Smelly Welding Leathers

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Well a welding topic peripherally, I guess.  Has anyone figured out how to freshen up protective welding leather wear.  I have an apron and a cape-sleeves that still have mucho life left, but have absorbed lots of sweat and that weld-smoke smell.  I air them out on my porch to keep them out of the rain and dew for a couple of days, but as soon as return them to my shop, it'll knock you over when you open the door after they spend one night in there.  Kinda smells like there was a fire in a badly kept locker room.  Hpw do I get thet smell out?  Hate to buy new duds when these are in such good shape-pretty smoked up, but good.At the Lake
Reply:To be honest with you I throw mine in the washer and even run them threw the drier. I have two sets of sleeves one is cloth top with pig skin sleeve and full jacket with cloth center and cow hide sleeves. never had a problem with washing them, thought they might get hard (leather part) but they didn'tno you cant fix it with a hot pass.BORN TO LOSE, LIVE TO WIN.
Reply:bikeitswift,On a search engine type in galls. Galls is a public safety and clothing business. When you get to the Galls page, up in the right hand coener type in deodorizer. Thay have a brand called Vest-Guard that works really well deodorizing bullet proof vests. I used it on mine because I could not take the stench any longer. Those vests make you sweat something terrible and get real nasty over time. I don't see why it would not work for leather. Leather will probably soak the stuff up pretty good so you might want to consider getting 2 bottles. I can soak my vest about 5 times with one bottle..............good luck
Reply:I've washed my half/jacket(leather) in the washer with no problems.  I just let it air-dry for a day or two.  It might have been a little stiff for a few days, but it broke right in.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Wash my sleeves (leather) and bib also a full leather jacket right in the wash with soap and fabric softener then the dryer. Works great and not stiff.    revpol
Reply:Just to update anyone cruising through here, I ran 'em through the washing machine as suggested by a couple of folks, and it worked!  I put them on low spin, then air dryed them out on the porch until just damp, then ran them through "air dry" for a few minutes to soften them up...only problem there was they left a dye residue in my dryer, which wiped right out with Isopropol Alcohol, but I would avoid that step...(Why do they dye the stuff anyway??  Not many "pretty" welding shops around)  Ahhh, now when I grab my next chunk of rusty metal to broil, I'll smell fresh as a mountain meadow!  Thanks, guys!At the Lake
Reply:Good times   no you cant fix it with a hot pass.BORN TO LOSE, LIVE TO WIN.
Reply:If the leather gets to stiff - rub in leather conditioner or saddle soap (available at all leather and boot outlets).  They will also help extend the life of the leather.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below