Genuine leather products tell stories that no one else knows about you. Leather products are storytellers, and it is essential for us to protect them. Now, as leather is not just a material thing, it has got life in it, we need to take care of it gently.
You cannot force a leather product to change on its own; you have to be patient and let the product get adjusted to its surroundings slowly. This blog is a guide for everyone who doesn’t know how to soften a natural leather product. Dive in to know everything inside.
Understanding Leather Before You Soften It
Leather is not a piece of thing but a living part, as it is prepared from the hide of animals. Even after we process the hides to form leather, the fibres in natural leather respond to care, movement, and moisture.
Higher quality leather is strong yet flexible, and with time, the natural leather softens, developing a unique patina that makes every leather product unique, and the richer the patina, the more prosperous the leather looks.
Now, the leather is not very delicate, but it needs care to be protected from external environmental factors. Hence, softening leather is not its rough and tough use, but patiently waiting for the leather material to soften with time.
Why Leather Becomes Stiff Over Time
Genuine leather gets stiff with time when you do not give it attention. The stiffness of leather is a sign that the leather material needs some care. A few reasons leather shows stiffness are:
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Less presence of moisture in the leather fibres.
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Storing leather for a long time without conditioning.
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Exposure of the leather product to heat or dry air.
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When the leather material is not in frequent use.
What You Should Never Do to Soften Leather
Leather stiffness is standard and can happen anytime to anyone. So, there is no need to rush things with authentic leather goods. Have patience, go slow, and do not trust any of the quick fixes, as that may damage the leather material permanently.
You may find a lot of DIYs and easy processes to make the leather products soft, and they will be tempting to try. But those are not the proper processes to soften a leather product. Here are a few of the ways you should never follow with a genuine leather product to soften it:
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Never use harsh chemicals like alcohol and vinegar to soften the leather.
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Do not expose your leather product to direct and excessive heat, like dryers and the sun.
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Tools like brushes and wires can cause permanent damage.
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Don’t use excess water on leather products, as this will damage the product, and a little moisture is enough, which does not require a lot of water content.
The Right Way to Soften Real Leather
Start with Gentle Cleaning
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Leather, when not used for a long time, can develop dirt and dust. The leather cannot be adequately conditioned when dirt is present on the leather surface.
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Use a clean, soft cloth for cleaning the leather. Simple cleaning should be enough to clean, but if you still want a cleaner surface, then you can try a mild soap. It is still not recommended, but you can try after a patch test.
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You can also try a leather-specific cleaner.
You can check this blog for reference - How to Clean Leather Goods Without Causing Damage.
Condition the Leather with Care
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One of the easiest ways to protect dryness in leather products is to condition the leather bags from time to time properly in the recommended process.
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First, clean the leather material. Then take a small amount of a high-quality conditioner for leather products. Apply it using a small amount on a soft cloth, and then apply it in a circular motion.
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Do not apply a lot of pressure. Make the motions gentle and allow the conditioner to be absorbed on its own at room temperature.
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Conditioning a leather product removes the stiffness and also protects it from future drying.
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Opt for a lint-free soft cloth for conditioning purposes.
Let Time Do the Work
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Using the conditioners to soften the leather material is a good choice. Still, if you don’t want to apply anything to your product and keep it natural, then one of the easiest ways to soften a leather product is to use it regularly.
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You can use your leather product frequently for its fibre to soften with time. This process is one of the most beautiful ones, as it allows the lively leather to adapt to the surroundings.
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Let natural air touch the product. So, a little movement, or simply opening the product and then closing it again, can be of help. This process helps in increasing the flexibility of the product.
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This process will ensure there are no drastic changes in the quality of the product, as there are no external products used on it, and the integrity of the product is maintained throughout its lifetime.
Use Controlled Moisture (Only When Needed)
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Firstly, we need to understand that the leather product stiffens because of the loss of natural oils and moisture from the product. The need for humidity is to rehydrate the collagen fibres of the leather product.
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Leather responds well to a bit of moisture and should not be soaked in water.
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With a soft, damp cloth, wipe the stiff area of the product. Once done, flex the product gently and then allow it to air dry at room temperature.
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Make sure you apply the least moisture and not more, as it can damage the product to a great extent.
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To protect your leather material’s quality, condition the product after this process.
Softening Different Types of Leather Items
There are a lot of ways to soften leather products. But there are a few ways specific to the product variety. Here are a few ways particular to the product:
Leather Bags
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Leather bags made from natural leather sometimes get stiff. The best way to loosen or soften a leather bag is to stuff the bag with soft materials like soft towels.
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Avoid over-stuffing as it can lead to shape distortion of the bag. Later, you can go for leather bag conditioning, also for softening the product and maintaining its natural quality.
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Another way is to keep using the bag. Be gentle and patient with the product, and with time, the leather bags can adapt to their environment.
Wallets and Small Accessories
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Regular usage is one of the most recommended ways to soften a leather product. Use continuously to make the product maintain its softness.
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Smaller products like leather wallets can be used on a daily basis and can be easily softened with daily movements.
How Long Does Leather Take to Soften?
Leather should not be softened easily, as natural leather takes time to soften. After the tanning process, the natural collagen fibres get stiffened because of the loss of natural oils. Generally, the softening process is different for different products, which is dependent on the thickness and quality of the product.The natural leather takes time to soften, and it is a good process. But it is mainly dependent on the product type.
Caring for Softened Leather Long-Term
Softening a leather product is not an easy process. It requires a lot of care and patience to soften, but post softening, the leather product also involves a lot of care for long-term protection.
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As already discussed, leather is a living material, and it needs a little breathability to ensure the product is well and fine. So, store the product in a proper breathable bag.
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The leather products should be kept away from direct sunlight and moisture, as it may damage the real leather products permanently.
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Natural leather loves movement, and moving it regularly will keep it soft and maintain its quality.
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Condition the leather products within a specific time interval so that the bags don’t stiffen up.
Genuine leather needs a lot of care and patience. You cannot expect fast results or DIYs to work on it. You need to approach all the natural leather products with care and protect them from harsh environmental conditions.
There is no shortcut to protecting the leather materials without patience. Genuine leather not only looks and is comfortable, but it also connects on an emotional level with you as it narrates your story. It is a great decision to invest in a real leather product as it will be a lifetime investment.
The Wild Vintage Bags supports a real time cause. They sell superior quality leather products and along with that supports children in their education. Their leather bags not only tell your stories, but also tell stories of the privilege of kids going to schools.