How to Get Smells Out of a Leather Jacket or Vest (Smoke, Sweat, Damp, Storage)

Short answer: Match the method to the smell. New leather smell fades with airing. Smoke needs repeated airing and an absorber. Sweat needs the liner and collar cleaned. Damp and mildew need slow drying and a careful cleaner. Avoid soaking the leather, and test every product on a hidden spot first.

Identify the smell first

New-leather smell

A new jacket smells of leather because it is leather, along with the chemicals used to tan and finish it. It is normal, and it fades. Hang the jacket on a wide hanger in a well-ventilated room, away from direct sun and heaters, and give it time. Wearing it also helps, as warmth and air release the smell gradually. There is no fixed number of days, because it varies with the leather and the finish.

If the smell stays strong for a long time or smells sharply chemical, ask the seller. A strong, lingering smell can be a sign of a coated or low-grade material; see how to tell real leather from fake.

Smoke smell

Smoke clings to leather and, even more, to the lining. Be patient and repeat.

1. Air the jacket outdoors on a hanger in the shade, on a dry day, for several hours. Repeat over several days.
2. Place the jacket in a large bag or box with an open container of baking soda, not touching the leather, and leave it for a day or two. Baking soda absorbs odors from the air around it. Check the jacket afterward and stop if you see any residue or change.
3. Wipe the inside lining with a cloth lightly dampened with water, then let it dry fully.
4. Repeat as needed.

Avoid perfumed sprays. They cover the smell rather than remove it, and they can mark the leather.

Sweat and body odor

This smell lives in the lining, collar and underarms more than in the leather itself. Focus there.

• Turn the jacket inside out if possible and let it air.
• Wipe the lining with a cloth dampened with a little water or a mild, fabric-safe cleaner. Do not saturate it.
• Dry it slowly, away from heat.
• If the lining is removable, check the care label before washing it.

Leather vests have no sleeves or sleeve lining, so smell collects at the arm openings and the inside of the body. Wipe those areas and air the vest after each wear. For race suits, which have liners, follow the steps in how to clean a motorcycle race suit. On Leather Collection suits, a removable lining and a thermal removable lining are add-on options; see the product page. Ask the maker before washing any liner.

Damp and mildew

Damp smell means moisture has been trapped. Dry the jacket first, because a damp jacket will not lose its smell.

1. Hang the jacket in a dry, airy room, away from heat. Stuff the sleeves with paper or a towel to absorb moisture, and change it as it gets damp.
2. Once dry, brush off any light surface mold outdoors with a soft brush, and wipe with a barely damp cloth.
3. Test a leather cleaner on a hidden spot, and use it only as the label directs.
4. Air the jacket again.

If the mold is widespread, deep in the lining or keeps coming back, take the jacket to a leather specialist, and avoid breathing in dust from heavy mold. Our article on drying a wet leather jacket shows how to dry leather without damage. This is general care advice, not health advice.

Fur-lined jackets

Fur or shearling-style linings hold smell more than smooth ones and need a specific method. See how to wash a leather jacket with a fur lining.

The race suit angle

Race suits and one-piece leathers are worn tight over a base layer, so they collect sweat more than a loose jacket does, and the lining takes the hit. A few habits help:

• Open the suit fully and hang it up to air straight after each ride, not in the gear bag.
• Wear a clean base layer every time, so sweat goes into something washable.
• Wipe the inside of the collar, underarms and crotch area when the suit is dry.
• Check whether the liner is removable or washable before trying anything; many are fixed. On Leather Collection suits, a removable lining is an add-on option listed on the product page.

A suit that smells of sweat is also a suit whose lining is wearing out, so persistent odor is worth taking seriously. Browse leather race suits if it is time to replace one.

If the smell does not go away

Persistence matters more than strength. Several gentle rounds do less harm than one aggressive attempt, and some smells, especially old smoke, may never fully leave a lining.

What not to do

• Do not soak the jacket. Water can stain, stiffen and distort leather.
• Do not use a vinegar soak. Strong solutions can damage the finish.
• Do not use a heater or hair dryer. Heat dries leather fast and can crack it.
• Do not spray perfume or air freshener. It masks the smell and can mark the leather.
• Do not put it in the washing machine unless the care label says so.

Keeping gear fresh

• Air jackets and vests after each wear, outside the closet, for a few hours.
• Store them on wide hangers in a ventilated space, not in sealed plastic.
• Use a breathable garment bag for longer storage.
• Wipe the inside collar and underarms regularly.

For general care, see how to care for leather gear. In the same way, a leather suit used on warm days needs airing after every ride.

FAQs

How do you get cigarette smoke out of a leather jacket?

Air it repeatedly outdoors in the shade, use an absorber like baking soda in a closed container nearby, and clean the lining. It may take several rounds.

Does baking soda remove smell from leather?

It absorbs odors from the air around it, so it works when the jacket sits in an enclosed space with a bowl of it. Do not rub it into the leather.

Why does my new leather jacket smell?

New leather smells from the tanning and finishing process. The smell usually fades with airing and wear.

How do you get sweat smell out of a leather vest?

Air it, wipe the inside and arm openings with a lightly dampened cloth, and dry it slowly away from heat. Check the care label first.

Can you wash a leather jacket to remove odor?

Not in a washing machine. Use airing, absorbers and careful spot cleaning. A leather specialist can clean heavily affected jackets.

Shop men's leather vests and leather race suits.