Leather garments and bags are trendy and fashionable—but they are also delicate and require handling with care. At 6 Avenue Tailor, the best tailoring and alteration company in New York, the staff has experience working with every type of material, including leather, suede, shearling, and fur.

With more than 30 years of experience, the highly skilled tailors at 6 Avenue Tailor know how important it is to clean your leather items carefully, as improper care can damage fine leather. Follow these simple steps for how to clean all kinds of leather:

• Read The Label: Before you do anything, read the care instructions on the manufacturer’s label. If the tag says, “Don’t wash,” then don’t wash it! If the label doesn’t have specific instructions, always test any cleaning method on a small area to make sure it doesn’t damage the leather.

• Spot Wipe: If you have dirt or a food splotch on your jacket, try giving it a quick spot cleaning with a damp cloth. Never use a sponge or a rough cloth, as these can damage the leather. Once you have removed most of the dirt or grime, use a leather stain cleaning spray to eliminate the rest of it. You can also make some cleaners at home. For example, to remove normal spots from leather, combine one part lemon juice and one part cream of tartar. Apply the paste to the stain, work it in, let it sit for a few hours, and wipe it clean.

• Machine Wash: You can also machine wash some leather jackets. Before you throw your jacket in the wash, zip it up and empty the pockets. Then, turn the jacket inside out. Add dark socks or other soft clothing to the wash to cushion and protect the jacket. Use two tablespoons of mild liquid soap, and set the machine to wash with cold water on the gentle cycle. When the cycle is complete, stretch the sleeves, if necessary, and lay out to air dry in a place out of direct sunlight. Never put leather in the dryer. Once it’s dry, use saddle soap to revive if needed.

If your jacket also requires leather repair, the tailors at 6 Avenue Tailor offer sleeve shortening, tapering, zipper repair, and collar or shoulder repair.

For more information about the tailoring and alteration services offered at 6 Avenue Tailor, visit the website, or call the best tailors in New York at (212) 593-1925.