Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Soften or Harden Leather

The softness or the hardness of a piece of leather is important depending on how the leather is used. Leather boots, clothing and straps need to be soft and supple to bend and move freely. Portions of leather saddles, gun holsters and other leather pieces may need to be hardened to provide protection or to maintain a permanently molded shape. Dressing oils are used to soften and lubricate leather, while water is used to form and harden leather.

Things You'll Need

Leather dressing oil
Lint-free towel
Water

Instructions

Softening Leather
- 1
  Spread or spray leather dressing oil over the surface of the leather.
- 2
  Rub the oil into the surface of the leather, using a lint-free towel. Work the oil into the leather's pores. Remove excess oil from the surface.
- 3
  Allow the oil to absorb into the leather for one hour.
- 4
  Apply more oil as necessary to achieve the desired softness.
Hardening Leather
- 5
  Immerse the leather piece in room temperature water for 10 minutes.
- 6
  Heat a pot of water to 180 degrees.
- 7
  Immerse the leather piece in the hot water. Watch it for about a minute as it becomes dark and slightly curled.
- 8
  Remove it from the hot water and allow it to dry for several hours. Initially, the leather will have a rubbery feel and can be stretched or molded into the appropriate shape. As the leather dries, it will become increasingly stiff, holding any stretching or molding done while it was wet.

Other Hobbies