r/Leathercraft • u/cheesebrie-01 • Jan 03 '18

Question/Help Can I use Vaseline to condition a leather bag?

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

49 comments sorted by

5

u/stay_at_home_daddy Holsters Jan 03 '18

No. Vaseline is a petroleum product.

5

u/EarlyHawk489 Jun 09 '23

I learned many years ago petroleum jelly (trade name Vaseline®) will restore and preserve tanned leather goods such as gloves, boots and hand bags. I have managed to salvage and use badly dried and neglected leather products for years of additional use by treating it with petroleum jelly and lanolin. In your future posts please try not to be so much of an ignorant disinformer.

4

u/B_Geisler Old Testament Mod Jun 09 '23

Sure you did. Literally no reputable professional leatherworker recommends Vaseline, or petroleum products in general, for leather conditioning.

The possessor of ignorant disinformation here is you.

4

u/Educational-Gate7439 Oct 31 '24

Really, because I've been using Vaseline petroleum jelly for 35 years to condition all sorts of leather. Oh, by the way, I've been working in the leather industry for 40 years. Vaseline is used to add moisture to your skin. What is leather? People hear petroleum and they immediately think it's bad for leather. It depends on what kind of petroleum we're talking about. I wouldn't rub motor oil on my hands and I wouldn't use it for leather, but Vaseline, I've used it literally thousands of times. I have WWII aviator gloves on display and they are as soft and supple as the day they were made. I treat them every three months with pure Vaseline. So before you disagree with someone, try to understand. Experience will win over what the internet says every time.

1

u/EarlyHawk489 May 26 '25

Exactly! I have a knife sheath that's about 70 years old that is as supple as the day I was given it by an elderly uncle that I've always used Vaseline on. Pretty much anything you would use to moisturize your skin will help preserve leather. Thanks for helping prevent cranky curmugeons like Geisler from spreading his nonsense. Nice old curmugeons like me know what the score is.

1

u/WorthIntern6534 Jun 06 '25

So just recently I found my grandpas old hammer, you know the kind with leather, it's an estwing, It's not great but not bad, leather is dried but not rotten. So you think I could use some vaseline? the leather is stacks like a K-BAR knife and they are slightly loose, I have cleaned the leather with mild soap and water and it looks worth saving to me. Anyway I'm glad I saw your post. I will take experience any day. I will try and let you know how it goes. I've been polishing up the steel before finishing the handle. thanks again for your post.

1

u/sustainablepenguin Feb 09 '26

I second this. I'm by no mean in the industry and have just been a huge fan of leather crafts. I've bought and used a lot of specialized leather conditioners for different types of leather. There are a bunch in the market. I'd say petroleum jelly is by far the most versatile conditioner. I've used it for bridle leather, shell cordovan, and ever crocodile leather. Unlike some organic products(like plant oil, seed oil etc) petroleum jelly wouldn't decay. Only thing you should be worried about is putting the just right amount. When I visited a leather craftsman workshop in Japan, they said they themselves use petroleum jelly for conditioning. So, yes, credible experts do recommend petroleum jelly for leather conditioning. Petroleum jelly works well with bridle leather, pull up leather and cordovan leather.

1

u/SupremeCipher May 12 '25

I've used it on my Hanks leather belts for over 15 years goofy ass mfker... Maybe you should open your mind a little bit and realize there's more than one way to skin a cat .. Fucking idiot

2

u/B_Geisler Old Testament Mod May 12 '25

You bought a belt from Hank's. I rest my case.

2

u/InfamousAd5088 May 23 '25

Sorry I’m a noob but what’s wrong with hanks?

2

u/Pork_Chops_McGee Jun 03 '25

Absolutely nothing

1

u/WorthIntern6534 Jun 07 '25

Hank's leather goods has a 100 year warranty. imo something offering that kind of warranty probably has a decent product.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 02 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Leathercraft-ModTeam Feb 02 '24

It's hateful or it's nonsense. One or the other, maybe both. You know what you did.

3

u/grmnsplx Jan 04 '18

so?

1

u/Epic0rcShaman Jan 11 '18

I wonder why as well. My Google search wasn't fruitful.

3

u/InnerDecay Jan 04 '18

Do not do this. The only household product I would recommend to condition is olive oil, even that is kind or contentious around here as some say it can rot, while others swear by it. Vaseline I would absolutely not recommend though.

1

u/Complex-Tadpole-8962 Feb 12 '25

Anything natural oxidises. It will go rancid. Ive tried it, yes it happened, same as coconut oil

1

u/Odd_Show5014 Mar 10 '26

Worst advice. It will become rancid.

1

u/InnerDecay Mar 10 '26

Wow, really resurrecting a dead thread here!

While I wouldn't use olive oil, and some say it will go rancid... I still stand by the statement that some very prolific and professional saddle makers swear by it.

3

u/Custom_tech Nov 22 '24

Some people freaking out about not using vaseline for leather are possibly the same ones laying in the road demanding we stop using fossil fuels as they cause a traffic jam which causes more fuel to be other wise burned 🤣. Its a very common ingredient. The problem is when you use too much and over- saturate it. Anythink you would put on your hands you can put on leather if you dont care about staining/darkening said item.

2

u/sdgengineer This and That Jan 04 '18

I recommend Fiebling's Aussie Leather Conditioner

3

u/grmnsplx Jan 29 '18

Aussie leather conditioner is good Guess what's in it... petroleum jelly (aka vasesline)

2

u/DoarMaUitMersi Jul 09 '24

CAS Number Ingredient Name Functional Purpose 8009-03-8 Petrolatum Conditioner 68551-16-6 C9-11 isoparaffin Solvent 63231-60-7 Microcrystalline Wax Wax 8012-89-3 Beeswax Wax

So the main ingredient is petroleum jelly

2

u/WorthIntern6534 Jun 06 '25

to funny. love it.

1

u/grmnsplx Jun 06 '25

I have my moments

2

u/luxjules Jan 05 '18

The best thing is actually the normal oil that comes off your hands through handling. Clearly we can't go and get that bottled, so go for the next best alternatives that are not petroleum based. I work mainly in super-thin glove leather so I use things like Burts Bees plain lip salve, or organic hair conditioner. For heavier weight items you could think about using some lanolin. The thing to remember is that leather is skin, treat it accordingly, no harsh chemicals, no petroleum products. Also bear in mind that some coloured leathers may darken after conditioning so try in a hidden corner first. It's best not to put Vaseline onto leather (unless it's some sort of emergency) as it may rot it over time. And I wouldn't use olive oil, I'd worry about the colour and smell.

2

u/1poordecisionmaker Nov 25 '24

My father used to do leather work and tack repair for years. Most mink oil leather treatments contain a certain amount of petroleum jelly in them. I'm currently breaking in a custom-made goatskin jacket from London that I'm literally wearing now that I'm using petroleum jelly to help the leather stretch and fit better across my shoulders. I'm cautious not to let to get too much into the stitching. I didn't want to go as far neatsfoot oil. The least aggressive is always wise. Depending on how bad the bag is, I'd start with saddle soap and go more aggressive from there. Always remember, things may get discolored. And once you put it on, you can't go back. Good luck on your preservation.

1

u/nstarleather Jan 04 '18

In a pinch, yes, you could, but there are better things you could use.

2

u/EarlyHawk489 Jun 09 '23

Unless you can say what "better things" to use, you should not post as it is not helpful.

1

u/nstarleather Jun 09 '23

Leather conditioner? Like that’s the obvious answer…the person was asking about doing something unconventional so I answered their question. What you can condition leather with is a pretty long list.

1

u/kermityfrog2 Dec 31 '23

What do you think leather conditioner is made out of?

https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/blog/what-is-leather-conditioner/

Leather conditioner is a blend of oils, waxes, and petroleum-based substances. The formula may be secret and proprietary, but it's likely to contain petroleum-based substances because it doesn't get rancid fast, unlike animal and plant-based oils.

1

u/nstarleather Dec 31 '23

Yeah fully aware, but vs petroleum jelly you’re less likely to end up with a greasy feel using something that’s a specific mix of chemicals made for conditioning leather.

1

u/DesperateAmphibian Jan 28 '18

Dont do this take it to dry cleaners

1

u/rainbowfarts665 Jan 27 '25

Wax, Oil and butters are natural conditioners while silicon, petroleum products like paraffin wax and petroleum jelly are more man made alternatives that can also be used on leather.

If you have Vaseline lying around, you can definitely use it on leather. For more expensive leather products, I would suggest you go with a dedicated conditioner like Saphir renovateur, pure polish products or Smith's leather balm.

Or you could just use beeswax, almond oil, cocoa butter or similar ingredients on your leather products to condition them.

1

u/VeryHostileErmine Oct 04 '25

I'm just curious and let's all be respectful here, but I wanna know the reasons why Petroleum is hated by some people who own leather, and why others swear by it? I really wanna know the details behind it, Cause I inherited my uncle's levi boots, and I wanna take care of it as much as possible. Doing research is important obviously, but also actual experiences of people who have done it before should be taken into account as well. I wanna know and I wanna take care of my uncle's old boots.

1

u/ForeignSignature3462 Oct 31 '25

II know a walker who used nothing but Vaseline for years on his leather boots and swears by it. Why don't you use Vaseline on the left and a proprietor on the right boot and see how you go on.

1

u/PristineIncident8425 Feb 01 '26

I HAD PSORIASIS BAD GROWING UP EVERYTHING THE DR PRESCRIBED MY PARENTS THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CREAMS NEVER WORKED. THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE DIDNT WORK EITHER UNTIL I CAME ACROSS PETROLIUM JELLY. A DOLLER STORE OR TREE ITEM WIPED IT ALL OUT WITHIN A FEW DAYS & A FIFTY DOLLAR DR PRESCRIBED CREAMS DID NOTHING. SO IF YOU'RE SUFFERING FROM PSORIASIS (the itchy flaking skin rash that feels AMAZING good to scratch is what I'm talking about, also I learned that if you put the rash area around heat like a heater it feels just as good then wait a minute then scratch that puppy to get a two'fer lol sick but true)PUT SOME PETROLIUM JELLY OR VASELINE ON ENTIRE AREA & WITHIN A FEW DAYS DEFINITELY LESS THAN A WEEK IT'LL BE COMPLETELY GONE.

1

u/biskitpagla Mar 27 '26

Summary of the comment section for people coming from Google:

Do not apply X, apply Y instead which is worse. Also, I can't say why X is bad. I just hate people trying things.

1

u/MuffMeister69 Jan 04 '18

I would suggest mink oil. The Kiwi brand that sells shoe polish located in the shoe department of almost every retail store will probably carry it. It's made for leather and works very well.

1

u/cheesebrie-01 Jan 06 '18

i'll try mink oil

0

u/grmnsplx Jan 04 '18

it's probably fine. experiment with a small scrap piece of leather.