What can I use to soften leather?

I have some leather boots which are quite stiff and would like to know what I can use to soften them without affecting the colour. Suggestions please?!

What can I use to soften leather?
Similar to hungryjoes answer, squaws used to pee on their leather to soften it. your next question should be how to remove pee odours from your boots.
Reply:I did read the other facts before i presented my own ;) I'm sure the other answerers wont mind. =/ Report It

Reply:vaseline oil
Reply:simple... just rub some good quality washing up liquid onto the inside and wear as normal, they will be soft in no time. i've been doing this to my doc martins for 20 years.... don't use too much tho!!!!!!!!!
Reply:Saddle soap and water.





Worked on my Army boots!
Reply:While we are on this subject, [I] will pass on a formula that I have used for many years, mainly on English tanned leathers. This was passed on to me by a longtime friend and saddlemaker in England. This is a product you will make up yourself.


You will first need to go to a meat market and obtain a good sized chunk of suet, which can be from either beef or from sheep. Take this home and put it in a roaster and put it in a 300 degree oven and let it render to a liquid. Then, strain it through a fine sieve or a thin towel into a container. Determine the amount you have and then, while it is still hot, add the same amount of inexpensive Cod liver oil.


This may then be poured into smaller containers for storage. As it cools, it will harden to the consistency of pure tallow taper candles, so, when you want to use it, you again will heat it to liquefy it.


After you have cleaned your leather item with a good grade of saddle soap, you will then apply the tallow/fish oil mixture, working it well into the leather. This will give you a nice waxy feel and is basically the same formula that the tanneries in England use in preparing their bridle and harness leathers. To give it a little more of a waxy feel, you may add a little pure carnuba wax to it.


If you use sheep tallow, the mixture will remain in a softer state, when cool, since sheep tallow does not cure out as hard as beef tallow.


In putting it on natural leather, I have not noticed the leather darkening any more so than through the use of pure Neatsfoot oil.


- Ron Ross


I found this interesting tidbit way down at the bottom of the page of these tried remedies...Take a look for a natural way to soften your leather things...
Reply:Mink oil will help soften them, but if they are light coloured it may darken them. I would ask a shoemaker for a suggestion on what would work if they are light coloured so that you don't ruin them.
Reply:Oakwood Leather Conditioner. Check the website to find a retailer near you.





http://www.oakwoodusa.net
Reply:if its for shoes or a basdeball glove "dubbin" works good..its an oil similar to vasalene,,,,it works great. used it on baseball gloves to keep the moisture in the leather.
Reply:Urine. Pee on/in them and massage thoroughly.
Reply:Stick them in the tumble dryer for a few minutes then put them on straight away an walk round in them.



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