Can we talk about something dirty?

[steve white]

How do you clean things that cannot just be thrown in the washer. I'm talking about the armpits of tartan lined waxed cotton jackets, the lining of leather jackets, etc. Things that would be either a pain to send to just any cleaners, or in the case of heavily waxed garments, I don't want to have to go through a whole re-treat. Some garments even says, "just sponge off any mud." Well, that only goes so far.
I try to never wear dirty clothing under such a jacket, but we all sweat, and hunting camps are not always the Ritz Carlton, and actual bathing not an option....
What procedures or products do you use for such garments?

 

[grand veneur]

I have never cleaned leather jackets, leather trousers or wax jackets. I only wipe off local dirt with a sponge when necessary. After a certain amount of time, this clothing acquires a special patina that gives it its originality. Dirt should also protect against the cold. Joking aside, that are old-fashioned items of clothing from times when cleaning clothes was not the most important occupation. I also like such clothes, but I know that there are much better ones available nowadays, clothes that are more in line with our current habits.

 

[Challer]

Many cleaners can clean leather goods and the lining

 

[Russ16]

You mention the lining of leather and waxed cotton jackets. So I assume you’re worried about odor. For these I might spray them with some febreeze and hang them up inside out in a place with some air flow to air out. For the outside of these garments I just clean them with a mild soap and cloth maybe a soft brush for something stubborn.

 

[grand veneur]

As written, the dirt on the clothes also protect against the cold. The dirt and the bad smells have never killed anyone, but some people died from freezing to death.

 

[Lumaberpat]

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

 

[rookhawk]

How do you clean things that cannot just be thrown in the washer. I'm talking about the armpits of tartan lined waxed cotton jackets, the lining of leather jackets, etc. Things that would be either a pain to send to just any cleaners, or in the case of heavily waxed garments, I don't want to have to go through a whole re-treat. Some garments even says, "just sponge off any mud." Well, that only goes so far.
I try to never wear dirty clothing under such a jacket, but we all sweat, and hunting camps are not always the Ritz Carlton, and actual bathing not an option....
What procedures or products do you use for such garments?

Several products come to mind.

For leather, lexol is a classic "do no harm" lanolin that can rejuvenate leather and may bubble stink to the surface that can be wiped away. Saddle soap is another option.

For waxed cotton coats, if you can't gently sponge the stank away, you need to use warm dawn dish soap on it to remove the filth and the oil, then you need to apply wax once more after the cotton is dry.

For liners and any other cloth item you can't run through a washing machine, you can use fragrance free detergent and a sponge to hand wash. If you're worried about harming the article, do it lightly and let it dry, then do it again. (take small bites)

Or, ignore all this and do the bachelor / teenager trick for filthy things, cover it in febreeze and pretend it wasn't worn by a turkish prisoner doing a nickel for larceny.

 

[cajunchefray]

You mention the lining of leather and waxed cotton jackets. So I assume you’re worried about odor. For these I might spray them with some febreeze and hang them up inside out in a place with some air flow to air out. For the outside of these garments I just clean them with a mild soap and cloth maybe a soft brush for something stubborn.

@rookhawk suggestions are good. Living in the swamps here, mud, sweat, and clean air are the issues. Cleaning leather with Saddle Soap, treated with Mink Oil, and plenty of dry air ventilation. Waxed canvas, clean with mild Dawn soap solution, plenty of dry air, Ballistol treatment.
The smell takes on its own "patina" over time. I still have my dad's duck hunting vest from decades of use, cleaned with Ballistol.