How To Shrink Leather?

How To Shrink Leather

A question might pop up in your head: why on earth would somebody try to experiment with their precious leather accessory to make them smaller? What’s the necessity to shrink a certain leather item? Well, sometimes things don't fit perfectly even when you take a long time to make a buying decision. What if you lost a few pounds over the past 6 months and now your slim-fit leather jacket is not so fit anymore? Worry not because we might just have the perfect solution to this problem. Certain quality leather is malleable to shrinking but you need to have basic knowledge about the process. If you don't do it right, it is very likely that you might ruin the whole thing. We often believe that leather is an extremely sturdy material and won’t budge even if we try our best to make a few alterations. That’s not true.

Sometimes leather may need certain corrections and you can most definitely do it at home following certain guidelines. After a period of time and frequent rough use, leather can start to show signs of stretching. Leather is basically animal skin and has many characteristics similar to human skin. So to fix that issue, tightening seems like the perfect solution and for that, shrinking is what comes to mind. It is a complex procedure and requires some technical aspects to be kept in mind when it comes to premium leather products. Let’s learn more about how to make it work if you do decide to shrink your leather at home to make it fit perfectly.

How To Shrink Leather Jacket

How To Shrink Leather Jacket

Before getting started with the shrinking process, take care of any kind of dust particles or stains on your leather surface so you can focus on one thing at a time. Although, by applying lukewarm water and heat, it is quite possible to reach the desired result. This method is the simplest and is mostly used when a minimum amount of shirking is required. However, you need to keep in mind that too much water exposure can ruin the leather. Use a spray bottle to control the amount of water as per need. As long as a fashion leather jacket is concerned that also provides comfort and protection against harsh weather conditions, it may look super weird if not the perfect size. So throw your jacket in the washing machine with cold water. No need to add any detergent. After a round, take it out and spread it on a dry towel. Replace the towel once or twice. Remember, leather material doesn’t do well in the spinner so let it dry naturally. If you see any water stains, get rid of them immediately before they’re stuck and get permanent. Try it on and see if it fits better now? If not, repeat the process after 24 hours.

How To Shrink Leather Glove

How To Shrink Leather Gloves

You need to be extra careful when it comes to leather gloves because they’re small and the stitching is super delicate. So if you just realized that your fingers are too big for the gloves, don't plan on buying the new ones immediately because here’s a way to fix them. Take a small amount of leather detergent and mix it with water. Using a piece of cotton cloth, rub that detergent on your gloves in a circular motion. It will help get rid of any leather oil or moisturizing element and the shrinking agent will penetrate better. Mix equal parts of lukewarm water and rubbing alcohol and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Lay the gloves on a flat surface and start spraying the solution on both sides. Wrap them in a dry towel to get rid of excess water. Once dry, apply leather moisture for smooth texture and try them on.

How To Shrink Leather Shoes

How To Shrink Leather Shoes

Here comes the most fun part. Don't be confused if this process seems a little weird because it actually is. Seeing your favorite versatile shoes getting lose after stretching can be a bit heartbreaking. To shrink your leather shoes, all you need to do is get them wet. Take a bucket full of water and soak your shoes in it. Leave for about an hour and take them out. Put them in a spot facing downwards to rid of any excess water. Now put on a pair of socks and get your feet into the still wet shoes. This can help your shoes set to your feet size. Apply leather conditioner and moisturizer at the end.

There’s another way if soaking shoes in water scare you. Spritz warm water onto the surface of your shoes. Avoid getting water on the sole and base because water can ruin them. Dry them using a hairdryer or by putting them in sunlight but remember that too much heat exposure can damage the leather. Keep the temperature at a minimum while using a hairdryer and keep it at least 6 inches away from the shoes. Once dry, apply shoe polish specifically made for leather shoes to prevent dryness.

Lastly, too much and frequent water/heat exposure can damage leather beyond repair so it’s better to have your jacket or shoes treated with a waterproofing agent. And for cleaner, conditioner, and moisturizer for your leather items, go for the natural ones to avoid toxic and environmentally damaging products.