How to "destink" a vintage leather?

[revkev]

I purchased a vintage GAP leather. I like it a lot but it has a faint smell...Its not bad, but its not good. Does not smell like rot, but more like a clean wet dog without any added frangrance if that makes sense.

I literally put this jacket through the ringer. I am not afraid to wash a leather jacket (of course it depends on the leather) in a washing machine and rant this 2x. Its better, but still there if you are standing near me. I recall when I took it out of the washing cycle when it was wet, the scent was the strongest, but faded as it dried. I just did the 2nd wash and going to apply mink oil to re mositurize and maybe lock in the scent.

Any ideas on how to neutralize this? Thanks

 

[Modified_last_call]

I would say your last line of attack is an ozone generator.
I have had good results in a small enclosed space.
They can be had for less than $50.00
Multiple treatments give better results as you can't really damage the jacket.
The jacket may retain a slight metallic scent.

Here's a link to one THIS , but you can find them anywhere

 

[revkev]

I never thought about that! I actually have one since I used to be a car broker. I will give it a try. How "enclosed" was the space you used? I can try it in a bathroom.

 

[Modified_last_call]

I use a small powder room, maybe 8 X 6.
I have a small ozone generator, and it works well.
The one I posted has a larger output

 

[Nathan Flowers]

I don't know if it would work on leather, but I got the stink out of an old Barbour waxed jacket with a soak in, believe it or not, cheap vodka. Try at your own risk .

 

[Bahabp100]

I purchased a vintage GAP leather. I like it a lot but it has a faint smell...Its not bad, but its not good. Does not smell like rot, but more like a clean wet dog without any added frangrance if that makes sense.

I literally put this jacket through the ringer. I am not afraid to wash a leather jacket (of course it depends on the leather) in a washing machine and rant this 2x. Its better, but still there if you are standing near me. I recall when I took it out of the washing cycle when it was wet, the scent was the strongest, but faded as it dried. I just did the 2nd wash and going to apply mink oil to re mositurize and maybe lock in the scent.

Any ideas on how to neutralize this? Thanks View attachment 646220

For me an Ozone generator is the only thing that work

 

[Bahabp100]

I never thought about that! I actually have one since I used to be a car broker. I will give it a try. How "enclosed" was the space you used? I can try it in a bathroom.

Yes a bathroom works just make sure to ventilate before you breathe in there

 

[revkev]

Yes a bathroom works just make sure to ventilate before you breathe in there

I actually have one...its rated at 5000 whatever whatever. Did not work. Maybe I got a junk ozone (it didnt work for my car either). Which model do u have? I ended up putting it in a plastic bag and its now in my freezer.

 

[Cuvier]

I don't know if it would work on leather, but I got the stink out of an old Barbour waxed jacket with a soak in, believe it or not, cheap vodka. Try at your own risk .

I use the strongest cheap vodka I can find. Works wonders on cloth smells and doesn't leave a mark or scent behind. But that's more for organic stinks. Sweat and the like. Also works as a disinfectant killing the microbes. It might work on a wet dog type smell. Musty odors could be coming from it getting wet and not being properly dried. Hose the inside heavily and see what happens. If nothing else, take it to a professional cleaners.

 

[revkev]

Yea, its not a bad smell...But I think its the leather. I ran it through the washer (Im not scared but know which leathers to NOT do this with). I now have it in the freezer and will leave it for a week or so. But vodak...how do u apply? Vodka on wet rag and wipe?

 

[Cuvier]

Yea, its not a bad smell...But I think its the leather. I ran it through the washer (Im not scared but know which leathers to NOT do this with). I now have it in the freezer and will leave it for a week or so. But vodak...how do u apply? Vodka on wet rag and wipe?

I use a small sprayer bottle and will spray it fairly heavily.

 

[AeroFan_07]

This has been discussed extensively in the Outerwear section.

For me - the "best" solution I've found, if you really cannot stand the smell, is to turn the jacket inside out and wash it on the Gentle or Delicate cycle on your washer, then turn it back to normal leather side out and do it again. Do NOT put it in the dryer (it will shrink badly). Let it hang-dry and maybe put a fan on Low facing the jacket. It will need few conditionings after all that washing. *Pro-tip* - be sure to choose a detergent you like, or a "free & clear" type, as you may not get that smell out for a long time.

One other note - heavily "smoked" in jackets this really still did not cut it. I wound up giving a couple of those away, or selling on ebay with the smell clearly disclosed.