What's the Best Oil to Soften Leather? Can You Use Olive Oil to Soften Leather?

Co-authored by Carroll Kelly and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: December 17, 2021 References

When breathing new life into your leather goods, there are a lot of oils to choose from. Can you go to your pantry and grab the olive oil, or do you need a specialty blend? When repairing your leather items, you need to make the right choices to avoid more damage. By investing in the right oil to soften your leather, applying it correctly, waiting for it to absorb, and practicing routine care, your items can look and feel luxurious again. To help you out, we’ve answered your most common questions about using oil to soften and condition leather, including which types of oil are the best ones to use.

Question 1

Question 1 of 8:
What’s the best oil to soften leather?

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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.^{[1]
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- Use neatsfoot oil for quick fixes. It shouldn’t be used over a long period of time because it will wear your leather down! For scuffs and cracks, neatsfoot oil is a great option.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Carroll Kelly
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.}
- Almond oil is plant-based and highly absorbent. It’ll also give leather a protective layer. As an added bonus, it’s also safe for your pets.^{[3]
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- Lanolin deeply softens leather. If you have really tough leather, lanolin is best. It’s best for car seats and furniture.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Carroll Kelly
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.}
- Mink oil restores the natural oils in leather. Applying it to dried up leather will moisturize it again. If you have a bunch of leather goods to touch up, like belts, bags, and boots, go for mink oil.
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Question 2

Question 2 of 8:
Can I use olive oil to soften my leather?

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You can, but it’s not recommended. Olive oil will definitely soften your leather goods, but it can stain them, too. Worse, your leather might get really greasy and end up with spots.^{[5]
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- Only use tiny amounts of olive oil. A light coat on items you’re not too attached to, like cheap wallets, is okay. Your leather will get a slight gloss.

Question 3

Question 3 of 8:
How do you soften leather with oil?

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Dust your leather off with a dry cloth to remove any small particles. If there are any mild stains, add soap to warm water, dip a damp washcloth in it, and rub away the stains.
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Put your leather outdoors in the sun for 10 minutes if you can. This will open up the leather's pores so it absorbs more of the oil. It’ll be more flexible if you apply oil after warming up the leather in the sun.^{[6]
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- Once the leather is warmed, dip your finger in your oil of choice and “spot test” it. Press down on the leather and leave one spot. Make sure the oil doesn’t discolor it.
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Apply a thin layer of oil with your finger. Start with a thin coat—you want to check how the oil affects your leather before adding more. If the oil isn’t making your leather greasy or tacky, then you can apply more.^{[7]
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- You can also use a soft cloth to apply oil onto your leather.
4
Let the leather dry before applying more coats. If you like the way your leather looks after it dries, you can apply more coats after the first one.
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Read your oil’s label and see how long it takes to dry. Some products, like mink oil, can take 2 to 3 days to absorb into leather. Neatsfoot oil, on the other hand, sometimes only takes a few minutes to work.

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Question 4

Question 4 of 8:
When should I use oil to soften my leather?

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Use oil when you see small cracks. When your leather gets really worn, you’ll notice it will look a lot different from when you first got it. As soon as you see even a little bit of cracking, that’s a sign your leather has dried up.^{[8]
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- Be proactive with your leather. The more you condition it with oil for small cracks, the longer it’ll stay soft.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Carroll Kelly
  Shoe Care Specialist
  Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.}

Question 5

Question 5 of 8:
Why does oil make leather soft?

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Oil lubricates and moisturizes leather, which makes it softer and more flexible. Leather dries up and cracks when it isn’t well moisturized. Infusing it with oil lubricates all the cracks and makes sure it can move again, lending it a nice softness.^{[10]
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- Your leather is also more waterproof with oil. When it’s waterproof, it won’t dry up as quickly. That means it’ll crack less, and you won’t have to treat it as often.
- Oil fixes any cracks leather already has. If you rub oil into them, you hydrate fibers in the cracks. With that care, cracks will smooth over, making your leather glossier.
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Question 6

Question 6 of 8:
Will oil make my leather last longer?

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Yes, if you apply it routinely. Regularly oiling leather in good condition will keep it soft. Every 6 months, oil your leather. This will condition it and moisturize the fibers without making it too soft.
- Leather can stay good for decades with the right care. By using oil to touch up your leather and keep it soft, it won’t get too worn.

Question 7

Question 7 of 8:
Is softening leather with oil cheaper than getting it professionally repaired?

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In a lot of cases, yes. Most oils that condition your leather are around $10 USD a bottle. Getting leather repaired professionally can be much more expensive.
- Regular touch-ups with oil mean your leather might not need to be professionally repaired at all.
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Question 8

Question 8 of 8:
When should I just get my leather professionally repaired?

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When your leather shows no improvement after touch-ups with oil. If you keep applying oil, but your leather doesn’t look any better and seems really dry, it’s best to seek out a professional. An expert can re-dye and even fully restore your leather.^{[11]
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