This Natural Ingredient Will Create A Protective Layer On Your Leather Furniture
Leather furniture is the epitome of luxury, but upkeep on these pieces can be a battle at times. Cracks, splits, distressing ... all of these can affect the integrity of your leather. Over time, your pieces might feel less luxurious than when you bought them, but one natural ingredient could be the solution to protecting them from general wear and tear. There are a variety of natural substances you can use to clean your leather pieces, but it's beeswax that can actually add a barrier to your material so that moisture and dirt don't penetrate and create mold, cracks, or tears. By using this natural wax, you're protecting furniture so that you don't have to repair it down the line.
Leather is an interesting material. If it gets too wet, it can fall apart, pulling in the moisture until it dries out and becomes brittle. Overly dry leather cracks, tears, and deteriorates over time. Conditions need to be just so to keep leather in good condition. Beeswax is an ideal solution, because it can help keep moisture in the material, but also acts as a water repellant to keep too much liquid from getting in. Think of this natural wax as the third bear in Goldie Locks: it helps your leather pieces stay just in the middle of hydrated and dry so that it looks and feels nice, and so it lasts longer.
Coat your leather in beeswax for a natural protectant
Measure out enough beeswax that it will cover the surfaces, but to avoid adding too much, which can leave furniture feeling sticky. If you use more than you need, it can create a surface where more dirt and grime can collect. Before applying, make sure to give your furniture a wipe down with a clean cloth, removing dust, pet hair, and other debris that could otherwise get stuck in the wax, or use castile soap to easily clean your leather. It's ideal if the material is warm or room temperature, so the beeswax can trap in the moisture that's already there. Avoid adding to cold leather. This might require adjusting your thermostat temporarily, or making sure to add beeswax during times your house is warm.
With another clean towel, pull some beeswax onto the cloth and gently rub it onto your leather. Start with small amounts, as you can always introduce more if you need it. Work in the wax with circular motions, then wait around 15 to 20 minutes, allowing it to adhere, before taking one more fresh cloth to buff the excess away. You will be able to tell if you need more, or if you should buff again to avoid sticky areas. Repeat this hack every two to three months to keep your leather in good condition. If you want to make your leather soft and supple using other natural ingredients, add vegetable glycerin before the beeswax, giving it plenty of time to dry and soak in before coating with wax.