According to green cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk of Clean Mama, if your leather seems dry or is losing its suppleness, it’s time for some conditioning. Here’s how to condition leather the all-natural way: One oil that has shown promising benefits for your favorite leather goods is lemon essential oil. All you need is a soft cloth and around 10 drops of the essential oil, which you can massage into your leather. But according to Rapinchuk, the best bet for a natural oil is beeswax. “Beeswax in a tub is my go-to. Look for all-natural beeswax in a tub that can be applied to a clean cloth and rubbed on the leather,” she adds. Direct light can discolor your leather, and as far as humidity levels go, too much can cause mildew and mold, and too little, of course, will dry out your leather, leading to cracking. The best environment for your leather is somewhere between 65 degrees and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and about 55% humidity. If storing boots or purses, you can pack them with parchment paper or leftover cushioned packaging material to help them hold their shape. (Newspaper ink can rub off on some materials—no thanks!) And of course, cleaning and conditioning your leather isn’t a one-and-done thing. If you want your leather to stand the test of time, Rapinchuk suggests using the beeswax method seasonally, or at least twice a year. “Spring (after the furnace is off) and fall are the best times to do this,” she notes.
