Article: Daily Life at the Nagoya Store (Episode 8) Can you wash leather jackets?

Share

Jun 10, 2024

Daily Life at the Nagoya Store (Episode 8) Can you wash leather jackets?

Here we bring you some informative stories from the store manager, Kita, and new employee, Shirasawa, that are snippets from everyday life at the Nagoya store.

Episode 8: Can you wash a leather jacket?

Shirasawa	Well, I've been sweeping outside, but it's hot (sweat)
Kita	Yes, it's hot. It's definitely summer. But it's just before the rainy season. It's difficult to adjust because the temperatures in this region are very clear.
Shirasawa	Isn't the climate the same all over Japan?
Kita	I was born and raised in the Sotobo region of Chiba, so even in the hottest summers, the temperature never reached 35°C, and in the winter it rarely dropped below freezing. It seems that there are large temperature differences in basins like Kyoto and Nagoya.
Shirasawa	That's right, it's subtly different.
Kita	For example, Nagoya is a car-oriented city with a lot of asphalt. Especially in the summer, the heat from the sun makes the temperature feel higher, so it was hard for me to get used to it. I sweat a lot.
Shirasawa	That's true, but sweat isn't good for your leather jacket, is it?
Kita	That's right, it can cause blemishes, so it's good to have early care and preventative measures.Maybe use a water repellent spray. By the way, do you remember what we talked about the cleaning the other day?
Shirasawa	Can you wash a leather jacket?
Kita	Yes. Kadoya also has a cleaning service called "Reflether" that specializes in cleaning leather products. Not only does it clean the leather, it also nourishes it and helps maintain it.
	Click here for the Refrazer homepage
Shirasawa	Oh, it's on the homepage too!
Kita	Please check it out when you have time. We can also accept orders at our own stores, so that's also our job.
Shirasawa	got it. By the way, are there any customers who have to send their clothes to the dry cleaners every time they wear them?
Kita	No, no, if you repeatedly clean an item just because it's a little dirty, it will fade, shrink, or lose its shape due to the natural materials, so you need to explain this to your customers, especially when washing it for the first time. Too much of a good thing is bad.
Shirasawa	I see. So about once a year?
Kita	Hmm. Rather than regularly, I think it's fine to clean it whenever there's noticeable dirt or mold. I think it's fine if you're doing a good job of self-care. Self-care products are available in stores.
	Cream, milk, oil, cleaner, cloth, mouton gloves, etc. We also carry various types of brushes other than those shown in the image.
Shirasawa	So, when you're in a pinch, you can rely on RefLaser!
Kita	Yeah, that's a good thing to say. The jacket is fine, but I personally recommend the boots too.
Shirasawa	Do you have any boots?
Kita	There's nothing special about it, but the gaps between the sole and the upper and the stitching have been cleaned up nicely, giving it a nice washed feel. Besides, people with nice boots look smart, right?
Shirasawa	is that so?
Kita	I think a leather jacket looks cooler when it's well-worn, but boots look cooler when they're polished to a high shine.
Shirasawa	Well, there really wasn't anything special. This is just my personal opinion.
Kita	Well, well, well. Although they only repair their own products, Ref Leather also welcomes products from other companies, and they can clean leather products such as gloves, bags, furs and some combination products, so Shirasawa-kun, why not give it a try?
Shirasawa	Yes, I'll try it if I get the chance. By the way, the boots we were talking about reminded me that the toes of boots turn black, right? Can I make them look nicer with Refinished Leather?
Kita	That's a gear shift pedal mark, right? That's a bit tricky. I think it will make it look a little nicer though. Changes in leather such as fading, scratches, and heat shrinkage are not dirt and cannot be cleaned. Even if the blackening on the toes comes off, the scratches will remain. However, if the color has faded, it is possible to paint the surface with an airbrush, so the color can be repaired.
Shirasawa	It's like repainting it. Is it recoloring?
Kita	That's right. However, since it is not a "dyeing process", if the surface adhesion rate of the paint is poor, the original material will be exposed by physical contact. There are some leathers that can be done with this and some that can't, and you need experience to take on the job, so first ask a senior staff member or directly to Ref Leather.
Shirasawa	got it. I think of dark spots on the toes of my boots as proof that I'm a biker.
Kita	Yeah, I think that's good. While we're on the subject of boots, do you know the difference between work boots and riding boots?
Shirasawa	There seems to be a difference in safety and operability.
Kita	Yes, but riding boots don't have steel toes for safety reasons.
Shirasawa	What?! It's not included?
Kita	That's right. Because...