How to Get Wrinkles Out of Leather Without Ruining It
Wrinkles in leather are frustrating—especially when they appear on a favorite jacket, bag, or pair of shoes. The good news? Learning how to get wrinkles out of leather doesn’t require expensive tools or risky hacks.
Whether your leather has been folded, stored improperly, or exposed to moisture, this guide walks you through safe, effective, and leather-approved methods to smooth wrinkles while preserving the material’s integrity.
Before jumping in, remember: leather is skin. Treat it gently, and it will last for years.
Why Leather Gets Wrinkled in the First Place
Leather wrinkles form for several common reasons:
Improper storage (folding instead of hanging)
Dryness and lack of conditioning
Heat or humidity exposure
Normal wear on high-movement areas
Different leathers react differently. For example, lambskin wrinkles faster than cowhide due to its softness. If you want a deeper material breakdown, this guide on what is lambskin leather explains why it behaves this way.
9 Safe & Effective Ways to Remove Wrinkles from Leather
1. Use Steam (The Safest Method)
Steam relaxes leather fibers naturally.
How to do it:
Hang the leather item in a steamy bathroom
Keep it away from direct water contact
Let gravity smooth the wrinkles over 15–20 minutes
This is especially effective for leather jackets. If you’re dealing with jacket-specific issues, see this full guide on how to clean leather jackets.
2. Wear It Naturally
Sometimes, the simplest solution works best.
Put the jacket on
Move naturally
Let body heat soften the creases
This works particularly well for men’s leather jackets made from soft hides.
3. Apply Leather Conditioner
Dry leather wrinkles more easily.
Use a high-quality conditioner
Apply with a microfiber cloth
Massage gently in circular motions
Conditioning also helps prevent cracking. For long-term care, this leather jacket care guide is worth bookmarking.
According to the Leather Conservation Centre, regular conditioning helps relax leather fibers, reduce surface tension, and prevent permanent creasing caused by dryness.
4. Use a Low-Heat Iron (With Extreme Caution)
⚠️ Only if steaming doesn’t work.
Place a thick cotton cloth between iron and leather
Set iron to lowest heat
Never use steam directly on the iron
This method is best reserved for thicker leathers like cowhide. Learn more about cowhide characteristics in what is cowhide leather.
5. Let Gravity Do the Work
Hang leather properly:
Use wide, padded hangers
Zip or button the jacket
Leave it hanging for several days
This is one of the safest ways to remove light wrinkles, especially for women’s leather jackets.
6. Use Leather Softening Products
Wrinkles can be a sign of stiffness.
Products designed to soften leather can help relax fibers. If your leather feels rigid overall, this guide on how to soften stiff leather goes step by step.
7. Avoid Hair Dryers (Here’s Why)
Many people try hair dryers—but this often dries leather further, making wrinkles worse.
As explained by Encyclopedia Britannica’s leather overview, excessive or uncontrolled heat accelerates moisture loss in leather, making wrinkles and fiber damage more severe over time.
8. Professional Leather Pressing
For expensive or sentimental items:
Use a professional leather cleaner
Especially recommended for lambskin or vintage pieces
This is safer than experimenting at home.
9. Prevent Wrinkles in the Future
Prevention saves time and money:
Store jackets hanging, never folded
Keep leather away from direct sunlight
Condition every 3–6 months
Use breathable garment bags
For storage best practices, see leather jacket storage tips.
Can You Remove Deep Creases Permanently?
Light wrinkles? Yes.
Deep creases? Sometimes.
If wrinkles are caused by fiber damage, they may soften—but not fully disappear. In such cases, conditioning and proper storage still dramatically improve appearance.
If cracks appear alongside wrinkles, stop immediately and refer to how to repair cracked leather.