How to Save Your Leather Jacket from the Dreaded White Coating: A Complete Guide to Fatty Spew

Leather jackets have always been the signature items because of their versatility and practicality. However, when you take your favorite leather jacket out of the closet and unfortunately notice a white film on it, a panic always follows. What is that? Mold? Has the jacket been spoiled for life? Don’t worry; let us first introduce you to the phenomenon known as fatty spew. In this guide, we’ll explain what fatty spew is, why it happens, and, even more importantly, how you can quickly and effortlessly eliminate it and make sure that it never happens again.

What is Fatty Spew?

Fatty spew is a white, waxy coating often found on leather jackets or other leather articles. This is not, as you would imagine, mold or a manifestation of the fact that your leather has been ruined. Rather, fatty spew occurs when the inside oils and fats in the leather rise to the surface. Usually, such effects are caused by changes in temperature and humidity. While it may be disturbing to see a thick white coating on your nice leather jacket, fatty spew is absolutely natural and very much treatable.

Why Does Fatty Spew Happen?

The most common cause of fatty spew is the change in temperature and humidity. When leather gets hot in the daytime and cold at night, the fats and oils embedded inside the leather swell and retract. This causes them to ooze out to the outer surface forming a white coating. This is particularly prevalent in leathers such as Horween horsehide and kangaroo leather, though it can affect any leather product.

When you live in a humid climate or if the temperature where you store leather jackets goes through extreme variations, you will see the fatty spew more often. It is vital to note that this is a cosmetic problem and not a structural one. The damages will not make your leather jacket useless; it will need only a bit of care to restore the coat to its former glory.

Common Misconceptions About Fatty Spew

People tend to confuse fatty spew with either mold or an indication of the skin being damaged beyond repair. This is not the case. Fatty spew is a surface problem and your leather is not destroyed by it. Another common belief is that the white film is a stain of a permanent nature or that the leather has discolored over time. The good news is that fatty spew is reversible and can easily be treated with the right method.

How to Identify Fatty Spew on Your Leather Goods

In order to identify fatty spew, start by examining the surface of the leather coat. It is usual for fatty spew to present itself as a whole white patch that feels somewhat waxy when touched with the finger. When compared to mold, which tends to be patchy, furry, and colorful in most cases, fatty spew will be evenly distributed. When in doubt, attempt to rub a dry cloth over a small spot. If some of the white residue begins shifting, but some of it lingers at the surface, then it is a fatty spew.

Effective Methods to Remove Fatty Spew

Interestingly, the answer for how to remove fatty spew from leather is quite simple – use a blow dryer. Here is how you can go about it:

Adjust the temperature to its high setting

It is always good to have a temperature that is high enough to melt a waxy sticky substance but not so high that can burn the leather.

Place the blow dryer a few inches away from the leather surface

Rest the blast of warm air over the affected area. Then, rotate the blow dryer from side to side, so that heat is not centered in a single place.

It is amazing how the fatty spew will begin to clear off

 Heat will melt the fatty spew and suck it back into the leather. The white coating will start to disappear to be replaced with the actual leather color and luster.

Repeat if necessary

For bigger areas or thicker layers, you may have to cover the section a couple of times.

Alternative Solutions and What Not to Do

Though the blow dryer method is probably the most effective and the fastest way of getting rid of the fatty spew some individuals may opt for different ways. For example, wiping it with a damp cloth or leather moisturizers. However, such alternatives are not as satisfying. Rubbing with a cloth may remove only the surface layer of the spew whilst the underlying cause remains, and with moisturizers, one runs the risk of masking the spew but not eradicating the problem.

It is also very important to avoid using harsh chemicals or excessive water, as this may cause harm to the leather along with other problems such as staining or even cracking.

Preventing Fatty Spew in the Future

To reduce the chance of fatty spew recurrence, it would help to look into the following prevention tips:

• Leather goods must be kept in a cool and dry environment. Do not put it in the basement or the attic, or where there are high moisture levels or extreme temperature variations.
• Regular treatment with leather conditioner may be necessary. It won’t completely stop fatty spew, instead, regular conditioning of the leather will ensure that the leather does not dry out.
• Do not expose the leather fabric to the sunlight. Sunlight can warm up the leather and cause the oils and fats in the sublayer to rise to the surface.

Conclusion

Fatty spew might be the most unwelcome surprise, but with the right approach, it is no big deal. Once you’ve grasped the concept of what fatty spew is and how to properly deal with it, you can keep your leather jacket looking brand new. Remember that your leather is not destroyed; it just requires a little attention to bring it back to life. Next time you notice that rather annoying white layer don’t rush to panic—reach for a blow dryer.