How to Get Rid of a Smell in a Leather Jacket Safely

The safest way to get a smell out of a leather jacket is to air it out slowly and absorb the odour rather than wash it away. Hang the jacket in a cool, well-ventilated place away from direct heat, wipe the inside with a barely damp cloth, and use a dry absorbent such as bicarbonate of soda or activated charcoal in a bag alongside it. Most musty, smoky and sweaty smells fade within a few days to two weeks, without any risk to the leather.

In this guide our leather specialists explain how to get smell out of a leather jacket step by step, which methods suit which odours, and which popular home remedies can damage the hide. The same advice applies across our men's leather jackets and women's leather jackets, with a few extra notes for shearling and suede.

Key takeaways

• Air first: good ventilation fixes most odours on its own, given time.
• Absorb, don't soak: bicarbonate of soda, activated charcoal and newspaper draw odour out without wetting the leather.
• Keep heat away: radiators, hairdryers, tumble dryers and strong sun dry out and crack leather.
• Never put a leather jacket in the washing machine: water and agitation can shrink, stiffen and stain the hide.
• Treat the cause: musty smells mean damp. Fix storage or the smell will return.
• Test everything: try any product on a hidden spot first, such as inside a pocket flap or under the collar.
• Know when to stop: deep smoke damage, mould or heavy staining is a job for a leather cleaning specialist.

Why leather holds on to smells

Leather is skin, and skin is porous. Under a microscope it is a dense web of collagen fibres with tiny spaces between them. Those spaces let leather breathe, which is why it feels comfortable to wear, but they also trap smoke particles, moisture and body oils.

The lining matters too. Most jackets have a polyester, cotton or viscose lining, and that fabric often holds more smell than the leather itself, especially sweat around the collar and underarms. Shearling and sheepskin jackets have wool against the body, which is excellent at absorbing odour and needs a slightly different approach.

Understanding where the smell lives helps you choose the right method:

• Surface smells such as a smoky pub or a takeaway usually sit on the surface and in the lining. They leave quickly with airing.
• Deep smells such as long-term cigarette smoke or a jacket stored damp for months have worked into the fibres. They need patience and absorbents.
• Tannery smells on a new jacket come from the finishing process and fade naturally with time and wear.

Identify the smell first

Different odours have different causes, so start by working out what you are dealing with.

How to get smell out of a leather jacket: the basic method

This method works for almost every odour and is gentle enough for any smooth leather jacket. Start here before trying anything stronger.

1. Empty the pockets: remove tissues, receipts and anything else. Turn the pockets out if you can.
2. Shake it out: give the jacket a firm shake outdoors to release loose particles.
3. Use a wide hanger: a padded or wooden hanger keeps the shoulders in shape. Thin wire hangers leave dents.
4. Find the right spot: hang it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. A spare room with the window open, a covered porch or a shaded spot outdoors on a dry day all work.
5. Open everything: unzip the front and any pockets, and turn the jacket inside out for part of the time so the lining gets air.
6. Wait: leave it for 24 to 48 hours, then check. Repeat as needed.

Keep the jacket out of direct sunlight. A few hours of weak winter sun will not hurt, but strong sunlight fades dyed leather and dries out the natural oils. Never hang it next to a radiator, fire or heater.

Using absorbents: bicarbonate of soda, charcoal and newspaper

If airing alone does not clear the smell, add an absorbent. These draw odour molecules out of the air around the jacket and, over time, out of the leather and lining.

Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is cheap and effective, but it should not be rubbed directly into leather, because the fine powder can settle into the grain and seams and leave a white residue. Use it indirectly instead:

1. Pour a few tablespoons into a shallow bowl or a breathable cotton bag.
2. Place the jacket in a large cotton garment bag or a clean box with the bicarbonate of soda beside it, not touching the leather.
3. Leave for 24 to 72 hours, then air the jacket for a few hours.

You can sprinkle a little inside a fabric lining if the smell is mostly there, then vacuum it out thoroughly with a brush attachment after a day.

Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal bags are excellent for smoke and musty odours. Place one or two in the pockets and another in a garment bag with the jacket. They are reusable: most can be refreshed by placing them in sunlight for a few hours.

Newspaper

Loosely crumpled newspaper stuffed into the sleeves and body absorbs moisture and some odour. It is especially useful for a jacket that has got wet. Use plain newsprint rather than glossy pages, and avoid packing it tightly against light-coloured linings in case the ink transfers.

If your leather jacket smells musty

When a leather jacket smells musty, damp is almost always the cause. It often happens to jackets stored in lofts, garages, vacuum bags or crowded wardrobes against an outside wall.

1. Check for mould: look for white, green or grey fuzzy spots, especially on the lining, in pockets and along seams. White bloom that wipes off easily and has no smell can also be fatty spew, a natural migration of oils, which is different from mould.
2. Dry it slowly: air the jacket in a dry room at normal room temperature. Do not try to speed it up with heat.
3. Clean light mould outdoors: brush off loose spores outside with a soft brush, then wipe the area with a cloth dampened with a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar. Test first on a hidden area, and wipe again with a cloth dampened with plain water.
4. Absorb: use charcoal or bicarbonate of soda as above for several days.
5. Condition: once the jacket is fully dry and the smell has gone, apply a thin coat of leather conditioner to replace oils lost during cleaning.

If mould has spread widely, or the leather has stained, take it to a leather cleaning specialist. Then fix the storage problem. Our guide on how to store a leather jacket covers breathable covers, hangers and how to keep damp out over winter.

How to remove smoke smell from leather

Smoke is one of the most stubborn odours because the particles are tiny and oily. To remove smoke smell from leather, combine time, fresh air and absorbents.

Light smoke: a night out, a bonfire, a barbecue

• Air overnight: hang the jacket somewhere ventilated as soon as you get home rather than putting it straight back in the wardrobe.
• Wipe down: the next day, wipe the outside with a soft, barely damp cloth to lift surface particles.
• Air the lining: turn the jacket inside out for a few hours.

Heavy smoke: a smoker's jacket or a vintage find

1. Air the jacket outdoors in the shade on dry days for a week or more, bringing it in at night to avoid dew.
2. Place it in a garment bag with two or three activated charcoal bags for several days.
3. Clean the lining with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then a cloth with plain water. Let it dry fully.
4. Clean and condition the leather with products made for leather.
5. Repeat the charcoal stage if needed.

Vintage and distressed jackets often arrive carrying years of smoke. Pieces like our men's distressed leather jackets such as the Men's Tan Brown Distressed Leather Removable Hood Bomber Jacket have the worn-in look without the history, but a pre-owned jacket can usually be brought back with patience.

Sweat and body odour

Sweat smells usually live in the lining around the collar, underarms and cuffs. Leather itself does not need regular washing, but the lining can be cleaned gently.

1. Mix a few drops of mild, unscented washing-up liquid into a bowl of lukewarm water.
2. Dip a soft cloth, wring it until barely damp, and wipe the lining in the affected areas. Avoid soaking it.
3. Wipe again with a cloth dampened in plain water to remove soap.
4. Hang the jacket inside out somewhere ventilated until completely dry.

Be careful not to let water seep through to the leather from the inside, especially on light colours. To prevent sweat smells building up, wear a layer underneath, air the jacket after each wear, and give it a day off between wears when you can.

When the new leather smell is too strong

Most people love the smell of new leather, but sometimes it is stronger than you would like, or it has a chemical edge from dyes and finishes. If the new leather smell is too strong:

• Take it out of the packaging: plastic bags trap the smell. Hang the jacket on a wide hanger straight away.
• Air it in a ventilated room for a few days, unzipped and with pockets open.
• Wear it: body warmth and movement help the smell dissipate more quickly than leaving it on a hanger.
• Add charcoal: a couple of charcoal bags in the pockets speed things up.

A classic smooth-leather piece such as the Women's Classic Black Leather Jacket will settle quickly this way. A new-leather smell normally softens noticeably within one to four weeks. Do not try to mask it with fragrance or remove it with harsh cleaners; it is a natural part of a fresh hide.

Shearling, sheepskin and suede jackets

These materials need extra care because they are easily marked by water and products.

• Shearling and sheepskin: the wool absorbs odour readily but also releases it well with airing. Brush the wool gently with a soft brush to open it up, then air. Use charcoal rather than powders, which are hard to remove from the fleece. For heavy smells, use a specialist sheepskin cleaner. Jackets such as the Men's Black Leather White Shearling Jacket or the Women's Black Shearling Leather Jacket benefit from a regular airing through the winter.
• Suede: avoid damp cloths on the outside, as water can leave tide marks. Air the jacket, brush with a suede brush, and use charcoal for odours.
• Distressed and waxed leathers: these have more surface texture and can hold smells in creases. Airing and charcoal work well; test any cleaner first because it may lift the finish.

Browse our men's shearling jackets for warmer styles that suit the UK winter.

Products that help, and products to avoid

When you want to deodorise a leather jacket, it is tempting to reach for whatever is under the sink. Here is what we recommend and what we do not.

Aftercare: condition and protect

Any cleaning, even with a damp cloth, can remove a little of the natural oil in leather. Once the jacket is dry and the smell has gone:

1. Check the surface: look for any dull or dry patches.
2. Condition lightly: apply a small amount of leather conditioner with a soft cloth, working in circles. Less is more.
3. Buff: after 20 to 30 minutes, buff off any excess with a clean cloth.
4. Store well: hang it on a wide hanger in a breathable cover, with space around it.

If you notice marks while cleaning, our guide on how to remove stains from a leather jacket covers ink, oil, water and salt. For scuffs or small tears, see how to repair a leather jacket, and for riding jackets our biker jacket maintenance guide covers regular upkeep.

How to stop smells coming back

• Air after wearing: hang the jacket in the open for a few hours before putting it away, especially after rain, smoke or a crowded venue.
• Keep it dry: if it gets wet, blot it with a towel and let it dry naturally at room temperature.
• Give it room: do not cram it into a tight wardrobe. Air needs to circulate.
• Avoid plastic: dry-cleaning bags and vacuum bags trap moisture. Use cotton covers.
• Keep charcoal in the wardrobe: a bag or two helps keep humidity and odours down.
• Wear a layer underneath: a T-shirt or shirt keeps sweat off the lining.
• Check stored jackets: take jackets out of storage every month or two to air and inspect them.

Common mistakes

• Spraying perfume or air freshener: it masks the smell for a day and can stain or dry the leather.
• Using heat to speed things up: radiators, hairdryers and tumble dryers cause cracking and shrinkage.
• Machine washing: even on a gentle cycle, this can ruin a leather jacket.
• Rubbing powder into the leather: bicarbonate of soda can lodge in the grain and seams.
• Leaving it in direct sun: strong sunlight fades colour and dries the hide.
• Putting it away damp: this is how musty smells and mould start.
• Skipping the patch test: always try a product somewhere hidden first.
• Forgetting to condition: after cleaning, leather needs its oils replaced.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get a musty smell out of a leather jacket?

Air it in a dry, ventilated room for several days, check for mould, and use activated charcoal or bicarbonate of soda in a bag nearby. Then fix the damp storage that caused it.

How long does it take to get smoke smell out of leather?

Light smoke from a night out usually goes overnight. Heavy, long-term smoke can take two to four weeks of airing and absorbents.

Can I put my leather jacket in the washing machine to remove smells?

No. Water and agitation can shrink, stiffen and discolour leather. Clean the lining by hand with a barely damp cloth instead.

Does vinegar remove smells from leather?

A diluted mix of white vinegar and water can help with light mould and some odours, but test it first and wipe it off with a damp cloth afterwards. Do not soak the leather.

Is it safe to use bicarbonate of soda on leather?

Yes, if it does not sit on the leather surface. Put it in a bowl or cotton bag beside the jacket.

Will the new leather smell go away?

Yes. It usually softens within one to four weeks with airing and wear.

Can I use Febreze or a fabric spray on a leather jacket?

We do not recommend it. Fabric sprays are designed for textiles and can leave marks on leather, and they mask rather than remove odours.

How do I get a smell out of a shearling jacket?

Brush the wool gently, air the jacket well and use charcoal. For strong smells, use a cleaner made for sheepskin or a specialist cleaning service.

Does freezing a leather jacket remove smells?

There is little evidence it works on odours, and condensation as it thaws can add moisture. Airing and absorbents are more reliable.

When should I use a professional leather cleaner?

When there is widespread mould, heavy smoke damage that does not respond to airing, or staining you cannot shift safely at home.

The short version

To get a smell out of a leather jacket, start gently: air it in a cool, ventilated place, clean the lining with a barely damp cloth, and let activated charcoal or bicarbonate of soda absorb what remains. Keep heat, perfume and washing machines well away, condition the leather once it is dry, and store it in a breathable cover so the smell does not return. Most odours clear within days, and even heavy smoke usually yields to patience. Looking for a fresh start? Explore our women's leather jackets.