Can You Use Hair Conditioner On Leather? (10 Pros & Cons)

Can You Use Hair Conditioner On Leather?

There are a lot of myths out there about leather care. One of the most common is that you can’t use hair conditioner on leather. This is actually not true! In fact, using hair conditioner on leather can be a great way to keep it looking fresh, nourished, moisturized, and new. In this article, we will discuss the benefits and downsides of using hair conditioner on leather, as well as how to do it properly.

Hair Conditioners

Hair conditioners as we’re all aware of are used to condition our hair, making it softer, shinier, and healthier. But did you know that it can also do the same for your leather?

Leather is actually a lot like our hair in that it can become dry, brittle, and damaged over time. Just like our hair needs regular conditioning to stay healthy and look its best, so does leather.

The only thing you need to keep in mind is that there are different types of leather conditioners and depending on the type of leather conditioner you have, you will want to use it accordingly.

For example, if you have a conditioner that is oil-based, you will want to be careful not to overdo it as too much oil can actually damage leather. On the other hand, if you have a water-based conditioner, you can feel free to use it more liberally.

Also, there are hair conditioners that are acidifying conditioners because they normally have a pH range between 3 and 4. These types of hair conditioners are generally not appropriate for leather as they can damage and weaken the fibers.

Now that we know a little bit more about hair conditioners, let’s talk about conditioning leather.

Conditioning Leather

So one of the main reasons why you may be considering using a hair conditioner on your leather is because it can help to keep it moisturized and conditioned. Conditioning leather is an integral part of leather care and maintenance.

Leather, just like our skin, needs to be moisturized regularly in order to stay supple and prevent cracking. Applying a conditioner helps to replenish the natural oils that are lost over time due to exposure to the elements or everyday wear and tear.

Another reason why you condition your leather is that it can help to protect it from the sun. Ultraviolet rays can damage and fade leather, so using a conditioner with built-in UV protection can help to keep your leather looking its best for longer.

Lastly, using a conditioner can also help to prevent water damage. Water can cause the leather to swell, warp, and crack, so if you’re going to be using your leather in a wet environment, it’s important to make sure it is properly conditioned beforehand.

Now that we know the reasons why you should be conditioning your leather, let’s talk about the reasons why you can use hair conditioner on leather.

Reasons Why You Can Use Hair Conditioner On Leather

There are some reasons why hair conditioners can be useful when it comes to leather items such as leather boots, leather jackets, purses, and so on.

1. Leather-Safe Ingredients

The main reason why you can use hair conditioner on your leather items is that it contains ingredients like wax, paraffin, lanolin, and oils which can help to keep the leather moisturized.

Hair conditioners also contain conditioning agents such as glycerin, silicone, and protein that can help to keep the leather soft and supple.

Hair conditioners are generally made to be safe to be safe and gentle enough for our hair, which means that they will also be safe and gentle enough for our leather.

2. pH-Balanced Formulas

Another reason why you can use hair conditioner on your leather is that most hair conditioners have a pH-balanced formula. This means that the hair conditioner will not be too acidic or too alkaline, which can damage the leather.

This is important as using a pH-balanced formula can help to prevent the leather from becoming dry and brittle. You can have a lot of hair conditioners that have a pH level of around 6, which is the perfect range for leather.

3. Restores Natural Oils

As we mentioned before, one of the reasons why you should be conditioning your leather is because it can help to replenish the natural oils that are lost over time.

Most hair conditioners contain ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil which can help to restore the natural oils in the leather. This is important as it can help to keep the leather soft, supple, and moisturized.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons why using hair conditioners on leather can be beneficial. If you’re looking for a way to keep your leather items looking their best, then using a hair conditioner is definitely a good alternative.

Note: Just remember to always test the hair conditioner on a small area of the leather first to ensure that it does not cause any damage.

The Pros Of Using Hair Conditioner On Leather

Now let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using hair conditioner on leather.

1. Hair Conditioners Can Help Keep Leather Moisturized

First of all, as we’ve already mentioned, hair conditioners can help to keep leather moisturized. This is because most hair conditioners contain ingredients that are designed to hydrate and nourish the hair.

These same ingredients can also be beneficial for leather items. By using a hair conditioner on your leather, you can help to keep it moisturized and prevent it from becoming dry and brittle.

However, it’s important to note that the same cannot be said for suede. So you should not use hair conditioner on suede as it can cause the suede to become damaged. Stick to using hair conditioners on smooth leathers and faux leather goods.

2. Hair Conditioners Can Help Protect Leather From The Sun

Another benefit of using hair conditioner on leather is that it can help to protect the leather from the sun. These types of hair conditioners are known to have thermal protection. This is because most hair conditioners contain ingredients like SPF that can act as a barrier against the sun’s UV rays.

The sun contains harmful UV rays that can cause the leather to become faded and brittle over time. By using a hair conditioner with SPF, you can help to protect your leather goods from the sun and keep them looking like new for longer.

3. Hair Conditioners Can Help Prevent Water Damage

Hair conditioners can also help to protect leather from water damage. This is because most hair conditioners contain ingredients like wax that act as a barrier against water. As we all know, water can cause the leather to become stiff, dry, and brittle.

So by using a hair conditioner that contains wax, you can help to protect your leather goods from water damage and keep them looking their best. You will often find that most cheap hotel hair conditioners will contain a lot of waxes that when used on leather goods can help to protect them from water damage.

4. Hair Conditioners Can Help Keep Leather Soft And Supple

Hair conditioners also contain natural oils like coconut oil that can help to keep leather soft and supple. Over time, the leather can become dry and stiff.

By using a hair conditioner that contains natural oils, you can help to keep the leather soft and supple. This is important as it can prevent the leather from cracking and becoming damaged over time.

This way, you will be able to break in your leather item and make its use a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

5. Hair Conditioners Can Help Restore Shine To Leather

The containing oils, waxes, etc. can also help to restore shine to leather. Over time, the leather can become dull and faded due to exposure to the sun, water, and other elements.

By using a hair conditioner, you can help to restore the shine to your leather goods and make them look like new again. This is a great way to extend the life of your leather items while maintaining a rich lustrous shine.

6. Hair Conditioners Are Easy To Use

Another awesome benefit of using hair conditioners on leather is that they are super easy to use. All you need to do is apply the conditioner to a clean cloth and then rub it onto the leather in a circular motion.

You don’t need to worry about using too much or too little as you can always adjust the amount that you use depending on the size of the leather item that you are conditioning.

Once you’ve applied the conditioner, you can then simply wipe off any excess with a clean cloth, and voila! Your leather item is now moisturized and protected.

7. Hair Conditioners Are Inexpensive And Easy To Find

This can be a huge benefit if you have a lot of leather goods that you need to condition on a regular basis.

Hair conditioners are relatively inexpensive, and you can often find them on sale at your local drugstore or supermarket. This means that you won’t have to spend a fortune in order to keep your leather goods looking their best.

Also, chances are, you already have a hair conditioner at home that you can use on your leather goods.

The Cons Of Using Hair Conditioner On Leather

While there are several benefits to using hair conditioner as a leather conditioner for your leather goods, there are also a few drawbacks you need to keep in mind to avoid damaging your leather.

Before you start using hair conditioner on your leather, it’s important to understand the potential risks and cons involved so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right method for you.

Keep reading to learn about the potential drawbacks of using hair conditioners on leather.

1. Acidifying Hair Conditioners Can Damage Leather

One of the potential drawbacks of using hair conditioners on leather is that some hair conditioners can be quite acidic.

This means that if you use, accidentally spill, or get any of these types of conditioners on your leather, it could potentially dry out or cause the leather to become brittle and crack.

To avoid this, it’s important to only use hair conditioners that are designed for sensitive scalps and to be very careful when applying the conditioner to your leather goods.

2. Some Hair Conditioners Can Cause Leather To Become Sticky

Another potential drawback of using hair conditioner on leather is that some types of hair conditioners can cause the leather to become sticky.

This is because some hair conditioners contain ingredients like silicone that can leave residue on the leather. This residue can then attract dirt and dust, which can eventually lead to the leather becoming stained or looking dull.

If you use a hair conditioner that contains these types of ingredients, it’s important to be sure to buff the leather surface completely so that no residue is left behind.

3. Hair Conditioners Will Darken Leather Over Time

If you consistently use hair conditioner on your leather goods, you will notice that the leather will gradually darken over time. This is because the oils and other ingredients in the hair conditioner will gradually build up on the surface of the leather.

While this may not be a problem for some people, it’s something you should keep in mind if you’re trying to maintain the original color of your leather goods.

How To Properly Condition Leather With Hair Conditioner

Using hair conditioner on leather is a very simple and straightforward process. Here are the things you need and the processes to follow if you want to use hair conditioner on your leather:

Things Needed:

  • A mild, acid-free hair conditioner
  • A clean, soft cloth
  • Water
  • Dish Soap Or Leather Cleaner

Procedure:

Step 1: Start by cleaning the leather thoroughly

  • Before you start, it’s important to make sure that your leather item is clean especially if you have not done so in a while.
  • Simply wipe down the leather with a damp cloth and some dish soap or leather cleaner.
  • Once your leather item is clean, you can then begin conditioning it with the hair conditioner.

Step 2: Conditioning

  • Once your leather is clean, take a small amount of the hair conditioner on your fingertips and begin massaging it into the leather.
  • You can also use an applicator or clean cloth for this.
  • Be sure to work the conditioner into all of the nooks and crannies, as well as the surface of the leather.
  • Make sure to only apply a very thin layer of hair conditioner on your leather.

Step 3: Allow the hair conditioner to soak in

  • If you’re dealing with natural leather, you would want to give the hair conditioner up to 5 minutes to soak into the leather.
  • On the other hand, if you’re dealing with synthetic leather, you would only need to give the conditioner about 30 seconds to a minute.

Step 4: Wipe off any excess conditioner

  • Once the hair conditioner has soaked into the leather, take a clean and dry cloth and wipe off any excess conditioner that might be on the surface.
  • Buff the leather surface thoroughly to bring back its shine.

Step 5: Air dry the leather

  • Last but not least, put the leather you just conditioned in a cool dry place and allow it to gradually air dry.
  • Do not use any heat source or put it under direct sunlight as this can damage the leather.
  • Once the leather is dry, you can then use it as usual.
  • And that’s it! You’re now done conditioning your leather with hair conditioner.

Important Tips When Using Hair Conditioner On Leather

There are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to avoid damaging your leather goods. Here are some tips on how to properly condition leather with hair conditioner:

  • Only use hair conditioners that are designed for sensitive scalps. These types of conditioners will be less likely to cause damage to your leather.
  • Avoid using hair conditioners that contain too much alcohol, silicone, or other harsh chemicals. These ingredients can strip away the natural oils from the leather, making it dry and brittle instead of moisturized.
  • Only use a very small amount of hair conditioner on your leather. Applying too much conditioner can leave behind a sticky residue that can attract dirt and dust.
  • Be sure to always test the hair conditioner on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather first before applying it all over. This will help you determine if the conditioner is compatible with your leather and if it will cause any damage.
  • Condition your leather goods regularly to keep them moisturized and looking their best.
  • Only use hair conditioners in case of emergencies and get a regular leather conditioner for your leather goods.

Best Alternatives To Hair Conditioners On Leather

While hair conditioners can work in a pinch, it’s not the best product to use on leather long-term. Here are some better alternatives you can use to condition your leather goods:

Leather Honey Leather Conditioner

This is a natural leather conditioner that is made with a blend of beeswax, lanolin, and other conditioning oils. It’s designed to deeply penetrate into the leather to moisturize and protect it from further damage.

Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Conditioner

This is another great natural leather conditioner that contains a blend of lanolin, beeswax, and other conditioning oils. It’s designed to nourish and revitalize dry, cracked, and damaged leather.

Bickmore Bick-Leather Conditioner

This is a professional-grade leather conditioner that is made with a blend of natural oils and waxes. It’s designed to penetrate deep into the leather to moisturize and protect it from further damage.

Lexol Leather Conditioner

This is a popular leather conditioner that is made with a blend of natural oils and waxes. It’s designed to nourish and protect leather from further damage.

This is a popular leather conditioner that is made with a blend of natural oils and waxes. It’s designed to moisturize and protect all types of leather from further damage.

Coconut Oil

This is a natural oil that can be used to condition leather. It can penetrate deep into the leather to moisturize and protect it from further damage.

Olive Oil

If you don’t have any leather conditioner on hand, you can try using olive oil. Pour a small amount of oil into your palm and rub it into the leather in a circular motion.

The oil will help to moisturize and protect the leather. Wipe away any excess oil with a clean cloth. You should notice an immediate difference in the appearance of your leather.

Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly

You can try using a small amount of Vaseline or petroleum jelly. Apply it to a clean, soft cloth and rub it into the leather in a circular motion.

Let it sit for about 15 minutes before wiping away any excess with another clean, soft cloth. This method works best on unfinished or lightly finished leather.

Kwabena

Hi! I’m Kwabena, the owner and founder of Favored Leather. I’m a huge Leathercraft enthusiast and I’ve been that for almost 13 years now. I'm excited to share my experiences and all the new stuff I learn each day about leather craft, leather cleaning & care, and everything in-between!

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