When it comes to handling leather, finding a reliable leather softener is always smart. As you may know, leather-based products can often grow to be split, damaged, dried out, or become otherwise vulnerable over time. Generally, non-stop wearing of that leather-based will change how it looks.
Here are a few simple ways to soften your leather:
Alcohol and Vaseline
Apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball. Rub the pad on the leather until it is shiny. Apply Vaseline and leave it overnight to dry.
Coconut Oil
Leave the leather in the sun for 10 minutes or warm using a hairdryer. Apply coconut oil to the surface and rub it in. This may darken the shade of the leather.
Conditioner
Apply a leather conditioner (lanolin-based) to your leather item. You can apply multiple coats until it softens.
Mink Oil
Pour some mink oil onto a rag and rub onto the surface using a circular motion. Leave it for three days to absorb properly.
Other ways of softening leather
If you have tough leather, you might be surprised by what you can do to get it to feel softer. Many different kinds of leather can feel stiff and damaging them can be an annoying experience. In addition to what was already listed, there are a few other ways you can soften the leather.
Tumble dryer
This is a quick and easy way to soften tough leather.
The constant spinning and heat help the leather soften in a way that’s like what you would expect from long-term wear. If you use this process, you need to turn leather jackets inside-out, and zip them closed. We also recommend putting the item into a washing bag for safety and to act as a shield. Here are some tips:
- Use a medium heat setting
- Do not exceed 15 minutes
- Don’t put wet leather into the dryer
- Use a leather conditioner on the item as soon as it’s removed from the dryer
Using Commercial Conditioners And Softeners
The safest way to soften hard leather is to use an appropriate leather-based conditioner. They work by replacing absent lubrication needed to soften the leather. It ensures flexibility, comfort and helps it last a lot longer. You’ll need to do your research to ensure that the conditioner you choose is suited for the product. Here are some things to consider:
- An important ingredient to look out for is lanolin
- Avoid spray conditioners as they are often watered down
If you have time and a flair for DIY, you can make a conditioner by heating and mixing natural oils with herbal beeswax. This way you know what exactly has gone into it and can choose only the best high-quality products. Be careful when making your mixture, as too much coconut oil can darken the leather, while too much beeswax can be difficult for the leather to absorb creates a waterproof layer. The leather is unable to breathe, it creates a mess and does more harm than good.
The key takeaway in all of this is that you need to do your research beforehand to ensure that your softening method is suited for the item. Our list includes tried and trusted softening methods; however, the outcomes may vary and are not guaranteed.
