How to Condition Leather. Leather, like your own skin, needs to be protected and moisturized over time. You can create a simple and inexpensive leather conditioner using natural baby soap, vinegar and water. Mix 2 cups of warm water, a tablespoon of natural baby soap and a splash of vinegar in a bowl (Image 1).
You can buy a commercial leather conditioner or make your own by mixing 1 part vinegar to 2 parts linseed oil. Apply to leather, let sit for about 15 minutes and buff with a soft cloth until the leather shines.
1 cup rubbing alcohol + 1 cup lukewarm water = 1 cup rubbing alcohol + 1 cup lukewarm water = 1 cup rubbing alcohol + 1 cup lukewarm water = 1 cup Soak a soft cloth in the liquid for a few minutes. Before applying the leather, wring it out thoroughly and allow it to air dry.
Apply a dime-sized amount of designated leather conditioner (like mink oil) to a soft cloth (microfiber is best but not necessary). Avoid using DIY leather care products, like olive oil or coconut oil, which can potentially harm your item. Begin rubbing the clean leather in circular motions with the cloth.
Olive oil, and every oily substance for that matter, will not “nourish” your leather, but actually accelerate its deterioration. Leather is extremely permeable, and will soak up any oils you put on it. When oil first saturates leather, it seeps to the back—to the part you can't see.
Use beeswax and oils to make homemade leather conditioner. Use a small amount on a soft cloth to rub into the leather and buff it to a shine. In the top of a double boiler, combine. 3 tablespoons beeswax pellets. 1/4 cup coconut oil, sweet almond, or olive oil.
Luckily, there is an easy way to keep a healthy balance: Use a shoe polish every 6 wears or so. Shoe polish helps moisturize the leather while adding a layer of protection to repel dust and water. It also restores colour and hides scuffs and blemishes. You just have to decide between wax or cream polish (or both).
Vaseline can be used for softening leather. Before applying Vaseline to leather, start by dabbing a small cotton pad with rubbing alcohol over the leather surface. You'll want to dab each section of the surface until it starts to shine. Try to make the shine even across the entire surface.
Neatsfoot oil, lanolin, almond oil, and mink oil are best for softening your leather. All of these are natural oils that moisturize leather, keeping it from drying and cracking. The fats in these natural oils will deeply moisturize the hide in leather products. Use neatsfoot oil for quick fixes.
Treating leather with coconut oil does have a few upsides: it will soften the leather and provide a thin layer of waterproof protection. Because coconut oil is a natural oil (like neatsfoot oil, olive oil, and mink oil), it will darken leather boots when applied.
Use Vaseline as a quick alternative to leather polish on scuffed shoes, boots, handbags, baseball gloves, and leather furniture. Simply apply a bit of the gel and buff with a soft cloth to achieve a slick shine.
Mix one quart of warm water, one tablespoon of soap, and a couple drops of vinegar. Dip a cloth into the mixture, wringing it out so it's damp and not wet. Wipe down the entire surface of the leather furniture piece. Allow the leather to air-dry once finished.
Since leather is such a delicate material, a lot of household cleaners we normally use to keep tidy can actually cause harm to this material. Be sure to avoid these products when cleaning your leather: Baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice.
Essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, lemon, and orange are all antibacterial, anti-viral, and provide a cleansing action to the leather.
Baby oil is a pretty light lubricant (it's mineral oil with some fragrance added) but will still over-soften the leather, much like mink oil would do.
WD-40 makes stiff leather items soft and supple. Dog collars, baseball gloves, work boots, shoes, and sandals all benefit from a spray. As a bonus, you'll remove stubborn stains which means the lubricant is particularly useful in treating vintage items.
Oils like olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil are all effective at softening leather. Simply apply a small amount of oil to the leather and rub it with a cloth. Be sure to test the oil on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't damage the leather.
Baking soda. This is a classic fix. Sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda inside each shoe. It will absorb the odor as well as draw out the moisture that bacteria feeds on.
Shoe Conditioning - A Monthly Routine
A leather conditioner will help keep the microscopic fibers in your shoes supple and prevent cracking. You don't have to use a conditioner every time you wear your shoes. Protecting leather shoes with a coating of conditioner once every few months is more than enough.
If you've been wondering how to protect leather boots, beeswax leather dressing is your answer! Beeswax is not just for waterproofing boots; it also improves their durability by rejuvenating and hardening the leather.
Mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup coconut oil or EVOO, 1 tsp dish soap, and ten drops of an essential oil. This amount will do a chair of this size. Wipe on and wipe off with a clean cloth. I tried it in a spray bottle and dipped the cloth into the blend.
Inexpensive hair conditioners contain more wax than fancy conditioners, so they're great for moisturizing and protecting leather. Use a clean rag to gently rub small amounts of the conditioner into clean, dry leather.