You are scratching your head wondering, “Isn’t linseed oil meant for wood?” Yes, but surprisingly it’s also an underrated superpower for leather. I once had a Gucci leather bag passed down to me by my aunt. Over time the leather faded. It took a dull and tired look, but the natural properties of the linseed oil came to the rescue and restored the glow of my bag.
But is linseed oil toxic? Can you use linseed oil on leather safely to get optimal results? I’ll explore the ins and outs of using linseed oil on leather in this article, uncovering its benefits, potential drawbacks, and questions hovering across your mind.
What is linseed oil
Linseed oil is obtained from flaxseeds, the seeds of the flax plant. When you press these seeds, they release rich, gold-colored oil known as linseed oil.
Linseed oil was embraced because of its excellent drying properties. Artists find this quality helpful in drying their paints faster and creating a glossy finish.
There are two ways to use linseed oil- in its raw or boiled form. The raw form is the natural state, unprocessed. The boiled linseed oil in contrast, is processed and undergoes manufacturing to brighten.
How is linseed oil made?
When you crush the dried and ripened seeds, and explore different methods to extract, the result is linseed oil. To get the most oil, extractors warm press the seeds. A better alternative to getting quality oil is to cold press it, which gives a purer version with low impurities.
After extraction, some manufacturers may refine the oil further by degumming or bleaching. And once the final output looks great, it is packaged in bottles for sale and consumption.
What is linseed oil used for?
Linseed oil comes in handy as a wood preservative, production of paints, oil coats, printing inks, and linoleum.
For wood, it helps prevent them from cracking and drying. When mixed with pigments, it creates quality paint that dries slowly, allowing artists to work longer.
Furthermore, food-grade Linseed oil also works as a nutritional supplement. It contains the highest level of ALA than any vegetable oil which makes it good for the body.
Can you use linseed oil on leather?
You can use linseed oil for treating and conditioning leather. Although not a popular choice, it could help soften, moisturise and protect your leather from cracks and dryness.
I recommend the processed version if you don’t know what oil to use on the leather. This is because, its raw form, linseed oil may cause discoloration and an unpleasant odor. You may also risk long-term damage to your leather.
How do you use linseed oil on leather?
The use case is simple. Use a brush or soft cloth to apply a thin layer of linseed oil on the leather surface in a circular motion.
But first, makes sure that the surface is dirt free. Then, distribute evenly, allow it to dry for a few minutes after penetrating the leather, and clear off excess oil with a clean cloth.
Do not apply it on your leather surface directly because it would make the surface greasy.
Pros of linseed oil
When you apply linseed oil to your leather, you stand to enjoy the following benefits:
Nourishment: Linseed oil dives it is also rich in natural oils, an ingredient that restores moisture in leather to prevent it from drying over time. Linseed oil also has uses in medicine as a supplement.
Softening: It could also work as a softening effect and a comfy solution for relaxing the leather. When applied correctly, it reduces stiffness by allowing the leather mold and conform to the object it covers.
Water resistance: Perhaps one of my most significant advantages is that when linseed oil is applied to leather, it creates a protective barrier on the surface. Even coconut oil on leather does not come close. This quality lets it repel water and moisture, preventing them from seeping into the leather. It also prevents damage such as warping, discoloration, or mildew growth.
Enhances natural beauty: Linseed oil has natural ingredients to strengthen. It deepens the color, highlights the grain, gives the leather a subtle sheen, and makes my vintage leather bag go from dull to glowing.
Long-lasting effects: Because linseed oil penetrates the leather fibers, it gives lasting nourishment and protection. This makes it more effective, unlike some surface-level treatments that wear off fast.
Cons of Linseed Oil
Although great on leather surfaces, linseed oil has its disadvantages.
Greasy residue: It can leave a sticky residue on the leather’s surface. From experience, this is hard to handle and if not taken care of, it attracts objects that come into contact making your leather prone to dirt and smudge. Your cleaning routine will also double for sure.
It may deteriorate: Over time, linseed oil causes the leather to become soft and stretchy. While this is a great way to restore old and dry leather, it isn’t great for leather items requiring firm structure and durability.
Also, unlike some leather conditioning products, linseed oil does not provide UV protection. Exposure to sunlight will make it fade and wear out over time.
Discoloration: Another drawback of linseed oil is that it may change the original color of your leather because it has darkening properties. Because of its stickiness, it also attracts dirt and dust, which gives your leather a dirty look.
FAQs
Can linseed oil soften leather?
Yes, it’s one of the best oils to soften leather because it contains natural properties that can penetrate and moisturize the leather.
Also, if your leather ever gets stiff, apply a cloth or brush on the surface. Let it dry, avoid exposure to heat sources or sunlight, and watch it become more flexible and softer. The downside, however, is the discoloration if you want to retain the original look.
Is linseed oil good for cleaning leather?
The biggest advantage of linseed oil for leather is its moisturizing abilities. If adopted as a sustainable measure for cleaning, it could result in damaging effects since leather only needs mild household solutions to keep clean.
And while linseed oil is great as a wood finish or oil painting ingredient. On leather, it leaves a residue that would make the cleaning process harder for leather. Your leather needs specific care that won’t have effects like discoloration, deterioration, etc.; linseed oil may not be the best for the task.
What kind of linseed oil is for leather?
Boiled linseed oil is the best option for leather. The reason is that, unlike raw linseed oil, it has undergone heating and refining to dry faster and become thicker.
This property is vital in helping the oil nourish and penetrate deeper into the leather. Check online retailers or your local hardware store if you don’t know where to buy linseed oil. Make sure the products are labeled as “boiled linseed oil” to guarantee you’re getting the right kind.
How long before wiping off linseed oil?
Based on experience, if you want to remove linseed oil, do so after the linseed oil is completely dried. This may take days or even several weeks, depending on the linseed oil type and the dryness condition. Trying to remove it when it’s not dried will disfigure the leather item.
If you’re unsure if it’s dried, do a small test by touching the coated surface. If it’s sticky, then you should chill it till it’s in a dry state.
How do you remove linseed oil from leather?
Varnish in oil paints and Linseed oil are similar, so the approach to removal is similar. If oil is still fresh on the leather surface, act fast. Scrape off the excess liquid from your leather gently and allow the remaining part to dry. Be careful not to rub the oil so you don’t spread the stain.
Make a mild solution and use a sponge to remove the remaining oil. If the stains prove stubborn, try a leather cleaner like the Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner on the spot. Rinse it when cleaning, and apply a leather conditioner following the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to allow it to remove any moisture, and you’re good.
What is the difference between linseed oil and virgin linseed oil?
Although used interchangeably, “linseed oil” and “virgin linseed oil” differ slightly in context. Linseed oil generally refers to oil obtained from flaxseed through pressing or solvent extraction. When labeled ‘virgin,” it means that the linseed oil was cold-pressed. In other words, it is extracted without chemicals, making it more natural and nutritional.
Also, the linseed oil is refined and has less impurity, including proteins and debris. Therefore, it is of lesser quality compared to virgin linseed oil.
Also, refined oil has a pale yellow color and a nutty smell I detest. Plus, its use cuts across industries like woodworking, manufacturing, and nutrition.
Can I mix linseed oil with vinegar?
Linseed oil and vinegar for leather sounds excellent, but I don’t recommend it. The reason is linseed oil is a drying agent, and vinegar is acidic in nature. The outcome of mixing both substances has proven that you may not get a favorable outcome, even though it conditions the leather.
Moreover, acidic vinegar can interfere with the drying process of the linseed oil, leaving you with a sticky or half-done surface. For leather, I suggest you look into cleaning agents and conditioners tailored to leather.
Final Words
Linseed oil is a good option for moisturizing and keeping your leather soft. Plus, it cuts across different industries like art, medicine, and woodwork.
Still, it has other disadvantages like discoloration, bad smell, and deterioration. And if you don’t take care, especially in the application process, it could leave a negative impression.
So yes, you can use linseed oil on leather. But I turn it to you to weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s worth it. From experience, short term, it could be a perfect solution. But for the long term, try a solution customized to leather as a sustainable measure.
