Cleaning Leathers

[duqette]

i was referring to my textile gear... pants and jacket have bug guts all over them.
i haven't tried throwing it the washer yet, i've been spot cleaning it, but it's really bad now.

If it's textile, somewhere in there is a care label. I always start there, just to see what the manufacturer says you can or can't do. Otherwise, you gotta figure that something designed to hold up to asphalt is going to do OK in a mere washing machine.  I'd take out any padding or removable lining, close all velcro and zips, and wash on the delicate cold cycle, line dry. Mild soap, no bleach or bleaching products.

The chemicals that are used in dry cleaning can sometimes be harsher on artificial fibers that just plain water ... they will melt them. I've seen it. A otherwise perfect silk gown comes back from dry-cleaning with the artificial lace trims melted all over it. That was a baaaaaad day.... 

[Grio]

you gotta figure that something designed to hold up to asphalt is going to do OK in a mere washing machine. 

That's what you'd think, but lower end textile gear won't stand up to the agitation of the washing machine.  Low quality textile and mesh gear are notorious for disintegrating in a crash.  Choose your gear wisely.  Personally, I won't ever purchase any Joe Rocket textiles.

[TiNi]

That's what you'd think, but lower end textile gear won't stand up to the agitation of the washing machine.  Low quality textile and mesh gear are notorious for disintegrating in a crash.  Choose your gear wisely.  Personally, I won't ever purchase any Joe Rocket textiles.

mine are the motoGP brand... anyone ever machine wash these?

[Ducatista]

I think there are treatments for cleaning leather. You have to take it to a leather-cleaning specialist.

I've always been taught that leather is like (hello) skin. You can clean it with mild soap and water as long as you don't soak it. Treat it with lotion to keep it supple and moist, and it will last forever. Once it gets dried out, though, it can't be resuscitated.

I know that I've sweat through leathers all the way from the inside to the outside.  Yeah, I was a bit warm.  It didn't affect it at all, and just was a bit... funky after that. 

[mbalmer]

I know that I've sweat through leathers all the way from the inside to the outside.  Yeah, I was a bit warm.  It didn't affect it at all, and just was a bit... funky after that. 

It's that "funky" part I'm trying to avoid. My gear isn't old, but eventually it'll have to smell. The vodka idea is interesting. I'm going to look for some very thin under clothes that are good for moisture. They have to be thin because my leathers are skin tight and I don't want to go on a diet. I like my junk food.

[Grio]

I know that I've sweat through leathers all the way from the inside to the outside.  Yeah, I was a bit warm.  It didn't affect it at all, and just was a bit... funky after that. 

If you sweat right through, you should clean and condition the leather.  The salt and oils from your perpiration will dry out the leather and make it age/crack prematurely.  Lots of good priducts out there.

[ro-monster]

I have never owned any textile gear but my guess is it would fare better in a front loading washer than a top loading one. The cleaning instructions for sleeping bags specify using a front loader as it is more gentle and won't ruin the sleeping bag.