You may have purchased a new pair of leather gloves or noticed a stiffening in an existing team. You’ll want to ensure your gloves are comfortable enough to serve their intended purpose. A pair of fragile gloves will probably not be appropriate for biking, operating machinery, keeping your hands warm, or simply creating a fashion statement, and may even cause abrasions/blisters.

Softening your leather gloves can be accomplished in four simple steps, as detailed below.

 

  1. Leather gloves must be cleaned.
  2. Leather gloves should be conditioned.
  3. Form your leather gloves to fit your hand.
  4. Leather gloves should be waterproofed.

 

Leather gloves must be cleaned

This is an essential step that is frequently ignored, especially if you wish to soften previously used leather gloves. It is not uncommon for dust, dirt, and impurities to accumulate on your leather gloves over time.

Please see our step-by-step guide for cleaning your leather gloves successfully. Removing these accumulated items will aid in maximising the impact of the actions indicated in this article.

If you want to clean fresh gloves before attempting to soften them, skip steps 6 - 8 on the linked page. You should also strive for lighter applications and prefer softer / lighter cleaning solutions for the exteriors of your leather gloves.

Leather gloves should be conditioned

It would be best if you first tried the leather conditioner of your choice on a small, inconspicuous piece of your leather gloves. We want to ensure that your leather conditioner does not discolour or damage your gloves.

Once you've determined that the leather conditioner is safe for general use, apply it with a cotton ball/cloth or microfiber cloth. To achieve uniform application, use gentle, small circular motions to wipe around the whole surface of your leather gloves.

Allow your gloves to sit for an hour or two before wiping away any extra conditioner with a clean, dry cloth.

Conditioning your leather gloves will help to moisturise and soften the leather surfaces, making the break-in process easier. However, use a conditioner that is appropriate for the job. A good conditioner will aid in the development of patina on your leather gloves, giving them a classy, aged appearance.

Generally, avoid mineral oils or conditioners containing silicone or petroleum-based chemicals. These substances may hasten the oxidation process and, in the long run, 'decompose' your leather gloves.

For this purpose, specialised leather conditioners are advised. If you only need a short conditioning fix and don't worry about keeping your leather gloves looking good for more than a year or two, olive oil or vegetable oil may suffice.

As usual, the trick to this step is not to overapply conditioner. In this case, the proverb "less is more" applies.

Form your leather gloves to fit your hand

We want to 'train' your leather gloves to fit your hands now that they are soft and supple from treatment. Leather is a stretchy material, and we want your gloves to conform to the shape of your hands as much as possible during the softening process.

Wearing your leather gloves is the finest way to go. Wearing gloves while conducting simple hobbies or chores at home can help to accelerate this process. The goal is to avoid exposing your leather gloves to excessive heat, wetness, or sweat throughout your tasks.

Vacuuming the floor, driving with your gloves on (please ensure your gloves do not interfere with steering wheel control), watching television, typing on your computer, playing a musical instrument, and other activities are examples.

Avoid doing wet laundry, gardening, swimming, and so on. We want to soften, not damage, your leather gloves. If you wish to speed up the softening process safely and your gloves are more industrial, consider the method outlined below.

Baseball Method

The baseball approach consists of the steps listed below. To begin, put on your leather gloves. Next, grab a baseball or something circular in shape (and challenging). Third, attach your gloves using rubber bands to keep your grasp on the ball. You can now remove your leather glove from your hand (while keeping the shape and grasping the ball) and go about your typical day.

Allow leather handmade gloves to sit for 2 to 3 hours before unbinding them and wearing them while executing various finger stretching exercises. Repeat the process as many times as necessary.

Leather gloves should be waterproofed

This is a completely optional step. While drying your leather gloves will not soften them, it will keep them from stiffening due to water exposure in the future.

You can use an off-the-shelf spray product to waterproof your gloves. While holding the spray gun 10-15cm away, spray the product evenly on the gloves. Wear your gloves during this procedure. Spreading your fingers during the application process might help guarantee that the areas between your fingers are not missed.

You may also make your waterproofing solution with beeswax and olive oil. You'll have a waxy substance that you can use to rub over your leather gloves. After that, buff out your leather gloves with a microfiber cloth.