last time for an item.

Unlike its “sisters”, a skirt made of eco-leather (leatherette) can be washed. However, processing should be as gentle as possible. Preference is given to hand washing.

However, you need to take care of your leather skirt. Walking around in dirty, stained clothes is unacceptable.

Useful tips

When washing, you should consider several important tips that will help maintain the normal appearance of the product and accurately clean the surface:

to wash a leather skirt so that it does not shrink, it is recommended to use water whose temperature does not exceed 30 ° C;
if washing is done in a washing machine, then you cannot wash several things in one drum, especially of different colors;
if the material has fabric elements or bright fittings, then it is worth adding a color fixer to the soap solution - otherwise the leather may fade;
when the soap solution contains auxiliary substances such as turpentine, gasoline or ammonia, it is recommended to moisten the surface of the material;
during the drying process, do not place things near hot heating appliances or air conditioning equipment;
After hand washing, it is better to remove any remaining moisture using a microfiber cloth - the material will absorb water and will definitely not damage the surface of the item.

Read more ► How to wash shirts in a washing machine: methods for colored and white fabrics, how to remove stains

If you follow simple recommendations in terms of washing and drying, the product will retain its attractive appearance and correct shape.

How to clean?

Cleaning a leather skirt is easy. You can get rid of simple stains using regular wet wipes . Complex stains are removed with more aggressive compounds, for example, vinegar, alcohol or soap solution.

Wet wipes

You can deal with simple stains on your skirt using regular wet wipes. This express method will quickly restore the appearance of the item.

Any wipes are suitable for cleaning:

antibacterial,
children's,
with and without alcohol content.

To completely remove the stain, you need to start removing it immediately. The longer a foreign substance remains on the material, the deeper it will penetrate into the skin structure.

This statement is especially true for greasy stains . Therefore, when putting on a leather skirt, you should always have a package of wet wipes on hand.

Ammonia

Ammonia helps to cope with complex, difficult-to-remove stains. It does not have a harmful effect on the skin, does not change its structure or color.

Procedure:

Apply alcohol to a cotton pad.
Treat the contaminated area. You need to move from the edges of the spot towards its center.
The procedure is repeated until the skirt is clean.
Wipe the product with a clean, damp cloth.

When working with ammonia, you need to wear gloves and in a well-ventilated area.

Soap solution

A solution of laundry soap shavings helps to effectively remove not only greasy stains, but also other types of stains, for example, from ink or spilled red wine.

Use it as follows:

Grind laundry soap on a grater. For a small stain, 1 tbsp is enough. l. facilities.
Mix the shavings with a small amount of water to form a gel-like substance.
Using a sponge, apply a thin layer to the stain and leave for 10 minutes.
Carefully remove the film with a damp soft cloth.

If the remedy does not work the first time, the procedure can be repeated.

Ethanol

Over time, any leather product becomes greasy and an unsightly shine appears on it. You can deal with it without washing, using regular alcohol. For this purpose, use vodka or regular cologne.

Procedure:

Apply ethyl alcohol to a cotton pad.
Wipe the areas that need treatment.
Squeeze lemon juice, soak the cotton wool with it and rub it over the fabric.

To keep the skirt soft, you need to lubricate it with a thin layer of glycerin and wait until it is completely absorbed.

Vinegar

To remove dark stains from a light leather skirt, you can use vinegar. A preservative concentration of 9% is required.

A cotton pad is moistened in it and used to wipe the areas that need cleaning . They are then treated with a damp cloth.

After such cleaning, the skirt will smell of acid. There is no need to worry about this. The vinegar will disappear from the fabric on its own after a few hours of exposure to fresh air.

Washing in a washing machine

Considering that the skin is sensitive to prolonged exposure to moisture and mechanical stress, you should be careful when using washing machines.

If the label does not prohibit this procedure, then perform it in the following order:

Set the gentle mode to the “delicate fabrics” indicator.
Select the “no spin” program with a temperature of 30˚C. The number of revolutions should not exceed 300.
The product is inspected. If marks of dirt and dust are found, remove them with a soft rag soaked in liquid soap.
The jacket or skirt is turned inside out, removing the decorative parts that can be removed beforehand. Place the item in the drum. To ensure uniformity of the process, it is recommended to additionally put a single-color piece of fabric that matches the shade.
Pour liquid detergent without aggressive or bleaching components into the compartment.

If you need to wash a leather backpack, it must first be thoroughly cleaned from the inside. Shake out all the debris from the pockets, wipe the surfaces from dust. The rigid gasket at the bottom is removed. If possible, remove carabiners and belts. Oil marks are cleaned in advance using a stain remover suitable for the leather.

It is advisable to turn the backpack inside out and place it in a plain, light-colored cotton pillowcase. After that, they put it in the drum of the machine without adding other things.

How to get rid of divorces

It is necessary to eliminate stains if the leather sofa has been wet cleaned. Whitish marks remain on the products after washing.

It is necessary to soak a piece of soft rag with clean water and moisten the mark over the entire area, extending slightly beyond the perimeter. Detergent compositions are not used. Place a paper towel on top to absorb moisture. Leave until completely dry.

Salt stains are removed with a swab soaked in 6% table vinegar. Then be sure to wash off the remaining product with a damp sponge.

How to remove sweat odor

Natural and artificial leather easily absorb foreign odors. It is often impractical to wash such products, so other methods are used to get rid of the common sweat odor:

Squeeze the juice from half a lemon. Dilute it in a 3:1 ratio with water. Spray with a spray bottle onto the reverse side of the product and dry it unfolded.
Pour hot water into a small enamel basin - 5 liters. Add vinegar essence with a concentration of 70% - 50 ml, carefully while stirring. The leather jacket should be hung so that the steam penetrates the problem area, saturating the fabric. After the water has cooled, the product is left to dry. You can wipe the gasket with a sponge, which is soaked first in a soap solution and then with clean water. You need to be careful not to wet your skin.

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What to treat after washing

To restore the decorative appearance of leather products after washing and restore their shine, their surfaces are treated using available substances:

wipe with a cotton pad soaked in lemon juice;
use a colorless cream intended for shoes for white or leather items dyed in various shades;
remove the peel from the orange and treat all tarnished areas with its inner side;
Use castor oil to apply to leather items.

The skin is wiped with a sponge soaked in lemon juice.
A good option is the grounds of natural coffee. It is placed in a double gauze napkin and the surface is wiped thoroughly.

It is possible to disguise areas with peeling skin using special paint. Before applying it, the surfaces are degreased. If necessary, apply several layers, allowing the previous one to dry for an hour.

Features of washing the product

Made from eco-leather

The faux leather skirt can be washed by hand.

Procedure:

Dilute detergent in warm water. It is better to use a liquid composition in the form of a gel.
The temperature of the cleaning solution should not be higher than 30 degrees.
Place the skirt in the basin and immediately begin washing.
The surfaces of the skin are gently wiped with a sponge. Do not brush or pull the fabric.
Rinse the product in clean water several times.

You cannot wring out a faux leather skirt!

Sometimes the manufacturer allows eco-leather items to be washed in a machine. Before processing, the product is turned inside out, all zippers and buttons are fastened.

Processing must be gentle and meet the following parameters:

water temperature – up to 30 degrees;
spin is disabled;
washing at minimum speed;
The extra rinse function is turned on.

The faster the wash cycle completes, the better. You should not resort to machine washing too often to prevent the material from cracking. Preference is given to manual cleaning.

Suede

Suede is an even more capricious material compared to leather . Therefore, you need to take special care of such a skirt:

Hand and machine washing is not acceptable.
The item is processed hanging or on a flat surface.
A low concentration soap solution is used as a detergent. It is applied to the skirt with a sponge.
To combat greasy areas, they resort to ammonia.
After processing, the product is wiped with a damp cloth.
Dry the skirt while hanging.

To fluff up the suede after cleaning, use a stiff brush. It is sold in shoe stores, but is great for caring for clothes.

How to wash a leather skirt

There are 2 washing methods - manual and in a washing machine. Each option involves following a precise algorithm, which includes basic recommendations for caring for such things.

How to wash a leather skirt in a washing machine

Washing a leather skirt in a washing machine is strictly prohibited. The only case when this option can be used is when there is severe contamination that cannot be removed manually.

When washing in a washing machine, the following rules should be observed:

limit the time the skirt spends in the washing machine, so it is recommended to use only the “Quick Wash” program;
do not use powders, bleaches, conditioners and gels - simply place the skirt in the drum without adding cleaning agents;
the maximum water temperature should be 30°C;
It is advisable to use a special bag for things.

Read more ► How to properly wash things in a washing machine: preparing clothes, laying them out, choosing a mode, means

After the procedure, the item should be immediately removed from the washing machine. You can't wring out your skirt. Drying is done naturally.

How to wash a leather skirt by hand

Hand washing is the best option for cleaning items.

When performing hand washing, you need to take into account the basic care rules:

First, you should clean the surface of the item. You need to prepare a weak soap solution and a soft washcloth. After saturating the sponge with soapy water and squeezing it well, wipe the surface with light movements.
Prepare a new sponge and clean water, the temperature of which should not exceed 20°C. It is recommended to soak the sponge in warm liquid and remove all soap residues, traces and stains from the cleaning solution.
The next step is to wash the lining. The fabric should be isolated as much as possible from the leather part. You can wash textiles in warm water with added powder. The lining should be rinsed and wrung out well.
If possible, the fabric is dried separately from the top layer. The drying principle depends on the shape of the skirt and the way the lining is attached.

Important ! It is recommended to wash the product no more than once a month. Primary cleaning is done after each wear.

At this stage, hand washing is completed. It is important that the natural material comes into contact with water as little as possible.

Drying

To ensure that a leather skirt does not lose its attractive appearance after contact with water, it must be dried properly.

Basic recommendations to follow:

Do not wring or twist the product so that the water drains from it faster.
Dry the item on a flat surface or in a hanging position. The skirt is attached to special ribbons that are sewn inside, in the waistband area. Clothespins are not used.
Leather products should not be dried in the sun.
It is prohibited to place items on a heating radiator or near heat sources.
During drying, there should be no creases or dents on the skirt.

To keep the skin soft after cleaning, it is lubricated with glycerin.

Ironing

You cannot iron a leather skirt. Therefore, you need to take care in advance to ensure that creases do not appear on it. To do this, after wet cleaning, shake it thoroughly and dry it on a flat surface.

If crumpled areas do form, you can use plain water . The skirt is hung on hangers and sprayed with a spray bottle. After drying it should straighten out. This way they smooth out natural leather and suede.

Leatherette products can be treated with a steam generator. Keep the device at a distance of 15 cm from the material.

When might dry cleaning services be required?

Dry cleaning services are used when complex stains appear on the skirt that cannot be removed on your own. Since it is prohibited to use aggressive household chemicals for washing, you should entrust the product to professionals.

The cost of work depends on its complexity. Approximate prices:

suede long skirt - about 900 rubles;
suede short skirt - about 700 rubles;
long leather skirt – about 800 rubles;
leather short skirt – about 650 rubles.

The service is paid only upon its completion. Before you take your item to the dry cleaner, you need to clarify what results they can guarantee and in what time frame the work will be completed.

Important Tips

Information that will be useful to all owners of leather skirts:

Before you start cleaning, you need to study the information on the product label. The manufacturer's recommendations should not be violated.
Scratches that appear on the skirt due to improper washing or active use can be treated with special paint (Saphir, Silver, Liquid leather, etc.).
Do not immediately apply detergent to a large surface of the product. To begin with, the new composition is tested on an inconspicuous area of the skin and its reaction is monitored.
When working with caustic substances, you need to protect your hands with gloves.
Do not use washing powder or stain removers to clean leather.
Eco-leather products of different colors cannot be washed together.
Rub dirt only with a cotton pad or soft sponge. A brush is not used for processing natural materials.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products here.

Video material

Leather items always add a special style and brightness to an image, but such products also cost a decent amount. Therefore, if you prefer just this type of clothing, then you need to wash your leather skirt or trousers, following the rules proposed in this article. Then you won’t be in danger of damaging the material!

For a dozen seasons now, designers have been creating leather skirts in each collection. The style changed, the colors became more varied. And the skirt has moved from the category of ultra seductive to the everyday wardrobe of fashionistas. In this article I will show this. Not so long ago, the SL.IRA collection was updated by incredibly cool ones. I chose three styles for work, going out and partying. Also see some recommendations for caring for eco-leather skirts.

#1 Strict “skin”: look for the office

Everyone who says that leather clothes and the office are incompatible is wrong. Look at . The skirt is short, but if you add a strict one (also SL.IRA) and a vest, the look will be within the dress code. Complete the look with leather ankle boots, a soft checkered coat and a beret, which is included in the top three.

Skirts for the office: pencil style, flared, it is advisable that there are no bright decorative elements or they are not flashy.

#2 “Warm” style: a set for a walk

This SL.IRA skirt is incredibly cool, many of our clients are already creating fashionable looks with it. It is suitable for a party, a nightclub, and for gatherings with friends at the cinema or in a cafe. But no less interesting is the set for active walks with a child, loved one or dog.

Thick colored tights, a down jacket and a hat are the main “components” of your comfort with this skirt. Shoes: high-top sneakers.

Skirts for every day: comfortable styles, mini wear with tight tights or leggings.

#3 Seductive red: party look

In this set, the main role is played by color – bright red. It attracts attention and distinguishes the model from the usual muted colors. I chose a blouse with a black and white print to go with it, its main feature being the original sleeves. Without the boots, the look wouldn't be so seductive. In, see how to choose and care for them. And she complemented everything with an original coat. A separate article is also devoted to what a high-quality coat looks like.

How to care for a skirt made of leather and eco-leather

First, I’ll tell you what the difference is between eco-leather, leather and leatherette (dermantine).

Leather is a natural “canvas”. Eco-leather and leatherette are substitutes. However, the usual leatherette, or dermantin, is of lower quality. It contains polyester. It is cold to the touch, thin and prone to wear and tear.

Eco-leather is leatherette containing polyurethane. This is a slightly rubberized fabric. Famous brands use it in their collections. Such things are cheaper than leather ones, but the quality is not inferior to natural material. If you hold your hand on eco-leather, it warms up, just like the skin. The material has excellent breathability.

Now about caring for things made of leather and eco-leather. Just a few recommendations.

We suggest you read: How to care for down jackets?

Do not store in plastic - only fabric or paper bags.

Don’t wash it - wipe it with a napkin; if it gets wet in the rain, dry it thoroughly too.

Use special care products - impregnations and creams.

Leatherette is a difficult material to care for. Products made from it often cannot be wetted, but should be dried under certain conditions. How then to get rid of the stain? Let's look at the main methods.