Protecting Your Investment: The Science of Leather Storage

A high-quality leather jacket can last for decades, but it can be ruined in a single season of improper storage. Because leather is a natural, porous skin, it reacts to its environment. If the air is too damp, you get mold; if it’s too dry, the skin cracks. If the hanger is too thin, the leather stretches and loses its shape.

Before you put your favorite jacket away for the season, follow these three non-negotiable professional rules.

1. Never Store Leather in Plastic

This is the #1 mistake we see at our facility. The thin plastic bags provided by local dry cleaners are designed for transport only—to get the item from the shop to your car without getting caught in the rain. They are not for storage.

Leather needs to breathe. Plastic traps moisture and fluctuations in temperature against the skin, creating a greenhouse effect that is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Instead, use a breathable cloth garment bag or, better yet, leave the item uncovered in a well-ventilated closet.

2. Respect the Shoulder: Use the Right Hanger

Wire hangers and thin plastic hangers are the enemies of leather. Leather is heavy, and over a long summer, the weight of the jacket will cause the leather to "grow" over the ends of a thin hanger. This results in permanent "shoulder nipples" or stretching that ruins the silhouette of the garment.

The Professional Choice: Invest in a wide, contoured wooden hanger. The hanger should end just before the shoulder seam and have a rounded, thick profile to support the natural weight of the hide.

3. Clean Before You Store

Never store a dirty jacket. Body oils, perspiration, and invisible food stains can become permanent over several months of storage. Even more importantly, these organic materials are what mold feeds on. By sending your jacket for a professional cleaning at the end of the season, you ensure it is pH-balanced and protected while it sits in your closet.