How to Make Leather Hides Soft

Higher grades of leather normally come from hides of younger animals.

Early inhabitants across North America tanned hides as a necessity for clothing before woven cloth was introduced by Europeans. Softening a leather hide takes talent, perseverance and practice. But once you have successfully mastered the art of softening leather hides, you are ready to turn those hides into one-of-a-kind items, such as jackets, handbags, belts, luggage or furniture upholstery. And with proper care, you can expect your leather items to last an average person's lifetime.

Things You'll Need

• Warm water
• Mild soap
• Long metal rod or 2 by 4 lumber frame
• Damp rags or moist sawdust
• Fine grade sandpaper or pumice stone

Instructions

Soften Hide by Pulling Method

1. Clean the leather hide with warm water and mild soap; rinse thoroughly with warm water.

2. Hang the hide over a long metal rod or 2 by 4 lumber frame in a shady, warm area to allow for slow drying.

3. Pull the hide back and forth on the frame to gently stretch and soften it. Continue pulling back and forth until thoroughly dry and no cool areas remain; this takes several hours.

4. Moisten any areas of hide that dry unevenly with damp rags or moist sawdust. The drier the hide, the closer you will have to remain to the work.

5. Soften the completely dry leather hide further by rubbing it with fine grade sandpaper or pumice stone.

Tips & Warnings

• If your hide feels cool, it is not thoroughly dry. There should be no coolness to the touch.

• If an area of the hide begins to stiffen, spritz it with water and continue pulling the hide back and forth on the frame.

References

• Manataka American Indian Council: Deer Hide Tanning
• bladeturner: Cleaning and Tanning Hides and Skins