Nomad Nappa - Known to design timeless and the most luxurious leather apparel, we are committed to providing you with a companion in each of your adventures. 

Our premium-crafted handbags are strong and help you store your essentials. Plus, our bags have a stylish look that never goes unnoticed.

For that reason, it is utterly important that all your leather goods remain in their optimum condition. Leather only feels the best when it's kept supple.

However, leather goods naturally stiffen over time, and to avoid this, you must learn how to soften leather bags. In this blog, we have outlined a professional guide to help you make your leather bags last a long time. 

Understanding The Stiffness 

There are many reasons why leather becomes stiff and thick over time, and these problems can simply be solved by easy solutions for what softens leather. 

But before we delve into that, let’s get an overview of what causes stiff leather. 

Lack Of Conditioning

Regular conditioning is an important element in making your leather last long. Constant moisturizing and nourishing restores the leather’s balance and protects it from cracking. Failing to perform this step will hasten the stiffening process.

Natural Aging

Leather is an organic material, so it is subject to ageing, just like wood, paper, or other organic products. Its natural nature is what causes ageing. 

However, as your bag gets old, the natural oils in the leather can also decrease, resulting in a loss of elasticity.

Wrong Way Of Storage

Properly storing your leather is the key to its long life. If your leather goods are directly exposed to sunlight, the risk of destruction is relatively higher. 

Always keep your leather away from direct sunlight and store it in a cool, dry place. 

By understanding these simple causes, the prevention measures become easier for you to understand and follow. 

How To Soften Leather Bag - Techniques You Must Know

Having a clear view of what caused your leather bags to be destroyed is your first step toward fixing your thick and hard leather bags. 

Also, read about how you can repair your leather from scratches

Now, let us look at ways to soften a leather bag that has already become dry or brittle. But above all be careful not to overdo it with harsh methods that would ruin the character of your genuine leather.

If no fats are available, essential oils such as coconut or olive oil may be used, but they should be applied cautiously. 

Since all these leather jacket oils could affect the colouration of the leather, it is important to test in fewer places before application. Here's how:

• Find a small spot inside the bag, like a tiny pocket, that doesn’t ruin the bag's essence if it's damaged. Apply a tiny drop of oil with a cotton swab.
• Then wait for 24 hours. If there's no prominent change in the color or texture, you can proceed with the whole oiling process.
• Rub a piece of soft cloth with a small quantity of oil and work the fabric into the leather car seat. Do not over-oil, as this might make the leather greasy, similar to machinery.

Heat is another effective way to protect your leather bags from stiffness. 

But remember to use heat with extreme caution as it can cause permanent damage if used excessively. 

There are 2 main ways to soften leather bags with heat; let’s explore each in detail.

This method involves heating the leather in low heat to bring the natural oils back to the surface. Here's how to do it safely:

• Loosen straps or buckles and loosely stuff the bag with clean, white cloths or towels. This helps the bag maintain its shape and prevents creases from forming.
• Place the bag near a low heat source, like a fireplace (not too close!) or a space heater on the lowest setting. Never leave the bag unattended, and avoid direct heat exposure.
• Check on the bag frequently. The leather should feel warm to the touch, not hot. If it feels even slightly hot, remove it from the heat source immediately.
• You can repeat this process for short intervals if the leather doesn't soften enough after the first try. However, err on the side of caution and avoid overdoing it.

This method involves the use of steam to warm the leather structure and soften the fibres. Here's a safe way to implement it: Here's a safe way to implement it:

Fill a spray bottle: 

Put 3 pounds of distilled water in a clean spray bottle. It is not advisable to use tap water, as the minerals in it may leave residue on the leather.

Dampen a cloth: 

Wet a clean, soft cloth with the distilled water. The fabric should not be soaking wet but a little moist.

Apply heat with caution: 

Wet the cleaning cloth over the still or rigid parts of the bag. However, it is not advised to directly pour water on the leather.

Use a low iron setting: 

Turn your iron to the lowest temperature for your polyester or other delicate fabrics. 

Avoid using hot irons on leather, as the latter may get damaged entirely.

Iron gently: 

Then, steam the damp fabric over the leather to soften it. Keep moving the iron over the fabric constantly to prevent burnt fabric.

Repeat (if needed): 

If the leather is still too hard after five minutes of treatment, you can repeat this process for another five minutes. 

Do not saturate it with water; it should not be too wet.

With some more dedication, you can prevent your leather from ageing. Read this blog on how to get wrinkles out of leather jackets.  

Closing Remarks

Your Nomad Nappa bag will continue to be a luxurious and comfortable carry-on handbag when you travel next time. 

You must also remember that their use will enhance the look and even the texture of the bag over the years, and it will show better times, like the memories of the adventures you have had or the trips that you have made with the bag in question.

Explore more about leather in detail, read our protection and style guides and discover our timeless leather apparel on our website.