Leather products are durable and timeless, but with their long-reigning spot in your home, there are a few things that can wear them down. Over a period of time, leather can lose moisture and essential oils, leading to a dry and rigid texture that is prone to cracks and breaking. Stiff leather doesn't happen overnight and it's possible to recondition pieces to restore hydrating properties, but if you're running into this problem, it helps to know where you went wrong in the first place.
What makes genuine leather stiffen?
- Drying out: Too much exposure to dry air, direct sunlight, or excessive heat depletes the material's natural moisture over time.
- Dirt and Dust: These substances absorb moisture and cause the hardening of the material.
- Sweat and Body Oils: Exposure to moisture that isn't leather oil isn't good either. In particular, greasy residue and natural salts from the body can be absorbed and weaken the fibers of your favorite leather item.
- Chemical Changes: Depending on the type of leather and tanning process, the chemical structure of leather changes with age and the material can become less flexible. Vegetable-tanned leather is more likely to shrink or crack than chrome-tanned leather.
- Lack of Conditioning: Without regular conditioning, leather made from animal skin is more susceptible to stiffening. Conditioning products help replenish the natural oils and maintain the suppleness of the leather.
- Varieties of Leather: The cowhide leather of your furniture is thicker than your lambskin leather jacket, and your leather belt is going to have less wear than your leather shoes. The extent of leather stiffness depends on these factors.
Signs Your Leather Material is Too Old For Softening
Even when they take a beating, finished leather made from different types of animal hyde can last for hundreds of years. So, age doesn't necessarily cause stiffness of leather. But without proper care, even a high-quality full-grain leather product will dry out. It is possible to rescue dry leather using leather creams and leather softeners, but once it becomes excessively brittle and develops cracks or tears, nothing to be done. On the other end of things, prolonged periods in a damp environment can cause mold or mildew growth that leave a hard to clean residue on leather. Eventually, this deteriorates even top-grain leather fibers, causing similar cracks. Sadly, if your aged leather accessories are showing any signs of cracks, it's time to replace them.
5 Leather Softening Methods
Natural Oil Method:
- Gently wipe the entire leather surface with a clean towel or use a soft brush to gently remove dirt.
- Apply a natural oil such as a spoonful of coconut oil, lanolin, neatsfoot oil, mink oil, olive oil, or almond oil using a soft cloth in a circular motion.
- Massage the leather protectant, paying extra attention to folds and seams between layers of leather. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
- Repeat the oiling process where necessary. Each type of leather garment will absorb differently and require different layers of oil.
- Buff entire surface with a clean towel to remove any excess oil.
Hair Dryer Method:
- Wipe the leather with a clean cloth to ensure a dust-free surface.
- Use a hair dryer or heat gun on low heat to warm the leather, holding it a few inches away. Move it in a circular motion, don't let it sit on one spot for too long.
- While warm, massage the fabric with your hands to enhance flexibility. If softening leather shoes, put them on (with a thick pair of socks) and walk around to break them in.
- Apply a leather conditioner with a spray bottle or cotton pad for optimal results.
Moisture Method:
- Fill a spray bottle with water and gently wet the leather surface. You can also apply the water with a damp cloth or even hang hardened leather in the bathroom during hot showers.
- Repeat the process if necessary, you'll eventually see that the leather has stopped absorbing water. Don't soak the fabric, don't use excessive moisture. This softening process takes time.
- Allow the leather to air dry slowly and naturally. Avoid direct heat sources and never tumble dry leather products.
- Apply a DIY leather balm or commercial conditioner with a dry cloth.
Commercial Leather Conditioner:
- Choose a high-quality leather conditioner based on the type of leather (suede, lambskin leather, or deerskin leather have different needs). These come in pastes, lotions and spray conditioners.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the application process.
- Apply the conditioner evenly using a clean cloth or sponge.
- Allow sufficient time for the conditioner to be absorbed. The waiting period will depend on the starting moisture content and types of leather.
- Buff leather before use.
DIY Leather Conditioner:
- Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup of either linseed oil, olive oil, or melted coconut oil.
- Dip a soft cloth into the solution.
- Test on a small inconspicuous area first as different types of leather will respond differently.
- Apply the mixture in a circular motion to clean, dry leather.
- Allow it to sit for a few hours before wiping-off any excess with a dry cloth.
Remember to use common sense and test any conditioner on a small, inconspicuous area first, and tailor the method to the specific needs of your leather item. Repeat this leather care routine every two to three months.
How to Store Your Leather
Proper storage can do a lot in terms of keeping your leather soft and supple.
- Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and excessive air circulation.
- Apply a leather conditioner to entire surface before extended periods of storage.
- Use padded hangers for leather clothing and cover high-quality leather with breathable fabric dust covers. Avoid airtight containers or plastic bags.
- Stuff leather bags with tissue paper can help them maintain their shape.
- Use boot inserts with keep your tall leather boots from folding over.
- Loosely roll your leather belts. Hanging your belts or rolling them tightly can stretch or crease the leather.
- Condition frequently used leather items every two to three months. Treat hardened leather objects promptly.
