If that happens, it can lose its original look and even become prone to cracking. Thankfully, there are a few ways in which you can soften leather. Before worrying about softening a leather item in your possession, it helps to know what leads to that stiffness.
Hands down the most common reason for stiff leather is due to improper storage. Leather needs to be maintained in cool, dry places. When the air gets to be too humid or the moisture content in the area is too high, leather is more prone to become stiff. Keeping your leather items in temperature and humidity-controlled areas can help keep the leather supple and pliable.
The good news is that your favorite leather item may not be at the end of the road. Take an assessment of the condition of the leather. If it is so stiff that it has begun cracking or has cracked throughout, you may not be able to salvage it.
You may have to give it a few days to see the full impact but should be able to make that item smooth and flexible again.
If it has stains or markings, check out our guide on how to remove ink from leather before you begin. This is commonly used for just such an occasion. It is not uncommon to see mink oil used for boots, bags, jackets, and any number of leather accessories. This method takes a little longer but the results are great.
Start by saturating a rag with the oil. Thoroughly apply it to your leather garment or accessory. Follow manufacturer instructions, but you may have to apply as many as three layers before you are finished rubbing. Make sure that you rub the oil into all of the areas of the leather. Use circular motions as you do so for even distribution.
Make sure that you give mink oil a couple of days, three at most, to fully absorb into the leather. The difference will be noticeable. The trick for this one is to ensure that there is some heat to the leather item before applying the oil to it.
You can either let it sit out in the sun for 10 minutes or so or even use a hairdryer to get the surface nice and warm. From there, you will need a spoonful of coconut oil. Spread the coconut oil around, rubbing it into the surface of the leather item. Make sure that you get total coverage, rubbing in even circular motions as you go.
It is important to keep in mind that using coconut oil will darken the shade of the leather. It depends on the condition of the leather and how heavy-handed you get with the coconut oil. Any product made from leather is very expensive, and throwing it away is not a favorable option. To avoid this, you need to soften it by keeping it lubricated regularly. Having a supple and soft leather looks and makes you feel luxurious.
Softening your leather product also gives it a distressed appearance, which is ideal for people who like vintage looks. This article will discuss various methods on how to soften leather products. We shall discuss both the commercial and home remedies one can use to soften the leather. Leather conditioners are commercial products used to soften leather. One of the best things about using leather conditioners is that they just do not soften but also strengthen the leather materials.
These are the steps to follow when using leather conditioners:. Leather conditioners like Honey Leather Conditioner have some oils that lubricate the leather enabling it to flex and bend with your body easily. Unlike other types of oil, leather conditioners do not leave any greasy patina neither do they compromise the quality and durability of the material. These conditioners are available as a package that contains other products like leather milk, neatsfoot oil, and protective beeswax.
On a small section of a clean cloth, pour some leather conditioner, and apply to the leather product. It is crucial to note that you should not pour the conditioner directly into the leather. It can become quite hard to spread it, which may cause some mess. Spread the leather conditioner in smooth circles or wide strokes. It is best when you only apply a single thin coating, thus giving the leather a faint sheen instead.
When applying the conditioner, put your attention more on the parts of the clothing that needs it most like the ankle and toe area of a boot or elbows of a jacket. Again do not apply excess conditioner for it will make it look oversaturated and wet. To keep your leather products in good shape, it is advisable to condition them once every few months.
Each time you treat the leather, the material becomes more and more supple. People in dry climates should condition their leather materials after every few weeks. Leather products are made from animal skin, and thus, their reactions are much the same as that of our skin. Just like we moisturize our skins to make them softer, that is the same rule we should apply to our leather backpacks , bags, wallets, and jackets. There are many ways on how to soften leather gloves and other garments using heat, but you also need to be careful.
Softening leather with heat should only be done for newer products. For old products, the heat can remove the moisture remaining in them, which may cause more damage. Before you use heat to soften your leather accessory, apply some moisturizer, and spread it by rubbing it softly.
A hairdryer is one common way of softening leather with heat. After applying a moisturizer on the leather accessory, turn on your hairdryer to medium heat and run it over the cloth. High temperatures could have a bad effect on the leather.
The hair drier should be around 15 cm from the leather garment. Take it back and forth and avoid keeping it in a fixed position for a long time. This will make the leather brighter and softer. Putting the leather garment in a dryer can work for you when in a hurry. Set the dryer on medium heat, put the garment, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
Putting very high temperatures or leaving the leather accessory in the heat for long may make it scorch or shrink. The leather, in this case, should be either slightly damp or dry.
It is not advisable to wash leather clothing in a wash and dry machine. Let it stay there for a while. Remember that direct heat can cause the leather to dry out or fade; that is why you should not leave it for a long period.
Having the accessory in the shower will have a double benefit. Once it finishes drying, follow up with a quality conditioner. This technique will not work with any item that has been treated with a waterproofing product since the moisture will simply roll away without absorbing.
You might have to reapply a few times every year to prevent your leather goods from drying out. At Haxford, we work every day to create beautiful leather items that stand up to the wear and tear that comes from daily use. To learn more about our full lineup of offerings or get advice from a member of our staff, use our easy online contact form to reach out today.
Does Vaseline soften leather? Yes, petroleum jelly does help with softening leather as well. This works on wallets, bags, shoes, and even watch straps. The Vaseline helps coat and soften the leather to prevent cracking.
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