Vaseline softens the leather, but it also protects the leather from cracking. Vaseline makes your leather items waterproof and helps remove scratches and scuffs. Vaseline is also known as petroleum jelly and is very popular all over the world.
There are advantages as well as disadvantages of Vaseline on the leather that we will discuss here.
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Vaseline Pros for Leather
Vaseline can remove scratches
Minor scratches, tears, and scuffs may be treated by using Vaseline. These problems are quickly erased by Vaseline. Petroleum jelly gets into the fibers of the leather to restore it.
Petroleum jelly helps to make leather soft:
Vaseline contains oils, therefore it helps to make leather supple and soft. Petroleum jelly can be applied to dried leather to lubricate it.
Improve the color
Leather loses its color richness after a while, and petroleum jelly helps it to regain its original color. Vaseline provides a luxurious and classic look to your leather products.
Clean the surface
Petroleum jelly can penetrate the pores and help in deep cleaning. Moreover, it doesn’t hurt the color of your leather while cleaning the leather.
Put a shine on leather
The shine of leather wears off after a few uses. But petroleum jelly may help to restore its shine in less than a minute.
Help with tanning
The process that converts the hides into leather is known as tanning. Chrome or oil tanning and vegetable tanning are common tanning methods. Vaseline can be used in oil tanning. Oil tanning is common in the leather market because this process is cheaper and takes less than 24 hours.
Aid in preservation
Petroleum jelly helps in leather preservation if any specialized product is not available. Vaseline nourishes the leather, helping it to last longer.
Make leather waterproof
Waterproofing materials are a good option for outdoor products that will not irritate you in the rainy season. Petroleum jelly may give you an adequate amount of water resistance that increases the value of leather products.
Vaseline Cons for Leather
Unfortunately, most of the things have disadvantages as well as advantages. So, the use of Vaseline also has some cons which we will discuss here:
Vaseline needs to be applied constantly
Vaseline doesn’t stay for a long time on the leather. It may take more attention and time to apply Vaseline constantly. Too much application of petroleum jelly may make the leather softer than necessary.
Breakdown the tensile strength of the leather
When petroleum jelly is applied, leather fibers expand and results in losing the tensile strength of the fibers.
Not the best conditioner
Vaseline is not formulated as the best conditioner for leather, because leather doesn’t soak it adequately. You need a constant application for better performance.
Tip for application of petroleum jelly on leather
- Before applying petroleum jelly, clean the surface of the leather with dish soap and warm water.
- Allow the petroleum jelly to dry for at least an hour after its application.
- Buff off the excess petroleum jelly from the leather surface.
- Use a clean cloth for the application of petroleum jelly.
- A hairdryer helps the Vaseline sink deep into the pores of the leather. Help to make leather shiny, and waterproof.