Leather Care & Cleaning
Can You Put Leather in the Dryer?
No: dry leather at room temperature on a wide hanger, never in the dryer. Why heat is risky, what tannage changes, and how faux leather should be dried.
No, you should not put leather in the dryer: let wet leather dry at room temperature instead. That goes for faux leather too, which should air dry on a rack or hanger. The only dryer-style tool the store's care instructions mention is a hair dryer on its lowest setting, and only for faux fur trim.
More care basics are in our leather care and cleaning guide.
Why the dryer is a bad idea
Does all leather shrink in heat? Not the same way.
The Canadian Conservation Institute says fully chrome-tanned leather does not shrink even in hot water, and chrome tanning makes up 85-90% of modern leather. Unless you know how your piece was tanned, the safe rule stays the same: no dryer.
On clothing, also check the care label. US care labels on textile clothing must say how to dry the item and warn against harmful methods.
| Material | What the source says | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Real leather | Never put it in the dryer; dry at room temperature | – |
| Real leather | Avoid heat and direct sun for long periods | – |
| Vegetable-tanned leather | May shrink or stiffen when soaked; warm, moist conditions can darken, stiffen and embrittle it | – |
| Faux leather | High dryer heat can make it come apart | – |
How to dry wet leather instead
- Blot surface water with a clean cloth.
- Hang jackets and coats on a wide wooden, plastic or padded hanger to hold their shape.
- Dry at room temperature, away from heat sources and direct sun.
- Moisturize once dry with a leather lotion on a soft cloth.
For the full method, read how to dry leather without damaging it. If the leather got soaked, see can water ruin leather.
Faux leather and the dryer
Faux leather clothes should go on a drying rack or hanger, not in the dryer. Our guides on how to wash faux leather pants and how to clean faux leather cover the steps before drying.
Quick answers
Can I put leather pants in the dryer?
No. Real leather pants dry at room temperature, and faux leather pants should air dry on a hanger or rack.
Can you dry a leather jacket in the dryer?
No. Hang it on a wide or padded hanger and let it dry at room temperature.
Does leather get ruined in heat?
Long exposure to heat or direct sun should be avoided. How badly heat harms leather depends on how it was tanned.
The full checklist is in the Leather Collection leather care instructions.
hosob Editorial Team
hosob articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.