All this drying is making me nervous. I would think it should be dried slowly... if it dries out, it could crack, or get really hard and icky.

Bated breath............

The jacket really seems fine. If I do this ever again, I would follow the suggestion that that other blogger had read (but didn't follow) to add some hair conditioner to the water in the washer. Seems like it would be the perfect treatment for leather.

Is the smell gone?

Oh, goodness no, carter. Still smells the same.

On that score, it's now officially hopeless.

Darn!!!!

Not sure if this is helpful but I use white vineger to clean just about everything

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Bad.....of-Leather

April what did you use in the wash? I am wondering if you could try a solution that I use for sports gear and hockey gear. I throw all my kids ice hockey gear in the wash - including leather gloves. I use 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup white vinegar, wash powder and enough water to cover. I let is soak in this about 1 hours before putting it in the machine. It works extremely well. I think it might remove the must smell.

I've used a similar formula and method to Glory's for musty smelling camping and backpacking gear. Doesn't seem you'd have much to lose at this point.

This is killing me! What does the jacket LOOK like!?!?!

Oh dear, what a disaster. All that work and now your whole kitchen smells like musty leather (in addition to the jacket itself)? This is bringing back bad memories of my DIY days. I'm so sorry. Nordstrom should be very understanding about this, since it has smelled funky from the get-go.

RC, do you mean how does it look since getting washed, or how does it look full stop? It looks just the same as it ever did, really. Here's a thread with picture from when I got it, with tags still on:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ms-jackets

This is hilarious! The jacket is beautiful. Is it olive? Grey? I can't believe there was no damage from putting it in the washer. I've 'gentle washed' some 'dry clean' only items with success, but also ruined a few too. Cudos to you for your crazy experiment. I only wish it had worked out for you!

I'm with Glory, use white vinegar and let it soak in the machine for about an hour. Then wash and do that several times (like 3-4). I had a vintage 1940's leather jacket I did that with that had a musty smell nothing would solve (including professional leather cleaning and deodorizing). Then I put it in the dryer on low heat for about 2 hours and then left it outside to air dry for about 2 weeks.

Yeah, a lot of work. But it worked. Soaking and washing with vinegar like 4-5 times and almost a month's worth of air drying --but sooooooo, worth it. This was a really rare brand and model of vintage moto leather jacket.

Also, leather specialists vary greatly in their abilities to clean leather effectively. I've got one here in L.A that when I've sent newly acquired vintage musty leather jackets to and specified clean AND deodorize --the funkiest smelling vintage leather acquisitions have come back completely odor free. So don't give up hope.

You may be right in assuming it's the leather itself. It may also be the tannery leather smell you're experiencing. A lot of leather jackets from Morocco, India and Pakistan have a VERY distinct odor to them from their tanning and dying process that my sensitive nose finds offensive. (When I was in Morocco at the tannery they actually give you mint to hold up to your nose to counteract the awful smell while you're there visiting --and you can smell the tannery section from blocks away).

Usually a combo of speciality cleaning and deoderizing along with leaving them to air out eventually causes the tanning process smell to disappear.

I would try it again with the baking soda and vinegar solution. It could not hurt.

I guess I'll have to decide how much more time I want to put into this jacket.

And, RC, the color is a deep olive. I love everything about it except the aroma.

First, I am super impressed that you decided to wash an expensive leather jacket in the washing machine.:) Second, I am very sorry that it didn't pay off. I I think if it were mine, I would just put on some extra perfume on the days I want to wear this jacket, try to ignore the smell and enjoy my killer jacket:) In time, the jacket will absorb your odor. It particularly helps if you consistently wear the same perfume.

I had a raincoat once that was made out of some kind of rubbery material. It smelled awful but I wore it anyway, thinking the smell would go away (the scent was faint enough I figured no one else notoced). I washed it. No dice. Finally the smell started bugging me so much I got rid of it.

Bella, I think you're right. If I spritz enough Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay on the lining, who's to notice a little mustiness...

Bummer! Smells are a deal breaker for me. I just put a scarf in the Goodwill bag because it has a funky smell (it was a cheapie from TJMaxx so no big deal) but I think I might retrieve it and try to wash it before I give up.

It may be worth giving the vinegar treatment a try. Nordstrom might also take it back.