If You Cant Find A Colour You Need Let Us Know & We Can Make It!
Join Our Distribution Network Europe Or Worldwide > Contact us
Leather jackets are a fashionable and essential item in one's wardrobe. They can elevate an entire outfit and are highly durable, making them suitable for various weather conditions. It's no wonder that many people love and wear leather jackets.
However, despite their stylish appeal, leather jackets are only sometimes comfortable. This is where the process of softening leather coats becomes crucial. When the leather becomes softer, the jacket not only feels more comfortable against your skin but also starts to respond to your body shape, resulting in a more fashionable and pleasant fit.
At The Leather Colour Doctor, we understand the importance of getting the most out of your leather garments, including softening and conditioning leather jackets. We want to ensure you have all the information to make your leather jacket fit wonderfully. We provide you with a few options to consider, so you can choose the method that suits you best.
Remember, softening your leather jacket enhances its comfort and improves its fit and overall appeal. With our guidance, you can achieve the perfect combination of style and comfort, making your leather jacket a standout piece in your wardrobe.
You can use a leather conditioner product to make your leather jacket softer. Follow these steps for the best results:
Clean the Jacket: Clean your jacket with a soft cloth or sponge and a mild leather cleaner. Wipe the surface gently to remove any dirt or stains. Make sure the jacket is completely dry before moving on.
Apply the Leather Conditioner: Take a little bit of leather conditioner and spread it evenly on the entire jacket. Use a clean cloth that doesn't leave any lint behind. Gently rub the conditioner into the stiff leather using circular motions. Pay extra attention to areas that feel stiff or dry.
Let It Soak In: After applying the conditioner, let it soak into the leather for the time recommended on the product label. This allows the conditioner to go deep into the leather fibres, moisturising and making the leather soft.
Polish the Jacket: Once the soaking time is over, gently use a clean cloth to polish the jacket. This will remove any extra conditioner and give the leather a natural shine.
You can enjoy a softer and more comfortable leather jacket by following these steps.
There's another way to make your stiff leather jacket softer: using natural oils. These oils can add moisture to the leather, making it more flexible and softer. Here's how you can do it:
Patch Test: Before applying oil to your whole jacket, test it on a small, hidden area of the leather surface to ensure it won't change the colour or harm the leather.
Choose the Oil: Pick oils like jojoba, almond, or coconut oil because they're gentle on leather and have good moisturising properties. Take a small amount of the oil on a clean cloth or sponge.
Coconut oil is a great option to soften leather as it moisturises and conditions the material, improving suppleness. It is a natural and affordable option compared to specialised leather conditioners. However, be cautious, as coconut oil can darken the leather, so testing on a small area is advisable. Avoid excessive use of coconut oil to prevent a greasy residue.
Apply the Oil: Rub the oil gently on the leather jacket using circular motions. Focus on stiff areas, and massage the oil into the fabric.
Let It Absorb: Leave the jacket for a few hours or overnight, so the oil can soak into the leather. This helps make the leather fibres softer and gives it a natural shine.
Remove Extra Oil: After waiting, use a clean cloth to wipe off any leftover oil from the jacket. This step prevents the leather from feeling oily.
Following these steps can make your leather jacket softer and more comfortable. Remember to choose the right oil, test it first, and then apply it evenly on the jacket. Let it absorb, and remove any excess oil for the best results.
If you want a quick and easy way to make your leather jacket softer, a leather softening spray can be a great choice. Here's how you can effectively use it:
Choose a Good Spray: Find a reliable leather softening spray explicitly made to soften and condition leather. Please read the instructions on the product to know the best way to apply it.
Prepare the Jacket: Ensure your jacket is clean and free from dirt or dirt before spraying. Use a mild leather cleaner and let the jacket dry.
Applying the Spray: Hold the spray bottle at the recommended distance mentioned in the product instructions, and spray the jacket's surface evenly. Give extra attention to areas that feel stiff or dry.
Let It Soak In: After spraying, let the leather absorb the spray for the time mentioned on the product label. This allows the spray to go deep into the leather, making it softer.
Gentle Massage: Once the soaking time is over, use your hands to massage the leather gently. This helps the softening agents in the spray to spread throughout the jacket and make it more flexible.
Following these steps, you can effectively use a leather softening spray to make your jacket softer and more comfortable.
Sometimes, the best way to make your leather jacket softer is by wearing it regularly and letting it break in naturally over time. When you wear it often, the natural oils from your skin moisturise the leather, making it softer and more comfortable. Here are some tips to help with the process:
Wear Your Jacket: Put on your leather jacket as much as possible. The more you wear it, the faster it will adjust to your body and become softer.
Avoid Overstuffing: When you store your jacket, don't squeeze it into a small space. This can cause wrinkles and affect its softness. Instead, hang it on a wide hanger with padding in a place with good air circulation.
Protect from Extreme Conditions: Protect your leather jacket from extreme heat, direct sunlight, and damp areas. Very hot or wet conditions can harm the leather and slow the softening process.
Regular Maintenance: Clean your leather jacket often using a soft cloth or brush to remove dust and dirt. This helps it stay in good shape and aprevents leather from becoming stiff.
Following these tips can help your leather jacket become softer and more comfortable over time. Remember to wear it regularly, avoid cramming it when storing, protect it from extreme conditions, and keep up with regular cleaning.
Leather jackets can be stiff for a few reasons:
Leather Quality: The stiffness of a leather jacket can depend on the type and quality of the leather used. Different animal hides have varying characteristics, and some types of leather may naturally be stiffer than others. For example, jackets made from cowhide tend to be more rigid than those made from lambskin or softer leather types.
Leather Thickness: Thicker leather is generally stiffer than thinner leather. Thicker hides provide more structure and durability, but they can also contribute to the stiffness of the jacket. Jackets made from thicker leather are often more suitable for many people because of their ruggedness and protection.
Tanning Process: Leather undergoes a tanning process to transform raw animal hides into usable material. The tanning process involves treating the hides with chemicals to preserve and stabilize them. Different tanning methods can result in varying levels of stiffness. Some jackets may be intentionally tanned to be stiffer for a specific aesthetic or purpose.
Lack of Wear: New leather coats are stiffer because they have not been broken in or worn extensively. Over time, as you wear a leather jacket, it gradually shapes around your body and softens with use, becoming more supple and comfortable. The stiffness will diminish as the leather loosens and adapts to your movements.
Finishing Treatments: Leather coats often undergo various finishing treatments that can contribute to their stiffness. These treatments may include adding protective coatings, waxes, or dyes to enhance the appearance and durability of the jacket. Some finishing processes can make the leather stiffer until worn and broken in. For more information check out our post “How To Dye A Leather Jacket".
It's worth noting that not all leather clothing is equally stiff. Some manufacturers may use specific techniques or materials to create softer and more flexible jackets. If you prefer a softer feel, you can explore options such as jackets made from more delicate leather types or those labelled as "pre-washed" or "distressed," which have undergone processes to achieve a more worn-in appearance and softer texture.
Lambskin leather is a great example of a soft and supple leather, so if you are looking for a softer leather garment, lambskin leather is a great option. The same is true of deerskin leather, with these leather products requiring much less work to soften the leather. Not all leather products are the same, with cowhide leather varying in stiffness across leather products.
Of course, bovine leather is more affordable than lambskin leather and deerskin leather, so you need to consider the cost of your favourite leather jacket. Many people will prefer to pay less and soften the leather, as opposed to paying more for naturally softer leather garments.
Generally, it is easier to soften top-grain leather compared to full-grain leather. Full-grain leather is the topmost layer of the hide and retains its natural grain and imperfections. It is typically thicker and denser, making it more resistant to softening. Full-grain leather is known for its durability and strength but may require more effort and time to soften.
On the other hand, top-grain is the second-highest quality leather and has been sanded or buffed to remove any imperfections. This process makes top-grain smoother and more pliable than full-grain. As a result, it is generally easier to soften and break in.
If you want to soften a stiff leather jacket, several options are available. Neatsfoot oil and mink oil help restore the leather's moisture and flexibility. Leather conditioners, which often contain a blend of oils, are also effective. When applying lubricant, use a small amount on a cloth or sponge, gently massaging it into the leather in circular motions.
While Vaseline is a commonly used household product, you shouldn't use it to soften leather. Vaseline is a petroleum jelly that can create a greasy film on the surface of the leather without effectively penetrating or conditioning it. It may temporarily give the appearance of softening, but it can clog the pores of the leather garment, leading to long-term damage and reduced breathability.
Even though WD-40 is highly versatile and suitable for many tasks around the home, you shouldn't use it to soften leather. WD-40 is best known as a lubricant and water displacer rather than a leather conditioner. It contains solvents and chemicals that can strip the natural oils from the leather, leading to dryness and damage over time.
Olive oil is not the best choice for softening and conditioning leather apparel. While it can provide some temporary softening effect, it is not specifically formulated for leather care and can have drawbacks.
Olive oil tends to darken the leather and may leave a greasy residue. Moreover, olive oil can become rancid over time, leading to an unpleasant odour. Our post "How To Darken Leather" maybe interest you. You can check it out.
Natural beeswax is a suitable option when you want to soften leather's surface. Beeswax is a natural product that can condition and protect leather by adding a layer of moisture and acting as a barrier against elements. It can help maintain the leather's suppleness and prevent drying or cracking.
However, it's important to note that beeswax is a relatively solid substance at room temperature, which means it may not penetrate deep into the leather fibres compared to oils or dedicated leather conditioners. Beeswax is better as a leather finish or to provide water resistance rather than for intense softening purposes.
If you choose to use beeswax on leather goods, it's advisable to warm it slightly to soften it before applying it to the leather.
This product mainly enhances the appearance and shine of leather shoes rather than softening the leather. While some shoe polishes may contain conditioning agents, they are usually less effective than dedicated leather conditioners or oils when softening the leather. Polish tends to create a protective layer on the surface of the leather item rather than penetrating deep into the material to restore moisture and flexibility. For more learnings, you can check out our post "Can You Dye Leather Shoes A Different Colour".
When you invest in a quality leather garment, you want it to look and feel great, and most people want their leather softer. With our help, and the right leather softener approach, your jacket will look and feel great for many years.
