Leather Care & Weather
How to Care for Leather in Every Kind of Weather
Rain, salt, sun, heat and humidity each harm leather differently. See the first fix for each, safe storage humidity, and where advice on conditioning splits.
To protect leather from the elements, treat it with a water and stain repellent, let it dry at room temperature when it gets wet, and wipe winter salt off with a damp cloth. Keep it out of long sun and heat, and store it somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated. Each kind of weather harms leather in its own way, so this page covers each one briefly and links to the full answer.
Weather and leather at a glance
| Weather | What it can do | First thing to do | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain | Darkens aniline leather; darkens suede and nubuck until the nap dries | Blot it, then let it dry at room temperature, away from direct heat | – |
| Snow and winter salt | Leaves salt stains | Wipe with a clean, damp cloth and let it dry naturally | – |
| Sun and heat | Discoloration and drying out | Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters | – |
| Very dry air | Leather loses moisture and turns brittle below 30% relative humidity | Avoid storing it next to heat sources | – |
| Humid air | Mould and fiber breakdown above 65% relative humidity | Store it in a dry, ventilated place under a breathable cover | – |
Rain and water
Leather can get wet, but some types show it more than others. On aniline leather, water soaks in and darkens the surface. Suede and nubuck can darken while the nap is wet, but they should dry back to their original color.
Whatever the leather, let it dry naturally. That means no hair dryer, no radiator and never a clothes dryer.
For the details, see:
- Can you wear leather in the rain? for when to wear it and when to leave it at home.
- Does water ruin leather? for what water actually does and what can be fixed.
- Is rain bad for leather? and how long leather takes to dry.
- Is cowhide leather waterproof? for the most common jacket hide.
Snow and winter salt
Winter salt stains leather. Wipe the marks off with a clean, damp cloth and let the piece dry naturally. A white bloom is not always salt, though. Fatty residue from dressings and salts from sweat can look like mould, so check before you treat it.
Sun and heat
Sunlight can discolor leather and dry it out. Light damage builds up over time and cannot be reversed. Dyed leather can be very sensitive to light.
Heat does similar harm. Leather kept near a radiator dries out and wears faster, so don't store it over radiators or furnace pipes. The Leather Collection care instructions also say to avoid long spells in direct sun or heat.
Humidity, mould and storage
Leather prefers air that is neither very dry nor damp. Below 30% relative humidity it loses moisture and turns brittle. Above 65% it invites mould and fiber breakdown. Conservators at the Canadian Conservation Institute aim for a steady 45% to 55% relative humidity at about 64 to 68°F (18 to 20°C).
Mould can grow fast in damp air. According to the institute's note on mould, it generally appears after 2 days at 90 to 100% humidity, 10 days at 80% and 100 days at 70%. So never put leather away damp.
For everyday storage:
- Choose a cool, dry, ventilated spot, not a hot attic or a damp cellar.
- Cover the leather with breathable cloth such as a cotton sheet, not plastic, which causes excessive drying.
- Hang coats on a wide wooden, plastic or padded hanger.
Conditioning and protection products
For protection, the store's care guide suggests a water and stain repellent. Test any product on a hidden area first.
Conditioning is where the sources disagree:
Both sides agree on what to avoid. The store lists cleaning fluid, shoe cream, saddle soap and mink oil. The conservation note adds that saddle soap is very alkaline and can leave a white deposit.
Go deeper:
| Source | View | Context | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather Collection care instructions | Moisturize finished leather with a leather lotion on a soft cloth | Leather clothing that people wear | – |
| Canadian Conservation Institute | Dressings are not generally recommended; many oils stiffen leather as they age | Museum objects | – |
Care by item and leather type
- Everyday basics: how to care for leather.
- Coats: how to care for a leather coat, plus how to treat and care for a leather coat.
- Labels: how to read a leather care label, including what "Leather clean" means.
- Delicate finishes: how to care for aniline leather and how to care for patent leather.
For numbered, step-by-step care routines, see hosob.com. For leather that is already cracked or badly water-stained, restoration is covered at mumiay.com.
Shop leather made for everyday wear
If you are choosing a new coat, Leather Collection offers men's coats in trench, duster, car coat and blazer cuts. They come in cowhide, sheepskin or goatskin, with a Custom Size option. Check which hide you are buying, because the hide changes how much care each kind of weather calls for.
FAQ
What can I put on leather to protect it?
A water and stain repellent made for leather, tested first on a hidden area. Sources disagree on conditioners: garment-care advice says to moisturize finished leather, while museum conservators advise against dressings.
What should you not use on leather?
Leather Collection lists cleaning fluid, shoe cream, saddle soap and mink oil. Also avoid heat for drying: no hair dryer, radiator or clothes dryer.
LeatherGuide Editorial Team
LeatherGuide articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.