Can You Iron Leather? Yes, With Low Heat, No Steam and a Barrier

Yes, you can iron smooth leather, but only on a low setting, with the steam off, through a barrier, and only after hanging hasn't worked. Leather Collection's care advice is to let wrinkles hang out first. If you still need to iron, put heavy brown paper over the leather and use a cool to medium iron, because overheating makes leather shine. Never iron suede or nubuck, since heat and pressure flatten the nap.

This answer is part of our leather reshaping and wrinkles series.

How to iron leather in 6 steps

1. Hang it first. Put the item on a wide or padded hanger for a couple of days. One jacket retailer suggests 48-72 hours.
2. Empty the steam iron and switch steam off. One maker and one retailer both say no steam.
3. Set the lowest heat. The store says cool to medium, and a maker says the lowest setting.
4. Test a hidden spot, such as an inside hem, for about 3 seconds. Stop if you see any change in color, shine or texture.
5. Press through a barrier. The store uses heavy brown paper. A maker uses a damp, not wet, sheet or pillowcase, and a retailer a cotton cloth.
6. Keep it short. Keep the iron moving and never let it rest in one spot. The retailer uses 3-5 second presses, or 2-3 seconds on lambskin, and lifts the iron rather than sliding it.

Why no steam?

Wet heat is what shrinks leather. Measured shrinkage temperatures for wet leather start at about 158-185°F (70-85°C) for vegetable-tanned leather. Chrome-tanned leather goes higher, to about 212-266°F (100-130°C).

One jacket retailer puts leather's damage point at about 300°F (150°C) and gives no source for that figure. Treat the lower figures for wet leather as the ones that matter whenever moisture is involved. A damp barrier cloth adds a little moisture too, so keep presses short.

What not to iron

• Suede and nubuck: heat and pressure flatten the nap.
• Faux leather: it's plastic. PVC starts to distort at around 140°F (60°C). See can you iron faux leather?
• Iron-on patches or transfers onto leather: one patch maker says never to iron patches straight onto leather, because heat can scorch, stiffen or discolor it.

FAQ

Is it possible to iron a leather jacket?

Yes, through brown paper or a cloth on a cool to medium setting, after hanging hasn't worked. For other options, see how to remove wrinkles from a leather coat.

Can you put a leather skirt in the dryer?

No. Leather Collection's care advice is never to put leather in the dryer.

Can you steam leather instead?

Sources disagree. One maker says not to use a steamer on leather goods. A retailer allows one held 6-8 in (15-20 cm) away. See can you steam leather to remove wrinkles?

Does leather get ruined in heat?

Too much can. Heat dries leather out, and one maker warns it can crack or burn. For the full method without an iron, see how to get wrinkles out of leather.