Leather is a durable product, but if you want it to look its best and last as long as possible, you need to properly care for it. One of the best ways to care for your leather products — from leather car seats to leather shoes — is to condition them. Conditioning your leather products will make them look great and make them last. Here's everything you need to know about how to condition leather.
WHY CONDITIONING LEATHER MATTERS
Here are the benefits of leather conditioning:
- Protection. Conditioning leather will add a layer of protection to the product. Leather jackets, car seats, shoes and bags are often exposed to elements like rain, wind and sunlight. Not to mention dirt. When you use a leather conditioner — like Leather Honey Leather Conditioner — on the items it helps protect them from getting damaged.
- Appearance. Leather conditioning brings out the best in your leather. Much like how your skin needs moisture, leather does too. When you condition the leather, you keep it looking fresh, vibrant and smooth.
- Durability. Properly cleaned and conditioned leather products can last a lifetime. You likely spent good money on that leather jacket, so why not make sure it lasts forever? Conditioning leather is one the best ways to make leather last. If leather becomes dry, it will crack and eventually deteriorate. Adding Leather Honey Leather Conditioner at least once every six months will ensure your leather products last forever.
» Read our full guide to cleaning leather
LEATHER CONDITIONING IN 6 EASY STEPS
- Prepare the item. If your leather has laces, straps or accessories that won't take to conditioning, remove them. Doing this will also allow the conditioner to soak in properly.
- Clean the leather. Before you even get to leather conditioning, the leather must be cleaned. First, use a lint-free cloth to remove any loose dirt and debris. Then use a small amount of Leather Honey Leather Cleaner on the leather product. If it is something that exposed to lots of sunlight — like leather car seats — we recommend using Leather Honey Leather Cleaner With UV Protectant.
- Let the leather dry. Once you've finished cleaning the leather item, let it dry completely before applying conditioner. Ideally you should wait 24 hours to ensure the leather is ready to be conditioned.
- Do a spot test. Now that your leather is ready to be conditioned, we recommend testing Leather Honey Leather Conditioner in a small, discreet area. The leather will darken some due to the moisture returning to the item. This effect will fade as time goes by.
- Condition the leather. Gently apply a small amount of Leather Honey Leather Conditioner to your leather item. You can use our pre-made wipes or a lint-free cloth. Use circular motions and make sure you get every nook, cranny and crease of the leather.
- Allow the leather to dry. Just as you let your leather dry after cleaning, allow your leather to dry after conditioning. If there is any conditioner residue left on the product after 24 hours, go ahead and wipe it away with your cloth.
MORE TO KNOW ABOUT LEATHER CONDITIONING
Some common questions people have about conditioning leather items.
What is the best thing to condition leather with?
A specially formulated leather conditioner, like Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, is the best choice when conditioning leather. You should avoid DIY solutions because they ultimately do more harm than good.
How do you rehydrate leather?
You can rehydrate your leather by regularly conditioning it. The more you use the leather item, the more often it should be conditioned. As we mentioned above, you should clean the leather before conditioning it.
What does leather conditioner do?
Leather conditioner replenishes the natural moisture and oils that are found in genuine leather. Conditioner protects the leather, makes it more durable and keeps it looking great.
