How to Soften Leather Tool Belt? – 4 Easy Techniques

What to prepare:

Step 1: Attach pouches to the belt

• In order to soften leather bag naturally, you should choose suede or nubuck pouches, since these take less time to stretch out.
• Add several heavy items to the pouches and wear them as often as possible. The extra weight can break in a leather belt quickly.

Step 2: Moisturize

You can soften leather bag by moisturizing them. I’d emphasize that you shouldn’t submerge them in water to avoid damaging the leather. In addition, use distilled water instead of tap water, since tap water contains minerals that create stains on the belt.

• Mix an equal amount of water and rubbing alcohol well.
• You can apply the mixture using a sprayer or a damp cloth.
• Wipe off excess liquid with a dry towel.

 Step 3: Apply glycerin soap

Glycerin is known as a moisturizing ingredient. You can find this substance in glycerin soap. Here, applying it to leather evenly can supply moisture and make the material less hard.

Step 4: Add oils

• Pour a little neatsfoot oil or mink oil onto a lint-free rag.
• Rub it on the leather tool pouch in circular motions to soften it. Note that you can apply up to 3 layers of oil. Give the substance several days to work its magic.

What to prepare

Step 1: Coat rubbing alcohol

I’d highlight the fact that rubbing alcohol can irritate your skin, so you should wear gloves while working with it.

• Pour alcohol onto a cotton ball or a towel.
• You can dab several coats of alcohol on the belt. When the liquid comes into contact with leather, the leather’s pores will open and you should let it soak for up to 2 minutes.

Step 2: Apply Vaseline

Vaseline soften leather because its key ingredient is petroleum jelly, which consists of mineral oils and waxes.

• Spread a thin layer of Vaseline or any kind of petroleum jelly over the belt.
• After that, any excess vaseline may be wiped away using a clean towel.
• Wait several minutes to dry the leather belt before using it. If you want to speed up drying, you can place it under gentle sunlight.

What to prepare

Step 1: Cover with conditioners

Using leather conditioners is the best way to soften leather, whether you have an Occidental tool belt or any other brand. Keep in mind to read the instructions carefully before applying any product to leather.

• Add a conditioner to a lint-free rag.
• Then, coat your belt entirely with this towel. You can repeat this process several times to ensure all corners are covered with the conditioner.

Step 2: Let it dry

Now, all that’s left is to air-dry your belt. Never use a dryer or hair dryer as they can be too harsh. That said, you can spread your tool belt under the sun to speed up the process.

Natural oils such as jojoba, almond, olive, avocado, and coconut oil are excellent for softening leather. However, it should be noted that they can darken the material a bit. If you don’t care much about that, let’s follow the procedure below.

What to prepare:

Step 1: Let leather pores open

• You need to remove debris from the tool belt to protect the leather from scratches while rubbing.
• In case you want the leather to absorb much oil in a short time, spread the tool belt under the sun for 10-20 minutes in order to open the leather pores.

Step 2: Apply oils

Pour the oil onto the leather belt and rub it evenly using your fingers. Due to its natural features, you can apply many coats without worrying about oil affecting the leather.

Step 3: Dry

Let the leather dry in a clean and well-ventilated room for several hours before putting it on.