Full chaps - in the washer & dryer?

[awaywego]

Yes, just like the title says - a woman at my barn said that to get my full chaps soft and useable again, to put them in the washer and dryer! :eek:

I haven’t used them so they are STIFF but I think my legs would love to use them for the winter. They’ve stretched quite a bit so I do have room for shrinkage…but do I dare try this?!

The woman who recommended this to me has been around since the dawn of time - and of course wears her full chaps! - but I believe her sanity is called into question on a daily basis.

[Foxglove]

I make chaps, both leather and ultra suede. In my experience with leather chaps, washing is possible using the right products and temperature, but never put in dryer! Ultra suede can benefit by washing and drying --just make sure to take out immediately as they can wrinkle. A badly wrinkled pair of chaps made out of ultra suede can be fixed by placing in the dryer. I’d suggest calling your closest Tandy Leather Company --they might even have an 800 number --and ask. But I sure would not put leather into the dryer or even leave out in hot sun . . .leather will stiffen.

Foxglove

[awaywego]

[QUOTE=Foxglove;7909096]
I make chaps, both leather and ultra suede. In my experience with leather chaps, washing is possible using the right products and temperature, but never put in dryer! Ultra suede can benefit by washing and drying --just make sure to take out immediately as they can wrinkle. A badly wrinkled pair of chaps made out of ultra suede can be fixed by placing in the dryer. I’d suggest calling your closest Tandy Leather Company --they might even have an 800 number --and ask. But I sure would not put leather into the dryer or even leave out in hot sun . . .leather will stiffen.

Foxglove[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I should have said that they are suede. How do I know if they are “ultra suede”?

[Dramapony_misty]

Real leather that is nappy= suede
Synthetic nappy fabric (usually like a thick microfiber cloth) = Ultra suede.

I’ve washed my real suede chaps in the washing machine many times. Cold water, delicate cycle, Pepede leather wash as detergent, hang over a drying rack out of direct sunlight and away from heat. This is also my protocol for sheepskin pads.

The worst thing that happened to my chaps (Black western show chaps) was that they started to fade from the washings and summer time shows, so I did have to re-dye them once. If they were just for practice though, I wouldn’t have bothered with the dye.

[awaywego]

[QUOTE=Dramapony_misty;7909125]
Real leather that is nappy= suede
Synthetic nappy fabric (usually like a thick microfiber cloth) = Ultra suede.

I’ve washed my real suede chaps in the washing machine many times. Cold water, delicate cycle, Pepede leather wash as detergent, hang over a drying rack out of direct sunlight and away from heat. This is also my protocol for sheepskin pads.

The worst thing that happened to my chaps (Black western show chaps) was that they started to fade from the washings and summer time shows, so I did have to re-dye them once. If they were just for practice though, I wouldn’t have bothered with the dye.[/QUOTE]

Ah-ha. Thanks for the clarification on suede vs ultra-suede.

So you put yours in the washer, but not the dryer? I would think that the washer would only make the leather stiffer - this is part of what I don’t get. Of course, the other part is the idea of putting leather in the dryer

[DMK]

smooth leather chaps in the wash? Absolutely, just be sure to put them on and wear them when they come out to make sure they “fit” you. After that, I would suggest using a leather conditioner, followed by wearing them. Nothing makes leather pliable quite like use+care, but mostly use.