Liquid soap can be used to clean leather jackets if you apply it properly. However, a liquid soap spill, especially if the soap contains perfume or other additives, can set into the leather and appear unsightly. It is easy to remove a fresh liquid soap stain or spill from a leather jacket, and even removing a neglected and set stain is not difficult. Fresh soap stains are best removed with a wet sponge, whereas cleaning the jacket with saddle soap or leather cleaner will remove a set-in soap stain.
Moisten a soft, clean cloth with water. Blot as much soap as possible from the jacket with the cloth.
Moisten a sponge with water and work any remaining soap into a lather. Rinse the sponge thoroughly with water and remove any traces of soap or suds from the jacket.
Allow the jacket to air-dry away from any sources of artificial heat or direct sunlight. Check the area that you cleaned to see if the spot is still visible after a few hours of drying.
If the stain remains visible, moisten a clean, dry cloth and rub it over the surface of an open can of saddle soap to work up a lather. Rub the cloth over the remaining stain and the surrounding area of your jacket. Moisten another cloth and wipe away the excess lather.
Allow the jacket to air-dry and then buff the area with a soft, clean cloth.
Once the jacket has dried completely, apply a leather conditioner to the entire outer surface of the jacket according to the package directions.