PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

When breathing new life into your leather goods, there are a lot of oils to choose from. Can you go to your pantry and grab the olive oil, or do you need a specialty blend? When repairing your leather items, you need to make the right choices to avoid more damage. By investing in the right oil to soften your leather, applying it correctly, waiting for it to absorb, and practicing routine care, your items can look and feel luxurious again. To help you out, we’ve answered your most common questions about using oil to soften and condition leather, including which types of oil are the best ones to use.

Question 1 of 8:

What’s the best oil to soften leather?

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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.[1]
    • Use neatsfoot oil for quick fixes. It shouldn’t be used over a long period of time because it will wear your leather down! For scuffs and cracks, neatsfoot oil is a great option.[2]
    • Almond oil is plant-based and highly absorbent. It’ll also give leather a protective layer. As an added bonus, it’s also safe for your pets.[3]
    • Lanolin deeply softens leather. If you have really tough leather, lanolin is best. It’s best for car seats and furniture.[4]
    • Mink oil restores the natural oils in leather. Applying it to dried up leather will moisturize it again. If you have a bunch of leather goods to touch up, like belts, bags, and boots, go for mink oil.
  2. Advertisement
Question 3 of 8:

How do you soften leather with oil?

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Dust your leather off with a dry cloth to remove any small particles. If there are any mild stains, add soap to warm water, dip a damp washcloth in it, and rub away the stains.
  2. This will open up the leather's pores so it absorbs more of the oil. It’ll be more flexible if you apply oil after warming up the leather in the sun.[6]
    • Once the leather is warmed, dip your finger in your oil of choice and “spot test” it. Press down on the leather and leave one spot. Make sure the oil doesn’t discolor it.
  3. Start with a thin coat—you want to check how the oil affects your leather before adding more. If the oil isn’t making your leather greasy or tacky, then you can apply more.[7]
    • You can also use a soft cloth to apply oil onto your leather.
  4. If you like the way your leather looks after it dries, you can apply more coats after the first one.
  5. 5
    Read your oil’s label and see how long it takes to dry. Some products, like mink oil, can take 2 to 3 days to absorb into leather. Neatsfoot oil, on the other hand, sometimes only takes a few minutes to work.
  6. Advertisement
Question 5 of 8:

Why does oil make leather soft?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Leather dries up and cracks when it isn’t well moisturized. Infusing it with oil lubricates all the cracks and makes sure it can move again, lending it a nice softness.[10]
    • Your leather is also more waterproof with oil. When it’s waterproof, it won’t dry up as quickly. That means it’ll crack less, and you won’t have to treat it as often.
    • Oil fixes any cracks leather already has. If you rub oil into them, you hydrate fibers in the cracks. With that care, cracks will smooth over, making your leather glossier.
  2. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Advertisement

References

  1. https://youtu.be/_4DH7-VTixE?t=66r
  2. Carroll Kelly. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
  3. https://favoredleather.com/is-almond-oil-good-for-leather/
  4. Carroll Kelly. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
  5. https://youtu.be/8zGwQ60OMyg?t=24
  6. https://www.leatherious.com/how-to-soften-leather/
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJBx9gtM9V8
  8. https://youtu.be/OL2_olyT-Ac?t=11
  9. Carroll Kelly. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.

About This Article

Carroll Kelly
Co-authored by:
Shoe Care Specialist
This article was co-authored by Carroll Kelly and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Flamiano. Carroll Kelly is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Austin Shoe Hospital in Austin, Texas. With over 37 years of experience, Carroll specializes in sustainable shoes, boots, belts, handbags, and luggage repair. Carroll graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Austin Shoe Hospital is a family-run business that started over 105 years ago from a single horse-drawn carriage. Today they are the largest and most recognized shoe repair company in the world. This article has been viewed 87,675 times.
54 votes - 93%
Co-authors: 4
Updated: December 17, 2021
Views: 87,675
Categories: Cleaning Leather
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,675 times.

Did this article help you?

Advertisement