A few months ago, your new leather bag was so beautifully soft and smooth. After all your adventures, it has marks on its surface and would love a proper pampering program.
You can easily offer this to your handbag, we will explain what you should pay attention to when greasing leather. In this guide you will also find out a few helpful tips and whether it is advisable to grease leather with household remedies.
Greasing a leather bag: A must for the care of your leather bag?
Yes, an absolute must for your leather. During the tanning process, the animal fats are removed from the leather , as they would quickly become rancid and start to smell .
This is also the most important point why leather should be greased regularly.
But not only for this reason, leather is exposed to environmental influences (rain, sun, skin oils, sweat) which change the properties of the leather. Greasing the leather also serves as a waterproofing against the influences described.
So to summarize, greasing leather serves to care for it and to waterproof it, these are two important aspects that promote the longevity of leather.
Which fats and care products are ideal?
In addition to the classic leather grease , you can also buy leather wax, leather balm or leather oil from specialist retailers. The advantage of professional leather care products is that they are specially tailored to the different types of leather .
Well, what should I use now, you might ask yourself! Take a look at our guide to leather grease or leather balm , where you will find important information about these care products.
In addition, these care mixtures are often tailored to the level of wear and tear. These include wax-oil mixtures, wax-protein mixtures or lanolin-glycerin mixtures.
The wax-oil mixture is particularly suitable for the regular care of leather that is subject to normal wear and tear.
Wax-protein mixtures are for heavily used leather; they are highly moisturizing and very rich in their composition.
Expert tip: The lanolin-glycerin mixtures are great for treating brittle and cracked leather , so if you want to treat old leather, this mixture is ideal.
Industrially produced leather grease: everything you need to know
The recipes of industrially produced leather grease are precisely tailored to the leather and its needs. You will find a large selection of leather greases in specialist shops, e.g. for the regular care of lightly used leather, or for heavily used leather.
You will be amazed at how many variations there are for the different types of leather.
Briefly summarized for you:
- Industrial leather grease is precisely tailored to the leather
- It contains all the substances that nourish and care for the leather
- Industrially produced leather grease usually does not leave any discoloration on the leather
The essentials in brief:
- Before maintenance comes cleaning (remove dust and dirt and wipe with a damp cloth)
- Apply leather grease sparingly, preferably with a soft cotton cloth
- Allow the grease to work and dry well before using the leather again
How useful are home remedies for caring for leather?
You can easily clean your leather bag with household products if you don't have a professional leather cleaner on hand.
You can also care for leather with household remedies, i.e. nourishing and greasing the leather . However, we would recommend a professional leather care product for the care of the leather. These leather care products are optimally tailored to the leather and care for and nourish it.
Caring for leather with oil: Is it good for the leather?
Yes and no, you can care for leather with olive oil, it has good care properties. However, it is not ideal for leather, it can oversaturate the leather and leave a greasy film on it.
The pores of the leather can absorb the olive oil, but cannot transport it further optimally, which leads to the leather becoming oversaturated. This also applies to other vegetable oils.
That is why Vaseline is suitable for greasing
Vaseline (Latin: petrolatum) is an inexpensive household remedy for leather care. It penetrates deep into the pores of the leather and makes it supple and soft. The petroleum-containing cream can also smooth out small cracks and scratches on the leather surface and is also used for waterproofing.
Yes, because Vaseline is almost insoluble in alcohol and water and this property is ideal for impregnation.
So you can care for your smooth leather goods with Vaseline and waterproof them at the same time.
How to grease leather in just 4 steps
OK, now you have received some tailored information about leather care, it is time for us to care for the leather . We will tell you what you need to consider when you want to apply leather grease and work it in. Let's get started!
Step 1: Clean leather properly
As you might have guessed, the first and most important step before caring for leather is cleaning.
Clean your leather bag thoroughly before you start caring for the leather. Dust, dirt and soiling should be removed before the care layer is applied so that they do not get into the leather (the pores).
A damp cotton cloth is ideal for this. If you have some stubborn dirt, mix a few drops of soap with distilled water and wipe the bag over a large area. Then wipe again with a clean, damp cloth.
Step 2: Grease the leather
To grease the leather you need a soft, clean and dry cloth or alternatively a soft sponge.
Put a small amount of leather conditioner on the cloth and apply it to the leather in circular motions, making sure to apply it evenly and not to rub.
Step 3: Let the leather dry
After this pampering program, the leather needs to dry . Once the leather is dry, you can polish it with a clean, lint-free cloth, but this is not necessary . Just read the instructions on the care product.
Step 4: Impregnate leather
Finally, you can give the leather a waterproofing treatment . This will protect the leather optimally from environmental influences such as rain and UV radiation, but also from dirt. We will show you how to do this in a separate guide
Conclusion
In this guide, you learned how important it is to regularly care for your leather bag and how greasing the leather makes a decisive contribution to its longevity . By using professional leather care products that are specifically tailored to the different types of leather, you can ensure that your leather is optimally nourished and protected. While home remedies such as olive oil can be used, we still recommend using special leather care products to achieve the best results.
The step-by-step instructions for greasing and caring for your leather bag show how important it is to prepare and carry out this process correctly. By cleaning, greasing and waterproofing, you not only preserve the beauty of your leather , but also protect it from the stresses of everyday life.
Remember that caring for your leather is an ongoing process . By taking the necessary steps regularly, you can ensure that your leather bag stays in top condition and continues to bring you joy for years to come.
FAQ
How often should you grease leather?
The frequency of greasing depends on the wear and tear of your leather. As a general rule, however, it is recommended to treat it every few months. Leather goods that are subject to heavy wear may need to be refreshed more often.
Can you grease any leather?
Yes, most types of leather benefit from regular conditioning and greasing, with the exception of suede. Greasing suede could alter the velvety character of this type of leather. However, it is important to consider the manufacturer's instructions and the specific needs of your leather.
Can you grease the leather too much?
Yes, too much oil can cause the leather to become overly saturated and create an undesirable film on the surface. Be sure to use the recommended amount of care products and distribute them evenly. By following the correct care practices, you will surely be able to preserve the beauty of your leather and maximize its lifespan.
Find out more by reading our other articles:
- Removing scratches from leather: home remedies and insider tips
- Leather bag smells of chemicals: 6 tips to combat the smell
- Removing ballpoint pen from leather: effective tips & tricks
- Cleaning greasy leather: care tips & home remedies