How to soften leather: 4 easy ways to condition leather at home
Leather is a natural material and can get stiffer with time. Which can lead to cracking and becoming uncomfortable. Long-term usage without proper care causes the leather to become stiff and dry. Stiff and dry leather highly is also susceptible to scratches and marks.
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Type of leather and stiffness
It also depends on the type of leather. For instance, cow leather is stiffer usually and used in furniture and protective bikers’ leather jackets. Lamb skin and deer skin are softer and used in the fashion industry by high-end brands also, goat skin is softer and it is water resistant to some extent.
why leather stiffens
-Inappropriate storing
-High heat and putting leather good in the dryer
-Using leather without ever moisturizing it
-Age of leather
Note- For any new leather care product, it’s a good practice to test a small, inconspicuous area of your jacket to ensure it won’t damage the leather or alter its color.
How to soften leather
If you want to know how to soften leather goods like expensive leather garments, leather shoes, leather car seats, leather accessories, leather sofas, and leather luggage, etc. then we are sharing 4 easy methods to do so. Let’s get started-
1. oil
Natural oils like jojoba oil, avocado oil, mink oil, neatsfoot oil, and coconut oil can be used to soften leather goods. Before applying oil put the leather item in the sun for 10-15 minutes to allow the pores to open so that it can soak the oil. Now dip a soft clean cloth in oil and apply it evenly on the surface by gently rubbing, make sure it is evenly coated, you can apply multiple layers if necessary, leave the leather good to adsorb the oil and dry naturally.
2. water and vinegar
Vinegar is good for leather conditioner but due to its corrosive nature, it should not be used directly on leather. Make a solution with 10% white vinegar and 90% distilled water in a spray bottle. Now lightly spray the leather, working on the surface evenly. Dry the excess solution with a microfiber cloth and let it dry for 4 or 5 hours. After the leather has completely dried, apply a leather conditioner to prevent dryness.
3. leather conditioner
The best product to soften and condition your precious leather goods is Leather conditioner. A good leather conditioner not only conditions but also strengthens the leather and makes it more flexible. You can find leather conditioners online or through leather goods retailers near you. Leather conditioner is fully safe to use on leather and manufacturers of leather products recommend it and may even include with leather item purchase.
Put some leather conditioner on a clean soft cloth. Now spread it evenly on the leather surface by circular or broad stroke motion. Only one coat is enough for the leather to shine like new. You should condition them once or twice a year according to usage, this is how to prevent stiffness and dryness of leather.
Note- Do not pour leather conditioner directly on the leather surface, since it can cause cracking.
4. Vaseline on leather
Vaseline is a very convenient and cheap moisturizer. Widely available in almost every retail store, the petroleum jelly will put an instant shine on your leather item and also make it water-resistant at the same time but it has some major disadvantages as it can clog the pores of the leather and will not nourish it to the extent that the leather needs.
We recommend using leather-specific care products. Only in a few situations like you are out and about and no other product is available, should Vaseline be used as a substitute.
First, wipe the leather surface with a damp cloth, you can also use rubbing alcohol if available. Now scoop some Vaseline jelly on a clean cloth and apply it gently on the leather surface in the same fashion we applied the leather conditioner. Clean the excess petroleum jelly with a clean and dry cloth.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article on How to soften leather goods.
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