The stretching or shrinking of leather is natural. You will find that over time, the fit of your leather jacket changes. To get that amazing fit, you either would have to shrink or stretch your leather jacket. The Risks of Shrinking Owning a leather jacket may be costly. Aside from the initial cost that, upon purchase, the maintenance would also add up. Poorer maintenance of the leather jacket may result in shrinkage. It can also cause bad stretching of the lining. The jacket can shrink in many ways. The results may sometimes be something we do not expect. This is something you should expect, especially when the lining is wool. Also, you should note that different types of leather can shrink or stretch in different ways. One such example is horsehide. It can naturally shrink when it gets wet. The type of leather that stretches and shrinks the most is lamb. On the other hand, calf leather exhibits minimal shrinkage over time. When a leather jacket shrinks, it eventually affects the cut of the garment as a whole. It may look softer, and its grain may look more obvious. Edges may curl. Its color can even change over time. Over time, the material will look distressed. It can even look splotchy at times. Preparations Before it Shrinks There are a few things to do before a leather jacket shrinks. One of them is to apply beeswax or water stain protectant to the garment. This will prevent the leather jacket from staining. But it will allow the jacket to shrink. Here are a few ways to do it. Tub of Water If there is one thing, you need to remember, use a plastic tub of water. Do not use a basin. The leather dye will stain your sink or your basin. Use a plastic tub. Submerge the jacket for about 5 to 10 minutes. Once in a while, you can use the sleeve of the jacket to rub the jacket surface. This should assist the leather in absorbing more water. Remove the leather jacket from the water and rid it of water. Zip the leather up. This should stop the leather from becoming wavy. Dry the leather jacket for about two days. This may be a bit tedious as you have to check every couple of hours. If the towel is wet, replace it. Through a Washing Machine Yes, you can shrink your leather through a washing machine. Just go for a regular cycle. Use cold water. Never add detergent. Take the jacket out of the water and squeeze out the excess water. Pull the zippers so it does not get wavy. Put into the dryer on medium heat. You also have the option to add a few dry towels while the leather jacket is inside the dryer. This should cushion the jacket and will prevent it from getting scratches. Shrinking by Using a Bottle Sprayer This should be the safest option in shrinking a leather jacket. You start by zipping the jacket up. Spray it with warm water. Make sure that you do not wet the lining as well as the cuffs. Also, keep the waist area safe from the water. When spraying, make sure that you spray it just enough. There is no need to saturate the whole leather jacket. Use a pillow cover to wrap the jacket into. Dry it in the dryer and use the lowest setting possible. You should also check the jacket once in a while. Make sure it shrinks beautifully. When the jacket is a bit dry, remove it from the dryer. Zip it up to avoid the leather getting wavy. Wear it for a few hours. If needed, do the process again from the very beginning. Tip: if you so choose, you can wear the jacket under the scorching sun for a few hours. There is no need for the dryer, should this be the case. After the Shrinking If you think shrinking is the last step, you’re wrong. Once done, you can apply a leather conditioner to the jacket. This would prevent the jacket from drying out.