Your handbag urgently needs cleaning and you have already chosen the right leather cleaner.
After cleaning, you want to care for, protect and nourish the leather . But now you are faced with the question "leather grease or leather balm" , which is more suitable and which should you use for your leather handbag?
First of all, both products are great for caring for your smooth leather, but you should definitely not use leather grease, leather balm or leather oil for other types of leather , such as suede . Leather grease or leather balm are also unsuitable for caring for artificial leather .
We summarize the differences for you and help you make the right choice for your leather.
What is leather grease?
You could also call leather grease the body butter of leather . Leather grease has a thick to creamy consistency , depending on the ambient temperature, and is usually applied sparingly with a cloth.
Then let the fat rest for a while so that it can be absorbed into the leather; polishing is not necessary here.
The basis of leather grease is Vaseline or animal fats , as well as resins and waxes. Carnauba wax, beeswax, coconut oil or lanolin are often used. But also oils such as
- Castor oil,
- Rapeseed oil,
- Paraffins
- and wool wax can also be found in the ingredients.
Leather grease has been used for centuries to care for and waterproof leather.
When caring for leather with leather grease, the leather gets a water-repellent layer . The leather grease is also highly moisturizing , which means that it cares for and nourishes your leather. Use leather grease particularly sparingly and work it well into the leather.
Leather grease was and is particularly popular for the care of
- Shoes
- Riding equipment (saddle, bridle, leather boots)
- Older leather
Expert knowledge: Leather grease is suitable for the care of smooth leather, but you should not use it on rough leather (nubuck, suede, suede) and aniline leather. This would stick to the surface and leave stains that you cannot remove.
In general, it is very important to clean smooth leather before care; it should be free of dust and dirt, as well as small stains. Then the smooth leather is ready for the extra care.
The ultimate guide & tips on how to care for leather and how to grease it can be found in this article.
What is leather balm?
The body milk of leather could also be called leather balm. Leather balm is an emulsion based on water, resins, waxes (eg beeswax) and oils. Various manufacturers also use jojoba oil to make the balm.
The consistency varies from liquid to viscous, the application is the same as with leather grease, but here it is important to polish afterwards.
Like leather grease, leather balm is highly moisturising and nourishes the leather . However, its liquid to viscous consistency means it penetrates deeper into the leather. It also gives the leather a water and dirt-repellent protective layer .
Here, too, cleaning is important before care: remove dust and dirt from your leather, as well as small stains, and then pamper it with leather balm.
It is most commonly used for the care of:
- Shoes (hiking boots, work shoes)
- Leather clothing
- Handbags and accessories
- Furniture
- Car cockpits
Leather balm is suitable for all types of smooth leather, but not for suede. It would stick to the surface and could leave unsightly stains that cannot be removed.
Leather grease vs leather balm
Well, now it's time to get down to business - let's see which of the two leather care products wins. Leather grease and leather balm definitely have one thing in common. Do you know which one it is?
We are happy to tell you, both products care for and nourish your leather optimally, but you should still pay attention to a few details and choose the appropriate product.
Leather grease
Of course, there are different opinions about the care with leather grease, but there is a unanimous opinion when it comes to the “shine”. Leather grease brings a real “shine” back to the leather.
Advantages:
- Highly moisturising
- Impregnates the leather and protects it from water
- Revives and nourishes old leather
- Brings back shine and suppleness
Disadvantages:
- Leather grease with large amounts of resins and waxes can close the pores and thus impair the breathability of the leather
- Not suitable for all types of leather (suede, aniline leather)
- Does not penetrate deeply into the leather
- Places the greatest strain on the leather surface, but at the same time provides the best protection
- Not as many areas of application as leather balm (car seats, leather sofas, etc. are better treated with leather balm)
Leather balm
Have you ever heard of the “creaking effect”? No? Okay, we’ll go into that in more detail here and also what beeswax has to do with it.
Advantages:
- Highly moisturising
- Impregnates the leather and protects it from water
- Penetrates deeper into the leather
- Nourishes old and brittle leather
- Various applications, from clothing to furniture (make sure that the product does not contain too much beeswax)
Disadvantages:
- Should be re-polished after application and exposure time
- Does not bring as much shine back into the leather
- Not suitable for all types of leather (suede, aniline leather)
- Can have a "creaking effect" if the beeswax content in the product is very high, which could annoy you with shoes and furniture, for example
Leather grease or leather balm: which should I use and when?
You've probably noticed what you shouldn't use leather grease and leather balm for. Exactly, for suede and aniline leather.
You can use leather grease for shoes (including hiking boots, etc.) and for leather that is used outdoors. Leather grease has a strong moisturizing, waterproofing effect and also brings the most shine to your smooth leather.
Leather balm is particularly good for old, brittle and dry leather, as it penetrates deeper into the surface . Leather balm also restores shine and waterproofs the surface .
Yes, it is true, the features are similar, but these two competitors are only real professionals in their field of application.
Conclusion
Both leather grease and leather balm are excellent care products for smooth leather, but with specific differences. Leather grease adds shine and is good for shoes and outdoor leather, while leather balm penetrates deeper into the leather and is especially recommended for old and brittle leather.
Both products are highly moisturising and waterproofing, but have different applications. It is important not to use them on suede or aniline leather, as this can lead to undesirable effects.
The right choice depends on whether you prefer shine or deeper care and which leather item you need the care for.
FAQ
How to apply leather balm?
Leather balm is applied with a cotton cloth or a soft rag and then spread over the leather surface in circular movements with a soft brush. It is important to clean the leather beforehand.
How long does it take for leather grease to absorb?
After application, the leather grease should be left to work for at least 20 minutes.
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