How to soften a leather jacket?
Introduction
A leather jacket is not just a piece of clothing; it's a timeless fashion statement that exudes style and durability. However, as leather ages, it may lose some of its initial softness and flexibility. If you find your leather jacket feeling a bit stiff, fear not! With the right care and attention, you can bring back its supple texture and keep it looking and feeling fantastic. In this guide, we'll explore various techniques on how to soften a leather jacket effectively.
Why Does a Leather Jacket Lose Its Softness?
Leather Jacket Softness
Many different aspects impact the quality of a leather jacket. However, even a high-quality leather jacket may lose its softness with time, making it uncomfortable to wear. You may prevent damage to your beloved leather jacket by being aware of the factors that could be causing it.
The grade of leather matters
Purchasing a leather jacket is a significant task, particularly if it's your first purchase. Consider the leather grade if you want your jacket to be durable and supple. Full-grain leather, which has a softer texture and greater sturdiness, is typically used to make high-quality leather jackets.
Examine the surface of the jacket to determine whether the leather is full-grain or not. Full-grain leather has all the unique patterns and imperfections intact, which are sanded in top-grain leather.
Inappropriate storage environment
A leather jacket's ability to remain soft and supple is greatly influenced by how it is stored. First of all, the leather might get damaged by both high and low humidity.
Make sure you store your jacket in an atmosphere with moderate humidity because prolonged exposure to moisture can harden the leather. An excessively dry environment will also squeeze out the moisture content of the leather, making it stiff. The range of 40% to 50% is good.
To find out more about how to store your product, read the label. If you're still not sure, you may also have it properly stored at a nearby cleaner.
Wearing a Size Too Small
In addition to ruining the whole look of your leather jacket ensemble, selecting a leather jacket that is too small for you may not be the best option in the long term.
Remember that when leather coats are excessively tight, they are more likely to stretch. You'll notice that the jacket is less flexible and soft than you would like it to be because of the stiffer texture caused by the stretching.
That being said, as genuine leather loosens with wear, it is also not advised to size up your leather jacket.
Tumble-drying the leather jacket
Because a high-quality leather jacket won't be easy on your wallet, you don't want to mistreat it when drying it. Your leather jacket should never be dried in a tumble dryer, no matter how wet it gets.
The heat and fast spinning of a dryer can dry out leather, leading to a stiff and uncomfortable leather jacket. Not only that, but the jacket will probably start to wrinkle and get permanent creases.
We recommend putting it in a cool, dry place and allowing it to air-dry before storing it in the closet.
Age of the Leather Jacket
Unquestionably, leather is a resilient material. With proper care, your leather jacket will age beautifully and survive for years, but like any other piece of clothing, it will eventually need to be retired.
The finest leather jackets can survive for nearly ten years without losing their softness and comfort with the right care, cleaning, and storage.
Though it has served you well, an extremely old leather jacket will lose its softness, which is unlikely to be regained. It's time to acquire a new one that provides the appropriate amount of softness and flexibility.
How to Soften a Leather Jacket: Five Easy Ways
Wear the leather jacket regularly.
A leather jacket can be uncomfortable and rigid when it's brand new, but with frequent wear, it will become softer and more comfortable. To hasten the softening process, put it on while taking brisk walks around the house or engaging in other physical activities.
If your used leather jacket has been sitting in your closet for months, especially in the summer, it might also become too stiff to wear comfortably. Wear your jacket every few weeks during the summer and spring to keep it looking nice and soft come wintertime.
Spritz the leather jacket with water
A rigid leather jacket can be a major annoyance and won't grow to be an extension of you. So, how can a leather jacket be made softer? As an old tip for softening leather, you may first try using water. This is at least a technique that a lot of people online swear by.
Although it may sound strange, softly spraying your leather jacket with water may help it get softer. It helps get rid of wrinkles and creases and softens the fabric to fit your body more comfortably.
Once the jacket has been spritzed with water, it is preferable to leave it on. It will better shape your body in this way. Don't ever store it damp. As an alternative, let it dry naturally before storage.
Please note that if you have applied any type of waterproofing solution or spray-protectant to your leather jacket, this procedure will not work.
Apply oil to the leather jacket.
Lack of moisture causes leather to dry out, becoming brittle, unpleasant, and stiff. It can be made to move again with a few natural lubricants, such as oil, which gives it a beautiful softness.
To keep the smoothness of your leather jacket intact, oils are also an affordable and accessible substitute for leather conditioners.
Numerous kinds of oils are suitable for this use. However, the most commonly used and safe-to-use oils found online are castor oil, mink oil, neatsfoot oil, and coconut oil.
Apply mink oil using a soft cloth in a circular motion until it is completely absorbed for optimal effects. Repeat this treatment multiple times until you get the desired results.
Use a leather conditioner
To maintain the finest possible appearance for your leather items, leather conditioners are an absolute must. There are creams, sprays, and balms available on the market, all with the goal of softening, protecting, and nourishing the leather.
Your leather jacket will still benefit from a brief conditioning session, even if it isn't getting stiff. For this reason, don't be afraid to condition your jacket at least twice a year to improve its feel and softness.
Make sure your leather jacket is clean before using any kind of conditioner. Any dirt or dust should be removed. Then pour a suitable amount of conditioner on the jacket.
Rub the conditioner into the jacket using a cotton towel or applicator sponge until it is completely absorbed by the material. By doing this, you'll soften the leather and get that desired snug feel sooner than if you didn't.
Rub alcohol and petroleum jelly
Pamper a leather jacket liberally with petroleum jelly and rubbing alcohol to make it softer. The alcohol will penetrate the leather fibers to loosen them and remove any dirt or grime. The leather will remain supple and soft using petroleum jelly. Here's how to use this technique:
Wipe the leather surface with the cotton pad after dipping it in rubbing alcohol. It should become shiny; if not, add more alcohol to the cotton pad. Wait for the alcohol.
to evaporate.
Afterward, immediately apply petroleum to the surface. You should be able to tell when it’s time to stop, but you can use a few layers if you feel that leather can absorb more. When you wake up, your leather jacket will be buttery soft from overnight drying.
Conclusion
Caring for your leather jacket not only enhances its longevity but also ensures it remains a comfortable and stylish staple in your wardrobe. Whether you choose to condition it with specialized products, natural oils, or steam, these methods will help soften your leather jacket, restoring its luxurious feel and making it a pleasure to wear for years to come. Remember to test any product or method on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire jacket, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for optimal results.
FAQs
Can I use oil on a faux leather jacket?
Yes, you can use oil like baby oil on faux leather to enhance its shine. However, it will not do anything to improve its softness. Unlike real leather, which absorbs oil, faux leather is not porous and will allow the oil to remain on the surface. Use vinyl conditioner on faux leather jackets to keep them smooth and in good shape.
Which oil is best for leather?
A variety of natural oils work well for conditioning and softening leather. Castor oil is the least expensive choice and can be easily found at pharmacies and supermarket stores.
You can also use coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil, depending on their availability. But olive oil could discolor your favorite leather jacket, while coconut oil leaves a sticky film on the leather's surface.
Does a leather jacket soften over time?
No matter what kind of animal skin it is made of, the leather softens with use. But there are a number of ways to have a more supple feel more quickly, such as wearing it more frequently, softly misting it with water, or treating it with natural oils.
Does saddle soap soften a leather jacket?
One common option for cleaning leather products is saddle soap. Consequently, you can use it to clean your leather jackets of filth, grease, and other undesirable materials. It does not, however, significantly soften them.
Is there a way to soften a leather jacket?
Make an effort to get some movement in while wearing your jacket. To soften the leather, raise your arms, bend your elbows, twist back and forth, and use various actions. How often you wear your jacket to make it softer is not a set guideline. Weekly intervals are a decent target.
How do you break in a leather jacket fast?
When taking a walk in light rain, wear your jacket.
Going for a quick walk in your jacket during a light rain or drizzle is a simple method to accomplish this and get some exercise at the same time. Your garment should get exactly the right amount of moisture from the showers to make it pliable without becoming damaged.
Can stiff leather be softened?
By far the best way to soften leather is to use leather conditioner.
Do leather jackets get less stiff?
It is really rigid and thick. You might attempt the following techniques to break in a brand-new leather motorbike jacket: Put it on: As you wear it, the leather will gradually soften and conform to your body. Put on some leather conditioner. The leather can be made softer and more hydrated by applying oil or conditioner.
Does Vaseline loosen leather?
Leather can be softened with Vaseline. Start by rubbing alcohol on the leather surface with a little cotton pad before applying Vaseline. Each area of the surface should be dabbed until it begins to shine. Strive to ensure that the surface is evenly shining.
How do I make my jacket less stiff?
Should the jacket remain rigid, put it in the dryer beside a sanitized tennis ball and allow the dryer to go through its full cycle. Continue doing this until the jacket is smooth to the touch.
Why is my leather jacket so stiff?
For example, your leather jacket is more likely to become stiff in texture if it is stored in a dry, low-humidity area. This is because in dry conditions, leather releases part of its moisture. The leather stiffens and gets firmer as the moisture is removed from it.
