How to wash leather pants – How to properly care for your leather pants

Do your Lederhosen still look good but smell like smoked ham after an evening in the beer tent? Then start with the simplest thing: airing them out. A few days in fresh air work wonders, and you don't have to do anything else. Important: don't hang them in direct sunlight and protect them from rain, as moisture is not good for untreated Lederhosen.

If airing out isn't enough and mustard, beer, or other Wiesn souvenirs have landed on your trousers, you can gently treat the affected areas with kernel soap or soft soap. For suede, it's best to use a soft brush; for smooth leather, a damp cloth is sufficient. Afterward, be sure to let them dry lying flat for several days, never hang them – the weight of the leather could otherwise distort the shape.

When washing your Lederhose, one rule applies above all: as cold as possible. Warm or even hot water will make the leather harden and become brittle. So always wash your Lederhose with cold or lukewarm water at most, whether by hand or in the machine.

Regular wear is the best thing you can do for your Lederhose. It keeps the leather supple and gives it the exact patina that makes a real Krachlederne. However, if you only bring out your Lederhose once a year for Wiesn, you should help it regularly with leather oil.

In the past, people used to rub Lederhosen with butter. This still works today, but leather oil is much more pleasant due to the smell. Simply put a few drops on a soft cloth and rub the trousers with it. The leather stays soft, supple, and gets a beautiful shine.

Even more important is a good leather protection spray. It impregnates the surface, protects against moisture, and prevents cracks from forming. It's especially worthwhile to re-impregnate the trousers before the Wiesn season.

After the season is before the season. If you store your Lederhose properly, you'll enjoy it for many years. The most important thing: dry, dark, and well-ventilated. A normal wardrobe is perfect. A damp cellar, on the other hand, is the worst thing you can do to your trousers; the leather will become brittle and moldy.

It's best to hang the trousers on a sturdy hanger or lay them flat in the closet. And if you're storing them, oil them once more beforehand so the leather doesn't dry out over the winter.

When in doubt: take your Lederhose to the dry cleaners

Some stains simply can't be removed yourself – and that's perfectly okay. A professional leather cleaner knows exactly what they're doing and will surely get your trousers back in shape. Many cleaners also offer oiling and impregnation services, so your trousers will be like new afterwards.

The costs, depending on the cleaning service and the degree of soiling, are usually between €20 and €40. For a high-quality deer leather Lederhose that is meant to last for decades, this is money well invested.