I have bugs stuck on my jacket from a country ride. How do I get them off?

In the last few weeks, I've gotten a number of requests from my customers regarding cleaning Bug Splats from their leather jackets. Specifically the distressed leather jackets that are light in color. A dead bug on a light colored jacket makes a big impression.

Here is how to clean just about any leather jacket from unintended spots. Damp sponge (water only) and rub the spots on the jacket (do not try on Suede). Damp means very little water! Most of the spots should be removed by this method, however, water and leather usually are not good for each other and a dark spot will appear where the leather got wet. Hang the jacket to dry out naturally. This may take a couple hours or a couple of days depending on how much water was in the sponge and how deep the bug penetrated.

In order to help your leather and make it easier to clean, we strongly recommend that you use an OIL product specifically designed for leathers. We sell Mermac Mink Oil with Beeswax in our store, http://www.discount-leather.net/wimage/Mink.html but any good quality leather oil will do. Note I capitalized OIL: DO NOT use water based silicone products on your leather. Many leather stores sell these silicone based products, including most of the major leather sellers in the local mall in your area. Why? Silicone is a good sealer against water penetration, as a matter of fact, that is the primary ingredient in Thompson's Water Seal that you apply to your decks, driveways and whatever to prevent weathering. Your leather jacket, vest or chaps are not driveways or decks though. Leather needs to be fed in order to last for the longest possible time and replacing oils lost through time or breakdown is the way to make sure your leather apparel last for the longest time. Naked Leather & Distressed Leather tend to dry the fastest and really need an annual oiling.

I've read on other sites that I shouldn't use oils on my leathers because it darkens them. Why are you advocating oil?

The other sites are correct, using oil on your leather will darken them. In this era of instant gratification, everybody wants instant results. Leather Oils, like Mermac Mink Oil with Beeswax, take time to work. If you use Mink Oil on a distressed brown jacket you may get REAL SCARED because your light tan jacket will turn almost black. But just wait, in a day it will lighten considerably and in about two weeks it will almost be back to it's normal color but with a deeper, richer hue and a better, softer feel. As an added benefit, cleaning with a damp sponge will not allow the water to move into the leather, since we all know, oil and water don't mix.

Leather is a natural product and contains oil naturally when new. This natural oil allows it to remain soft, flexible and waterproof. Over time the oil breaks down and the leather will dry out, so you need to replace the oil with an oil that is close in composition to the natural oil that was originally in the leather. Taking care of your leather and oiling it regularly should keep it in good shape for decades. Remember, if you can't find leather oil close by, we have it at Discount Leather Mart at http://www.discount-leather.net/wimage/Mink.html