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.
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.
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 two cups of warm water, a tablespoon of natural baby soap and a splash of vinegar in a bowl.
Flaxseed oil is another great option for those looking for alternative solutions to leather conditioning, as this, too, like coconut oil, is hypoallergenic, and so is the best natural leather conditioner. Though coconut oil would be especially good for leather furniture, flaxseed oil can do the trick as well.
If you do not want to use a commercial product, you can make your own leather conditioner. Add one part vinegar with two parts linseed oil--or if you do not want to use linseed oil you can substitute virgin olive oil.
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.
Mink Oil, Lanolin and Neatsfoot Oil are commonly used to condition and soften leather. Mink Oil is a naturally derived substance from the mink animal and has been used for centuries to help soften leather and give the fibres flexibility. Neatsfoot Oil is made from the bones and feet of cattle.
You may get darker leather if you use coconut oil, albeit temporarily. But what it's best known for is leaving a spotty, patch-like appearance to the leather and sticky feeling. Treating leather with coconut oil does have a few upsides: it will soften the leather and provide a thin layer of waterproof protection.
Beeswax Rejuvenates, Nourishes, and Protects Leather
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using household oils on your leather will damage it. Instead, use a leather cleaning and conditioner product, like Leather Honey Leather Cleaner and Leather Honey Leather Conditioner.
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.
Leather products must never be washed in the washing machine. To remove stains, use a damp cloth with a small amount of delicate detergent. Delicately scrub the area and do not use fabric softeners or bleach.
Be sure to avoid these products when cleaning your leather: Baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice. Some sources online cite these common household products as a DIY solution for cleaning leather. This is actually false as they can be extremely harsh on the material and make stains worse.
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. So you might find that the leather has turned to something akin to mush.
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.
Olive Oil and Vinegar
An excellent home remedy for cleaning leather car seats is a solution made of a quarter cup of olive oil and half a cup of distilled white vinegar. No water base is needed for this concoction; just pour the two ingredients into a spray bottle and mix them together by shaking the bottle thoroughly.
Most leather conditioners on the market often consist of a petroleum distillates. Petrol-based ingredients often dry out the leather and remove the essential oils needed for the leather to thrive and last. Petrol is often added to conditioners as a way to soften the leather, but can often cause more harm than good.
Neither product creates a “shine;” Leather Conditioner will create the truest “matte” appearance, while Mink Oil gives a low “luster.”