How to Soften Stiff Leather

How to Soften Stiff Leather

If not cared for properly, leather can dry and become stiff over time. When this happens, it loses its original look and becomes less comfortable and more prone to cracking, which is something you certainly want to avoid. Read on to learn how to soften leather. How to Soften Stiff Leather? Leather is among the most stylish and versatile fabrics on the planet. Being that it’s made from animal hide and not a synthetic/man-made material, it possesses certain qualities that aren’t found elsewhere. For instance, leather is supple, smooth, and has a natural “grain” that enhances the wearer’s appearance. But it’s not uncommon for certain types of leather to become stiff. This isn’t something that happens overnight, but rather months or even years of usage may stiffen the material to the point where it is no longer comfortable to wear. So, what can you do to soften stiff leather?   What Causes Leather to Become Stiff? Before we reveal the steps to softening leather, let’s first discuss what makes it stiff in the first place. There are a few possible causes of stiff leather, one of which is simply its quality. Not all leather is made equal, as some varieties are made with higher quality hides and craftsmanship than others. Products made with full-grain leather tend to yield the highest quality, simply because the hides from which they are made have not been buffed, sanded, or snuffed, whereas split and corrected-grain leather are two of the lower quality varieties. You can expect to pay more for high-quality full-grain leather, but this is a case in which the mantra “you...
How Sunlight Affects Leather

How Sunlight Affects Leather

Sunlight can take its toll on practically any fabric or garment, and leather is no exception. Leaving your leather jacket outside where it’s exposed to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays day after day will inevitably cause damage. This isn’t something that happens immediately, but constant exposure can and will damage your leather. To learn more about this phenomenon and how to prevent it, keep reading. As you may already know, sunlight contains radiation in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light. This is the same light that’s largely responsible for triggering the formation of cancerous skin cells such as melanoma. UV light is inherently powerful, causing disturbances on a molecular level. But it doesn’t just affect our skin cells. It can also affect leather. UV effect on leather When leather is exposed to UV light over a prolonged length of time, its structure begins to change. The first thing you’ll likely notice is discoloration. The once dark, neutral color of leather will transform into a lighter, more faded color. If it’s exposed to sunlight for long enough, will turn almost white, with a slight tan coloring. This alone isn’t exactly a serious issue that’s going to damage your leather, but it’s just one of the many ways in which sunlight affects leather. As leather remains exposed to UV light, it will begin to dry out. This is due to the fact that UV light evaporates the moisture from it. We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that leather is incredibly porous, featuring thousands upon thousands of tiny pores that absorb and release moisture. Sunlight...
Help! My Leather Jacket Is Wrinkled

Help! My Leather Jacket Is Wrinkled

Have you noticed wrinkles in your leather jacket? Many people assume that leather jackets are wrinkle-proof, but unfortunately this isn’t the case. While they are less likely to develop wrinkles than most other types of jackets, leather jackets can still develop wrinkles if not properly maintained. It’s frustrating when you find wrinkles on your leather jacket. Maybe you’re heading to work, or perhaps you’re getting dressed for a semi-formal dinner. event. Regardless, you should strive to keep your clothes smooth and wrinkle-free. So, what causes leather jackets to develop wrinkles, and what steps can you take to prevent it from happening? Seasonal Storage It’s not uncommon for leather jackets to develop wrinkles when stored for long periods, such as the spring or summer seasons. Leather jackets are incredibly warm thanks, in part, to their construction consisting of 100% genuine leather. While this makes them ideal for the cold months of the year, some people may discover that leather jackets are too hot to wear during the warm months of the year. If you’re going to store your leather jacket for one or more seasons, though, you should be conscious of where and how you store it. Otherwise, it could develop wrinkles. You can still store your leather jacket for the season; you just need to take some precautions to protect it from wrinkles. Here are a few tips to follow when storing your leather jacket, all of which will lower the risk of wrinkles: Clean your leather jacket with a lint-free microfiber cloth before storing it.Store your leather jacket on a heavy-duty — preferably wooden — clothes hanger rather...
How to Use Saddle Soap on Leather?

How to Use Saddle Soap on Leather?

It’s only natural to want your leather to maintain its look and feel for the years to come, and it certainly can. The key to this is caring for your boots, jackets and other leather garments properly, and learning how to use saddle soap in conjunction with the best conditioners. There’s no other material or fabric that compares to the versatility of genuine leather. Whether it’s made of cow’s hide, sheep’s hide or any other common animal hide, leather offers the perfect balance of comfort, style, and durability. Perhaps this is why it remains one of the world’s most widely used materials in the production of jackets and accessories. If you’re thinking about buying new leather pants or some other leather garment, you’ll need to know how to care for it. Leather — like all materials — requires regular maintenance to preserve its original appearance and characteristics. Failure to do so could result in degradation and subsequent shortening of the lifespan of your leather garment. While there are dozens of ways to clean and care for leather, one of the best all-around solutions is to use saddle soap. So, what is saddle soap exactly? And how do you use it on leather? To learn more about saddle soap, keep reading. The Basics Some people assume that saddle soap is designed specifically for leather saddles, but this is a misconception. Granted, as its name suggests, you can certainly use saddle soap to clean and maintain saddles, but this is far from its only application. Saddle soap is perfect for a range of leather products, including, but certainly not limited to:...
The Complete Guide to Leather Leggings

The Complete Guide to Leather Leggings

If you’re looking to make a statement with your sense of fashion, you should consider purchasing a pair of leather leggings. Not to be confused with leather pants, these stylish form-fitting trousers are guaranteed to enhance your appearance. Best of all, their unique style makes them stand out, all while offering the same qualities as other genuine leather garments. To learn more about leather leggings, including the benefits they offer, keep reading. What Are Leather Leggings? Leather leggings, as the name suggests, are leggings made of genuine leather. Like all leggings, they are designed to fit closely against your legs and waist when worn. Leggings were popularized during the 1960s when they were worn as athletic trousers for athletic purposes. While many women still wear leggings when exercising, doing yoga or engaging in other forms of exercise, leggings have since made their way into mainstream fashion. The term “leather leggings” simply refers to form-fitting trousers or “leggings” that are made of genuine leather. Most leggings, of course, are made of traditional materials like polyester, spandex or various synthetic-organic hybrid materials. Leather leggings are unique because they are made of leather rather than these traditional materials. Benefits of Leather Leggings Why should you wear leather leggings? Well, because they are made of leather, you can rest assured knowing they are comfortable. They don’t have a hard, rigid or abrasive surface. On the contrary, leather leggings have a soft surface that’s easy and gentle on your skin. Whether you intend to wear for a 30-minute workout session or the entire day, they won’t cause discomfort. Leather leggings are comfortable to wear...