Before you proceed with the softening process, make sure that the leather product that you’ll use is prepped. Make sure that you wipe all the dirt off the surface where you intend to condition. You can do it using a clean cloth and a small amount of water. For tougher stains, use a cleaner to get the job done. After removing all the dirt and all the stains are gone, let it dry for 24 hours at room temperature. Once your leather is clean and dry, you can start conditioning. Leather Softening Process Technique 1: Coconut Oil Coconut oil has a lot of amazing use. It also good for conditioning and softening your leather boots. Before you start with the conditioning, let the leather product sit under the sunlight for 10 minutes. Anything more than that will be harmful to the leather so make sure that you are on the lookout. Exposure to sunlight will prepare the leather to accept the oil. Now, you can start by gently applying a layer of coconut oil and rubbing it on the surface using your fingers. Do small areas at a time until you’ve fully coated the entire leather product. While this is a popular softening technique, it does have a drawback. It darkens the material significantly. So, if you’re not sure that you like a darker shade of the leather that you have, test it out in an inconspicuous area. From there, you can decide if you’ll proceed with this technique or not. Technique 2: Petroleum Jelly and Alcohol If you want another technique, try using petroleum jelly and rubbing alcohol. To start, grab a cotton ball and soak it in alcohol. After, apply it to areas that you want to soften. You might need to repeat this a few times because alcohol tends to evaporate fast. After you apply alcohol to the areas you are targeting, apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly using an applicator or your fingers. If you’re having a problem with the darkening side effect of coconut oil, then you won’t have a problem with this technique. The leather does not change in color so you are safe. Technique 3: Water If you’re looking for a chemical-free way of softening, try doing this technique. Water is a good substitute for any chemical products that you might come across. To do this, use a spray bottle and spread a thin layer on every surface that you want to cover. Stop when the water starts to bead up and roll off. You want to dampen the leather not soak it. You want the water to seep into the leather without causing any saturation. After, gently wipe off any excess water to avoid cracking. Leave it to dry and finish off with a good quality conditioner. Before you try this, check if you’ve applied any water-proofing product. If that is the case, this technique will not work. The moisture will just roll off the leather and not absorb it. Technique 4: Commercial Products There are times when home remedies may not do the trick. While it’s a good place to start, there are times when you need a specifically crafted product. If you are looking for something stronger, head to your local store and find a product that is suitable for the type of leather that you have. Make sure that you read the instructions carefully. Also, make sure that you follow all the recommendations in the instructions precisely. To prevent your leather from drying out, you might need to reapply every year.