Have you ever had an ugly food-related stain on a leather jacket? I’ve had two very noticeable unsightly very visible blotches on the fine, very expensive tan jacket I bought in Florence two decades ago. Twenty years later I finally tried to do something about them, and today I’m writing about ways to effectively remove such stains.

NOTE: First, a warning. You’ve seen countless TV ads urging Medicare recipients to consider choosing a new Medicare Advantage plan for 2025 by Dec. 7 or keeping their present one. One important detail is that advantage plans for next year have significantly changed. Here’s one significant change: My United HealthCare advantage plan will only cover preventive dental care with a $1,000 maximum. ConnectiCare will cover preventive care and items like root canals, crowns, bridges, extractions, dental implants, and more with a $2,000 maximum, which is why I’m switching to ConnectiCare. So, don’t hesitate to explore all the changes before deciding what’s the best plan for you. More below.

Now, removing leather stains:

Two weeks ago during our trip to the mineral baths in Saratoga Springs we were walking along Broadway, the main street, when we ducked into a leather shop to see its wares. I was wearing my stained leather jacket, which prompted my wife to ask store owner Nadia if she had any stain remover she’d recommend. She showed us a bottle of Overland, and we decided to try it out, using a Q-tip to spread it on part of the stain.

My wife sprays a microfiber cloth, then rubs it in circles on my stain. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Back home I researched other stain removers and purchased two well-reviewed products from Chemical Guys – Leather Cleaner and Sprayable Leather Cleaner/Conditioner. We then applied all three stain removers, each one on a distinct area of both stains. My wife also applied some makeup remover on part of the stain and was surprised that it actually did a good job.

Here’s the result of applying the three leather stain cleaners and makeup remover on the two stains. Soap and water made them even better. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

I also learned that simply applying soap and water worked. Why didn’t I ever try that???

After the liquids all dried, the first results were in: Overland did slightly better than Sprayable Leather, which did slightly better than Leather Cleaner. Soap and water lightened the two stains even more. (See photos).

But I must credit my wife for her brilliant idea: Buy a leather patch from online marketplace Etsy, which features scores of patches. I chose one ($3.50) and glued it on: Problem solved (See photo)!

The best solution to my stains: a leather patch glued on over the main stain … making me look more like a hiker. Photo courtesy of Harlan Levy

Advice: To avoid visible stains, go with a dark brown or black  jacket … which I also own.

P.S. Applying Sprayable Leather directly to our 25-year-old black sofa noticeably smoothed over the vein-like skein of cracks that have appeared over the years.

Medicare plans

Before the Dec. 7 Open Enrollment deadline to keep or change your Medicare plans, consult with a licensed and registered insurance agent or broker. Or use the official Health Insurance Marketplace to find plans you qualify for, get help signing up, or enroll in the plan you choose directly.

Go to Healthcare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center (800-318-2596) to compare and sign up for Marketplace plans.

You can also find local help through Marketplace’s online directory. You can schedule an in-person visit or a phone call or email with Navigators who give free, unbiased help.

But don’t pay callers claiming they’re from the Marketplace or the government and demanding cash, cryptocurrency, or your credit or debit card numbers so you can get or keep health coverage. And don’t give out your Social Security number or other personal, financial, or health information to someone you don’t know.

Good luck!

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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