Why Your Leather Bag Needs Oiling – The Secret to Long-Lasting Elegance

A leather bag is a long-term, durable part of your journey, which signifies style and elegance. A leather bag is an investment and not just an accessory that can be used.  Whether you choose any type of leather bag, it is an investment, and the main thing is that it is only valuable if it is cared for properly, because leather needs the right care to make it last longer. And one thing that is majorly needed to keep your leather new and shiny is using natural vegetable oil, which helps you maintain the leather and its shine throughout your usage.

Let’s get more details for you to understand why this process is important to keep your bag maintained and make it last for years.

Why Leather Dries Out: The Hidden Enemy of Elegance

Leather is a material that is made from animal hide, and it appears to be natural. With daily and overtime usage factors like sunlight, dust, water, and moisture, leather tends to dull and lose its natural appearance, resulting in the loss of its natural oils, which are essential for leather. And if this happens to leather, it starts getting dull, dry, and cracking, which makes it look very old and dull while using it, which has an impact on your personality.

This damage is caused directly to the material of the leather, which is losing its strength and flexibility. And this is the reason why using natural oil for your leather is important to make it look shiny, attractive, and luxurious. Usage of natural oil for leather care is best, and maintaining it for the long term is also.

Natural Vegetable Oils: A Safe, Eco-Frendly Solution

Natural vegetable oil is safe for leather as it has quality that helps define the leather's shine, durability, and luxuriousness. These natural oils are biodegradable, which contain a rich essence of moisturisation that goes deep into the leather, allowing it to soak, making it breathe, and opening pores for it from within to look as it was at the time of purchase.

Here are a few top choices:

• Coconut Oil – It is easily available and is lightweight. This oil makes your leather soft and shiny.

• Flaxseed (Linseed) Oil – This is better for leather that is aged, as it restores all the good qualities that make it flexible and penetrates.

• Sunflower Oil – It is best because it is not greasy and is a very light oil.

All the above oils are vegetable oils that are used for leather, which gives a natural appearance to every leather.

Also Read - Ultimate Guide: Care and Maintenance of Leather Briefcase — Classy Leather Bags

How to Oil Your Leather Bag with Natural Oils (Step-by-Step)

There are very few steps involved in caring for leather with natural oils. It is very simple and requires a few steps that will help your leather to shine and bring it back to its natural quality.

Step-by-Step Oiling Guide:

Clean the Surface:

Use a dry cloth to remove and wipe dust, and make sure it is fully dried before applying any oil.

Choose Your Oil:

Choose an oil that is fresh and natural. Avoid using oils which is old as these can harm your leather and make it look odd.

Test First:

Check the oil before using it, use it on a space which is hidden, this will let you know if there are any colour changes or damage to the leather.

Apply Lightly:

The main step is to take oil in a soft cloth and then wipe the cloth in circular motion in a gentle way, mainly on the dry section.

Let It Soak:

After using the oil, keep the bag for 8-12 hrs to let it absorb the oil and place it in a dry and cool place, avoiding sunlight.

Buff for Shine:

The last step involves cleaning the access oil that is left over on the bag, which will give it a natural shine.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Vegetable Oils on Leather

There are a few tips that include dos and don’ts while using oil on leather.

 Do:

• Use natural, cold, and vegetable oil.

• Apply on a timely basis.

• Store in a proper location that is in a cool, dry place after oiling.

• Do oiling approximately. Every 3-6 months, according to the requirement.

 Don’t:

• Use the oil in the right condition; over-oiling makes it greasy.

• Avoid using it. Use suede, nubuck, or patent leather

• Always do testing before using the oil.

• Avoid using flavoured oils to protect the leather from damage.

Conclusion

Oiling is easy, simple, and affordable, which can be done regularly to keep the leather in its natural condition. If oiling is done to leather, it helps the leather to maintain its shine, make it durable for the long term, extend the life of the leather, and prevent cracking of the leather. Leather oiling makes it more natural, and with age, it gets more beautiful.

And with very few steps and less investment, you can bring he natural bag back to your usage.

FAQs

1. Which natural vegetable oil is best for leather bags?

There is a wide range of oils available, which are best for leather bags; a few of them are coconut and sunflower oils. Each oil has different substances and different qualities.

2. Will vegetable oil darken my leather?

Yes, there are chances of getting a darker leather after oil usage. This can be tested on a small patch before applying it to the whole bag, because natural oil gives a deeper, darker colour.

3. How often should I oil my leather bag?

It all depends on the leather condition and the weather it has been used in. And 3-6 months are common times you should use oil on your leather bag.

4. Can I use olive oil or baby oil on leather?

No, olive oil and baby oil are not suitable for leather. These can damage the leather and cause stains on it. And it also makes it greasier and quickly damages the leather.