How to Wash a Motorcycle Jacket Safely (Leather and Textile)

To wash a motorcycle jacket, read the care label first, then take out the armor and liners. A leather jacket is never machine-washed: clean it by hand with a damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner, air dry it and condition it. A textile jacket can be hand-washed, or machine-washed on a cold, gentle cycle only if its label allows.

This tutorial is part of our leather care and cleaning guide.

Leather or textile? The difference at a glance

Gear makers such as Alpinestars and REV'IT! agree on one rule: if the label and a guide disagree, follow the label.

What you need

• Two soft microfiber cloths, one damp and one dry
• A soft brush or old toothbrush for seams and dried dirt
• A pH-neutral leather cleaner, or pH-neutral soap and lukewarm water
• Leather conditioner made for riding leather (for leather jackets)
• A wide, padded hanger

How to wash a motorcycle jacket in 8 steps

1. Read the care label. Check the label in every layer, including detachable liners.
2. Strip the jacket. Remove electronics, armor and liners. Wipe the armor with a damp cloth and don't soak it. Close every zipper and hook-and-loop fastener.
3. Remove grit dry. Go over the jacket with a dry microfiber cloth, or a soft brush on dried dirt and bugs, before any water touches it.
4. Clean.

• Leather: wipe with a slightly damp cloth, then work a little diluted cleaner lightly into soiled areas. Keep moisture out of seams and perforations, and blot perforated panels rather than rubbing them.
• Textile: hand wash in lukewarm water with a little detergent, agitating gently for 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Remove the residue. Wipe leather again with a clean, damp cloth. Rinse textile until the water runs clear.
6. Air dry. Hang the jacket on a wide hanger in the shade, away from heaters, radiators and direct sun. Leather Collection's care page says never to put leather in the dryer.
7. Condition or reproof. Once leather is fully dry, apply a thin, even coat of conditioner and buff it after it soaks in. Reproof textile when water no longer beads.
8. Reassemble and store. Refit the armor and liners. Hang the jacket in a cool, dry, ventilated place in a breathable cover, never damp and never in plastic.

In this video from rider Stuart Fillingham, a textile riding suit has its armor and liners removed, then goes through a cold machine wash with a technical cleaner and a re-proofing cycle, following the garment's care label. It covers textile gear only, not leather. He is stricter than this page on detergent: he says ordinary laundry detergent strips waterproofing and should not touch technical riding gear, while the gear maker's guide this page follows allows a little mild detergent. He also hangs the suit outside to drip dry; this page says to dry textile away from sun and heat.

Special leather finishes

• Suede or nubuck panels: no liquid cleaners or conditioners. Use a nubuck brush or eraser instead.
• Perforated leather: keep moisture to a minimum and blot.
• Printed or reflective logos: wipe only, no abrasives.

How often to clean it

Spot-clean after dirty rides, and do a full clean when the jacket looks grimy or smells. Between cleans, wipe dust and rain off a leather jacket with a soft, dry cloth after each ride. For conditioning intervals, see how often to condition leather.

Common mistakes

• Machine-washing leather. Gear makers rule it out.
• Taking leather to a normal dry cleaner. Standard dry cleaning removes essential oils and can crack, fade and shrink leather. Ask for a leather specialist; see can you dry-clean a leather coat?
• Drying with heat. No radiators, heaters or tumble dryers.
• Wringing or twisting. Don't, on any jacket.
• Solvents and alcohol on leather. These can attack the finish. See is rubbing alcohol safe on leather?
• Storing it damp or in plastic.

Rode home in a downpour? Read caring for motorcycle leathers after rain. Cleaning a one-piece suit is covered in how to wash a motorcycle race suit, and the rest of your kit in how to maintain motorcycle riding gear.

Shopping for a jacket that takes this routine well? Leather Collection men's biker leather jackets come in cowhide, sheepskin or lambskin, 0.8 to 1.3 mm (0.03 to 0.05 in) thick depending on style.

Quick answers

Can you put a motorcycle jacket in the washing machine?

Not a leather one. A textile jacket can go in only if its label permits: use a laundry bag, a delicate cycle and cold water up to 86°F (30°C).

How do you wash a jacket without ruining it?

Follow the label, take out the armor and liners, use mild cleaners, and air dry away from heat.