How to soften leather? Leather accessories are prized for being long-lasting, durable, and stylish. Stiff, new leather, or old leather that has dried up can be uncomfortable, unattractive, and prone to cracking. Maintaining leather clothes, shoes, and accessories is easy if you follow a few simple steps. Keep your accessories soft and supple with our best tips for softening leather.
Here are the best methods to soften leather:
Soften Leather with a Leather Conditioner
When you buy a leather accessory or item of clothing, make sure to get a quality water-based leather conditioner. The leather is porous and needs lubrication to allow the material to bend and soften. Getting a quality leather conditioner will extend the life of your leather accessory and make it softer and more comfortable quicker.
Take your leather conditioner, and squeeze a small amount onto a clean cloth. Use the cloth to buff the conditioner into the leather and in expanding circular motions. The result should be a single, thin coating with a light sheen. The leather should not appear wet or saturated. Reapply every few months to keep your leather soft and maintain the shape.
Tip: Don’t apply the conditioner directly to the leather, as this will overwhelm the material, make it difficult to spread, and possibly cause discoloration.
Soften Leather with Water
Using water is a great, simple way to break in new leather and bring back suppleness in old leather goods. Fill a spray bottle with water; the finer the mist on the spray bottle, the better! It’s best to use distilled water here because it has fewer minerals and impurities. Distilled water will minimize the chance of leaving any unsightly spots, but regular drinking water will also work just fine.
Spritz water lightly over the leather and allow the item to sit. If the item is wearable, put it on while wet and move around so that it bends and conforms to your body. After you have stretched the leather or conformed it to the desired shape, take a clean microfiber towel and wipe away the excess water. Try to get it as dry as possible on this step. It is important not to leave the item wet as too much water might damage the leather. Any water left on the material might also cause uneven drying, which would lead to staining and discoloration. Let the item to continue to air dry in a cool, dark place.
Note: This process will not work with waterproof leather. Follow up with a leather conditioner for best results.
Petroleum Jelly and Alcohol
Break down stubborn, stiff leather with a combination of alcohol and petroleum jelly. This is best for old, stiff items that need some attention to bring them back to life! Start with your rubbing alcohol, and use a cotton pad to apply alcohol to the leather item you want to soften. Go over the leather lightly but thoroughly with the alcohol, then allow to dry. Follow up with petroleum jelly, using your fingers or another cotton pad to apply.
Tip: Buff the petroleum jelly out thoroughly after application to avoid sticky residue.
Using Coconut Oil
If you are worried about chemicals in a commercial leather conditioner, then the coconut oil method is for you. First, leave your leather item out in the sun for 10 minutes to heat the material. Then, take your coconut oil, and using your fingers, apply a thin layer gently to the entire item.
It’s important to get an even layer, as coconut oil is known to turn leather 1-2 shades darker. Please make sure you are comfortable with the color change before using coconut oil or try it out on an inconspicuous piece before treating the entire item.
With Heat
Leather gets its appealing, weathered quality through a mix of use, movement, and moisture. Mimic the soften effects of years of use with a quick cycle through the dryer or a pass over with a blow-dry. If your leather item will fit comfortable, throw it in the dryer and tumble dry on low for about 10 minutes. Make sure to not leave it in the dryer for more than 15 minutes, or it may start to crack, shrink or scorch.
For a less weathered approach, try to soften leather with the gentle heat of a warm car or steamy shower room. Hang your leather item in a humid, warm place for up to 24 hours, depending on how hot the area is. The shower is an excellent option because the humidity will add moisture to the leather, preserving the supple integrity of the material.
Tip: Follow up with a leather conditioner for best results after using this method.
With Mink Oil
Mink oil is another great natural oil option. It is safe for all kinds of leather accessories and will work similarly to a water-based conditioner. Take a dry rag and apply oil to the rag. Buff the oil into your leather item in one even layer. Repeat 2-3 times for best results.
Let the leather item rest 2-3 days for the oil to absorb completely. Mink oil is also prone to darkening leather, so be wary of what the final shade might be, and make sure to do a test, so you know what the process will look like!
Tip: Mink oil can also be used as a natural waterproofing on leather.
Soften Leather By Hand
A simple way to get that perfect weathered, worn-in look for your leather, this method is super versatile. First, you can rough it up with a rubber mallet, baseball bat, or rolling pin. Spread your item flat and hit the material with moderate amounts of force all over the surface. This will break the leather in and create a pliable, soft, worn-in texture.
You can also stretch the leather by hand, bend it, hit it, or wear it often to get that weathered look. Follow up with a leather conditioner for best results.